Winning a Chita Rivera Award is already a career-defining moment. Doing it while starring in the Tony-winning Best Musical is another.
When I sat down with Max Clayton, the Schmigadoon! star was exactly what you’d hope from someone playing the show’s charismatic troublemaker Danny Bailey: funny, thoughtful and refreshingly candid. During our conversation, he pulled back the curtain on life inside Broadway’s biggest musical, reflected on growing up as a queer kid dreaming of the stage and even revealed the surprisingly painful secret behind one of the show’s biggest dance numbers.
Spoiler: it involves needles.
Finding Broadway
Clayton has spent years building an impressive Broadway résumé, appearing in Chicago, The Music Man, Moulin Rouge!, Hello, Dolly! and more. But the road started long before the bright lights of New York.
He told me that watching his older sister perform first sparked his fascination with theater.
“Seeing her on the stage is the first time I understood the magic that was possible,” Clayton said. “I wasn’t a part of the community yet, but I just saw what it meant to her and how she came to life.”
College became the turning point.
Attending the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati felt, in his words, like a “four-year boot camp.” Around the same time, he made his first trip to New York and watched The Producers from the last row of the mezzanine.
“I was watching these people do the most incredible things, and I thought, ‘That’s got to be the most fun job ever.'”
Years later, he found himself performing on that very same stage in Something Rotten! alongside actors who had appeared in The Producers.
“It was one of those pinch-me moments,” he said.
Bringing Heart to Danny Bailey
Danny Bailey may enter Schmigadoon! as the town’s resident bad boy, but Clayton never wanted audiences to see him as one-dimensional.
“I was adamant about making Danny approachable,” he explained.
Rather than leaning into the character’s rebellious reputation, Clayton searched for the softer side hidden underneath.
“He’s misunderstood. My favorite parts are when you get to crack his shell and see the boyish, fun-loving guy underneath.”
Working opposite Sarah Chase became one of his favorite parts of the production, allowing those quieter moments to balance Danny’s swagger.
Clayton also looked to classic movie musicals for inspiration, hoping to channel some of Gene Kelly’s effortless charm into the stage adaptation.
The Broadway Secret Hidden in His Shoes
One of Schmigadoon!‘s biggest showstoppers is Danny’s explosive performance of “You Can’t Tame Me.” The audience sees dazzling choreography and perfect comic timing.
What they don’t see is what’s happening inside Clayton’s shoes.
When I asked about the most unexpected skill he’d developed during the production, he laughed before revealing a backstage trick I never saw coming.
“Probably dancing with three needles in my shoe.”
Yes, actual needles.
For the show’s balloon-popping finale, his dresser places three pins inside the side of his shoe so Clayton can pop balloons in sync with the orchestra using his feet.
Many audience members assume there’s a hidden mechanism doing the work.
“There isn’t,” he laughed. “It’s actually my feet.”
The trick forces him to rethink every step leading up to the finale.
“I have to make sure I don’t kick the balloons too soon or scratch Sarah,” he joked.
It’s one of those bits of Broadway magic audiences rarely get to hear about.
Eight Shows a Week Without Losing the Spark
Performing the same role eight times every week could easily become repetitive, but Clayton says “You Can’t Tame Me” almost refuses to let that happen.
“There are so many sections and layers,” he said.
The choreography, orchestrations and physical demands require complete focus, leaving little room for autopilot.
Whenever he needs to recenter, he returns to one simple rule.
“Look your scene partner in the eyes and be in the space with them.”
Having a cast that genuinely enjoys performing together helps, too.
“We’re able to have the best time in the show.”
Creating a Role Changed Everything
Although this marks Clayton’s 10th Broadway production, Schmigadoon! represents a major first.
“This is the first time I’m creating a role.”
That creative freedom reshaped how he views future projects.
Throughout rehearsals, the company was encouraged to bring their authentic selves into every scene.
“It really was trust,” Clayton said.
Now, he’s hoping to chase that feeling throughout the rest of his career.
“When you have that energy in a room, you really do get better work out of it.”
What Queer Community Means to Him
As our conversation turned toward theater’s long history as a home for LGBTQ+ artists, Clayton became visibly reflective.
Growing up in New Hampshire with what he describes as a loving family, he never imagined he’d one day be living so openly while performing on Broadway.
“I get to be my true, honest self.”
Walking through the stage door each day isn’t something he takes for granted.
“To come to the theater every day, be with these people and tell this story as my authentic self is the greatest treat ever.”
He knows not everyone gets that experience in their workplace.
“I feel really lucky.”
The Message He Hopes Audiences Carry Home
Near the end of our interview, Clayton’s tone shifted after mentioning the recent loss of fellow performer Josh Grisetti, a tragedy that has deeply affected many in the theater community.
That loss has only reinforced the message he hopes audiences leave with after seeing Schmigadoon!.
“Tell the people you love that you love them.”
He paused before adding another reminder.
“You can never check in enough. You can never say, ‘I love you’ enough.”
For all of Schmigadoon!‘s dazzling choreography, big laughs and classic musical spectacle, Clayton believes that’s the show’s lasting impact.
“No one expects to be so moved.”
After talking with him, it’s easy to understand why audiences leave the theater laughing, wiping away tears and perhaps texting someone they love before they even make it home.
Schmigadoon! is now playing on Broadway. For tickets and more information, click here to purchase tickets and experience the Tony Award-winning musical for yourself.
