Hometown: Brooklyn
Education: B.A. in Books from Harvard University
Select Credits: A Happy End (Off Broadway: Abingdon Theatre Company), Charlotte's Web (National Tour: Theatreworks USA), Drunk Shakespeare (NY: Three Day Hangover), Punk Rock (Regional: Zeitgeist Stage Company)
Why theater?: The job security. Or the pay. Hard to choose. I actually went to college thinking I'd become a politician. I hated my first college economics class, and loved my first college play. So after that first semester I was like, "well that was a terrible idea." And here I am.
Who do you play in EverScape?: Devo. Tech support drone by day, mace-wielding healer by night. He's a hard worker, and a loyal friend. Oh God he's a Hufflepuff.
Tell us about EverScape: I'm very lucky to be working with a group of incredibly talented artists, who tell an awesome story about four people who attempt to find purpose in a video game but lose themselves in the process. Also, STAGE COMBAT.
What is it like being a part of EverScape?: It's like when I pretended to be video game characters as a kid but my scene partners are actors instead of patient parents, a baby brother, and an angry cat. The show's a blast but I've got bruises in places I didn't know there could be bruises. STAGE. COMBAT.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I'm a jaded New Yorker in many ways, but I'm very much still an awe-struck tourist at Broadway shows. Nothing is more inspiring to me than seeing a packed Broadway house, especially for shows that are just mind-blowing feats of athleticism and artistry, like Hand to God, Curious Incident, Book of Mormon, etc.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Harry Potter. Waiting on the reboot. Or Peter Pan. Really I guess I'm a good fit for any pre-pubescent magic boy.
What’s your favorite showtune?: "Defying Gravity", hummed by 100 girls in the lobby of the Wicked EPA.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Sir Ian. Sir Ian. Sir Ian. Pretty self explanatory.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: A young Eddie Redmayne, and it would be called "Phil Thinks He Looks Like Eddie Redmayne Please Just Let Him Have This One"
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Hamilton. I know it's still running but I need to go back in time to actually get a ticket.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Play
That Makes Phil Cry Every Goddamn Time
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: "Trapped in the Closet: an R. Kelly Hip-Hopera"
What’s up next?: Hot As Hell, a short film inspired by the NYC multi-shower summer day.
For more on Phil, visit philgillen.com
