What's Up, Matt Doyle? The Mormon Star on His New Superhero Musical and Spring Awakening Reunion

Matt Doyle has thrilled New York audiences in some of the exciting and groundbreaking (not to mention Tony-winning) productions of the past five years, including Spring Awakening, War Horse and, currently, The Book of Mormon. Now he reunites with Spring Awakening director Michael Mayer to lead a weekend presentation of A New Musical Inspired by the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company at Vassar College. Part of New York Stage and Film’s Powerhouse Theater Season, the new rock musical runs July 26 through July 28 only. Broadway.com caught up with Doyle to get the skinny on this super show, why Mormon is still “a blast” and more.

So what attracted you to A New Musical Inspired by The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company?
I have known Peter Lerman, the composer, for a few years now, and I think he’s absolutely brilliant. When he first played me some music for this, I was blown away. I can honestly say it’s one of the most exciting rock scores I’ve ever heard, so as a young rock singer, I was extremely drawn to this project. The music is my greatest dream come true. And on top of that, the book is absolutely hilarious; Simon Rich [son of former Times critic Frank Rich] has written something really smart and really funny. I would kind of compare it to something like The Incredibles.

Were you into superheroes growing up?
I was, actually; I was a big comic book geek. I drew a lot growing up and I made a lot of comic books. I had characters that I did books and books of named Super Dude and Googolplex; they were characters that I loved to death and drew over and over again.

What’s your dream super power?
My dream super power, absolutely, would be to fly. Everybody’s ultimate dream is just to be able to lift off the ground. That would be unbelievable.

This cast is like a mini Spring Awakening reunion [Gideon Glick, Remy Zaken, Alice Lee, Gerard Canonico]. Have you been swapping stories from days gone by?
Oh, it’s wonderful. Spring Awakening was and always will be a family. We were all so young, and it was kind of our high school and college experiences, so to meet up with everyone again, we just pick up where we left off. It’s amazing to see how much everyone has grown and where everyone has gone in their lives, and it’s really nice to get to work with each other again.

What is your most distinct memory from that time?
Just being completely swept up in a phenomenon that none of us really understood at the time. It was a very, very overwhelming, crazy journey that all of us—for the rest of our careers—will look back on. I think that’s why we’re still so connected and interested in watching where each other goes.

A question about your boyfriend, Matilda cast member Ryan Steele: What’s the best part about dating someone else on Broadway? Does the attention from fans affect you?
We’re pretty open about our relationship, and so we’re kind of used to that aspect [the fans]. The best part is probably the schedule and being with somebody who understands everything about doing eight shows a week. What it is to be an actor—the ups and downs—they understand.

What’s new with your original music? What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m on hold, just because I’m trying to focus on doing eight shows a week over at Book of Mormon; but I’ve written some new songs, and, as soon as I have more free time, it will definitely be something that I return to.

How long do you have left in Mormon? Anything exciting coming down the pike?
I’ll be with Mormon through the rest of year, and I don’t know what the next chapter is—whether it will be with Mormon, or who knows? I am very much in love with my job over at The Book of Mormon. Going to work is so easy, because everybody is so supportive. Every show is fun because I never know what to expect; it’s just a blast.

Do you want to do more film? TV maybe?
Yeah, I would love to. I’ve always said that theater is my home, but if TV gigs roll along, it’s something I’d love to pursue, as well.

Check out Matt Doyle in A New Musical Inspired by the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company at Vassar College July 26 through July 28, and in Broadway’s The Book of Mormon.