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Created by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, Apple TV+’s Schmigadoon! embodies both the best parts of romantic comedies and musical theater. Centered on a couple that’s having more than a little trouble communicating, the show uses the power of song and dance to help the pair better understand themselves and each other. At its heart, Schmigadoon! is really about being brave enough to speak one’s truth and accepting others as much as you accept yourself.
The musical series follows a diehard musical fan and doctor named Melissa (Cecily Strong), who spends more time dreaming of a better relationship than communicating her needs. Her boyfriend Josh (Keegan-Michael Key), also a doctor, uses sarcastic humor to evade being vulnerable. When the arguing couple stumbles into Schmigadoon!, a 40s-era town that functions like a musical, the duo breaks up and decides to search for love inside this strange town. Josh eventually meets Miss Emma (Ariana DeBose), the town’s clever schoolmarm, who helps Josh better understand himself. In an interview with CBR, DeBose broke down the power of musicals and her favorite parts of Schmigadoon!‘s incredibly detailed set design.
CBR: You portray Miss Emma, the town’s school teacher, and she’s a character who’s just not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believes in. Was that part of what attracted you to playing this role?
Yes. I think Miss Emma is all of those things that you mentioned. She struck me as someone who doesn’t sacrifice her sense of self for love, which I thought was really refreshing in a musical that’s seemingly taking place in the 1940s space. She is both a feminist and incredibly feminine. I really admired those characteristics in her. I thought it was really exciting to present the way that I present and embody Emma in this body. It was a win-win for me.
Schmigadoon!‘s set is beautiful. It really looks like a whole town, especially the schoolhouse that was actually built on set. When you first arrived, what was one detail that you saw that audiences might have missed?
It’s a little thing — I actually think we used it in the context of the choreography — but there’s a little mini xylophone on her desk. I was like, “Wow.” I feel like maybe I had one teacher when I was growing up who had something like that? But you don’t see that every day. There was a bell where they actually would [ring it]. That’s what school teachers did. They used a little bell to call to attention. These days, we all shout at each other. I love those little details.
Or even… There are a few Easter eggs in the schoolhouse number, “With All of Your Hearts”, so pay attention to the blackboards.
In Episode 4, your character has an amazing arc that really digs deeper into Miss Emma. And you have such amazing chemistry with Keegan-Michael Key. What was it like developing that dynamic on-screen with him?
Gosh, it was like pulling teeth. That Keegan-Michael Key is so hard to work with! No, we had a great time. Keegan and I, were reuniting after The Prom — which was a very different circumstance. My job was playing a 17-year-old character, and we didn’t have that much interaction so [Schmigadoon!] was really nice. We spoke about it a couple of different times. He’s like, “You’re so growing.” And I was like, “But wasn’t I always?”
He’s such a loving and giving scene partner. Honestly, I felt very inspired by him. Watching him work, he never does the same thing twice. He’s constantly digging for more nuance. What else can I add? How can I shift this? Even the slightest bit to make it even more dynamic? And he’s a cheerleader. He was always cheering me on. I really appreciated it. Because, to be honest, I was a little nervous. But when you have someone like a Keegan… It’s not that hard to fall in love with them on screen.
Speaking about on-screen characters, what was it like doing such intricate choreography with so many schoolchildren?
Yes, you make a great point. Yeah, we shot this in the middle of a pandemic. I normally feel like we probably would have gotten even more rehearsal time than what was available to us. But those kids, man, they came in so ready to work, so hungry to learn and do a good job. They were always on it. In fact, I think they were a little more on it than I was at times. They made it a pleasure and joy. So receptive, so talented. It’s on the screen.
Tap is honestly… It’s not a dance form that I normally take on. Ariana DeBose is not known for being a tapper. So there were a couple of moments where the kids were able to help me and we would practice together. And I really loved that. I love kids. I actually love teaching. I don’t do as much of it as I’d like, but it was a joy. It’s nothing but joy in Schmigadoon!
Schmigadoon! is streaming now on Apple TV+, with new episodes debuting Fridays.
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