It’s been a busy month for triple threat Sam Harvey, an actor, singer, self-described “mover/groover,” and rotating member of The Boy Band Project, racking up more and more of his burgeoning fifteen minutes of fame with a workshop reading of a new, as yet untitled work for Virgin Atlantic, in whose October workshop of Coyote Ugly Live he starred, an appearance with The BBP at the Jane Elissa Extravaganza (a benefit to raise funds for cancer research, where he performed group covers of boy-band hits and a blockbuster solo on the show tune “Out There”), the popular bi-monthly Boy Band Brunch at City Winery NYC, and preparation for an upcoming entertainment cruise to the Caribbean with Celebrity Cruises in December. Sam Harvey. Photo by Deb Miller. Born and raised in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Harvey moved to NYC to pursue his career in musical theater over a decade ago. A 2013 graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), his stage credits include off Broadway and regional shows (among them, his lead role as Quasimodo in this past summer’s production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at his hometown’s Theatre West), and the 10th anniversary National Tour of Rock of Ages (as bad boy rock star Stacee Jaxx). And he is currently nominated for a Broadway World Award for his performance as good guy rocker Drew in Rock of Ages this past May at the San Antonio Broadway Theatre. Despite his hectic schedule, the in-demand Sam made some time for our questions, to share his personal thoughts and favorites, and to let his fans get to know him a little better off stage for a fabulous fifteen minutes. 1. What are you most thankful for this year? Sam: The chances I have to be on stage. 2. What’s your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? About six or seven years ago, my wife started a tradition the night before Thanksgiving, when we host any of our siblings who are in the city – and three of them now live in New York. We do charcuterie and wine, and the next morning we have cinnamon rolls and coffee, then we watch the parade. 3. What do you do for fun when you’re not working? Oh my goodness! I’m a workaholic, so if I’m not working, I’m planning whatever I’ll be working on next! 4. What three words would you use to describe yourself? Clown. Chaotic. Zany. Sam Harvey (right) with Travis Nesbitt in The Boy Band Project’s Boy Band Brunch. Photo by Katie Harvey. 5. What do you enjoy most about being live on stage? Making people happy and being a maniac on stage! 6. What three emotions do you feel when you’re performing? Joy. Love. Gratitude. 7. What’s your first creative memory? I watched Mary Poppins every day when I was five and I moved the furniture around so I could jump from couch to couch! I wasn’t performing in front of anyone, but it made me feel so good just doing it. That was it! 8. Who or what has been the biggest inspiration in your career? My big brother, who’s nine years older than me. Our family is very sports oriented, and he was not, so he joined the choir and opened them up to that world. As the younger sibling, I wanted to be like him, so I thought, I gotta try this, and I started singing, too. 9. Which boy band type are you most like in real life – the Sporty One, the Boy Next Door, the Sensitive One, or the Bad Boy? There’s a reason why I’ve played all four tracks with The Boy Band Project – I’m a little bit of all of them. And ticklish, so that also means I’m sensitive! 10. Do you have a favorite boy band song that you always look forward to singing? “Quit Playing Games with My Heart” – I really like the body-roll section in that song. 11. What’s the most memorable reaction you’ve ever gotten from a fan? A woman on a cruise yelled, “I want to ‘BLEEP’ that one” and pointed at me. I didn’t hear what she said, I just saw her pointing, so I gave her a thumbs up. Then JJ (Jesse JP Johnson from The Boy Band Project and Wicked on Broadway) told me what she said, and I thought, “OH MY GOD!!! Sam Harvey as Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages. Photo by Danny Sze. 12. What is it about hair? It’s just an experiment really. I had it short all my life so I’m just letting it go – and it’s getting a lot of attention. 13. Has there been one place you’ve traveled on an entertainment cruise that stands out as your favorite? Yes, Alaska is an amazing itinerary; Chris (Messina) and I went to Icy Strait Point and had Bloody Marys. We also stopped in the Azores – and is THAT beautiful! 14. Is there a show, role, or song that’s on your dream list for the future? Yes, & Juliet, either as Shakespeare or Romeo. And there’s that whole boy band moment in it, so it feels perfect for me. 15. What’s the biggest lure of being famous? I think it’s just that I want to be seen in what I do, so the more eyes that are on me, it helps with getting more opportunities to make art. And the money doesn’t hurt! Sam Harvey. Photo by Emily Croft. Thanks, Sam, for blocking out time in your fully booked calendar to talk – it’s always great to catch up with you! I look forward to seeing you again soon with The Boy Band Project and in your other upcoming shows. Boy Band Brunch plays two Saturdays a month (Sam will next appear on January 11, 2025), at City Winery NYC, Pier 57, 25 Eleventh Avenue, NYC. For tickets (priced at $35, brunch not included), go online.