INTERVIEW: ‘Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical’ returns with one-night-only concert
Photo: Constantine Rousouli stars in Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical. Photo courtesy of Vivacity Media Group / Provided with permission.
Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical, based on the hit 1999 film starring Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair, gathered a tremendous cult following when it ran off-Broadway and on national tour. Now, the musical is back for a one-night-only concert event Sunday, Dec. 19 at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood. For audience members who cannot attend in person, streaming tickets are available via Stellar.
The show tells the story of Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil, step-siblings who have “cruel intentions.” They set up an evil contest for Sebastian to woo the daughter of their school’s new headmaster. Love has nothing to do with the equation, until it does, and then all bets are off. Fans should recognize the story not only from Cruel Intentions the movie, but also Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the original French novel, which itself was adapted into a play.
The soundtrack for the evening comes courtesy of the hitmakers from the 1990s, including Goo Goo Dolls, No Doubt, R.E.M., Boyz II Men, Ace of Base, Jewel, ‘NSYNC, Counting Crows and The Verve.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Constantine Rousouli, the original Sebastian, who is returning for this concert event. He will be joined by original star Janel Parrish. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
Was it easy to slip back into this role once again? How much did you remember?
I love this role so much. It’s embedded into me forever, lol. It’s so easy to slip back into Sebastian. Surprisingly after reading the script once through, it all came shuffling back in.
What do you like about playing the character Sebastian Valmont?
He’s definitely the bad boy with the bad rep, but underneath his hard exterior, he has so much heart. That’s what I love about playing this role. He has so many different layers to pull back. Makes the payoff in the end way more exciting.
Are you a fan of the original movie?
Huge fan of the original movie! I stole it from Blockbuster when I was a teen; that’s how much I loved the movie, lol.
How about these iconic ’90s songs, are you a big fan of those as well?
I grew up on all these songs on the radio, so it’s very nostalgic to sing them in a full-blown musical. Love them so much!
How have you been during the COVID-19 pandemic?
This neverending ongoing pandemic really tests you for sure. I just took the beginning of the pandemic one day at a time. Tried to just keep my mind and body right. Meditation and putting in the mental health work really helped me through this.
What’s up next for you?
I co-wrote and am leading a new musical comedy called Titanique with all Celine Dion songs. It’s as if Celine was on the ship that night. What really happens through her eyes and songs? It’s extremely fun and will have you laughing the second you sit down in your seat. We will be opening off-Broadway next summer.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical, featuring Constantine Rousouli, will have a one-night-only concert event Sunday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. PT at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood. Streaming tickets are available via Stellar. Click here for more information and tickets.
