Currently making her Broadway debut in the Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical Operation Mincemeat, Long Island native Amanda Jill Robinson – appearing as WWII MI5 Intelligence Officer Johnny Bevan and fifteen others (including British novelist Ian Fleming) in the show’s new all-American ca st – is a Philadelphia/NYC-based actor, singer, multi-instrumentalist, writer, composer, arranger, music director, and co-creator and half of the comedy duo Ruth and Estelle on their popular 2018 podcast Learning Through Laughter, available for listening on Apple and Spotify. Amanda Jill Robinson as Johnny Bevan. Photo courtesy of Operation Mincemeat. Robinson established herself on the Philadelphia stage, racking up fifteen minutes after fifteen minutes of fame with her roles in Cinderella, Blithe Spirit, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, The Gifts of the Magi, A Christmas Carol, and Winter Wonderettes at the historic Walnut Street Theatre (America’s oldest theater, established in 1808), in addition to her appearance, both acting and playing the violin, in the world premiere of John Guare’s Lydie Breeze Trilogy at EgoPo Classic Theater, and her Barrymore-nominated performance in Man of La Mancha at Act II Playhouse in Ambler, PA, among other notable regional credits. Excited to be back in New York after most recently workshopping Sarah Rose Kearns’ adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion as the character Mary Musgrove (a role she originated in 2017) and serving as Music Director/Arranger, AJ kindly made time in her busy Broadway performance schedule to answer our quick questions about herself and her flourishing career so our readers, her fans, and Operation Mincemeat’s devoted “Mincefluencers” can get to know her a little better, both on stage and off. 1. What three emotions did you feel when made your Broadway debut? AJ: Honored, proud, exhausted.  2. What do you find most relatable about your character in Operation Mincemeat? One of the sixteen characters I get to play (the most out of the five tracks in the show!) is my dearest Francis Haselden, who, despite being incredibly sweaty, is truly just trying his best. I find that to be the most relatable and human thing about him. He takes whatever mishaps that come his way with a little pump-up dance and a can-do attitude, and I find it incredibly endearing. 3. Is there one line or move in the show that you always look forward to performing? In Act Two, Colonel Bevan gets to bellow out “these men’s lives are not a joke,” after putting up with one too many smart remarks from Monty. Bevan serves as our tie to the gravity and reality of the war, and I believe he’s the perfect dramatic foil to Monty in that sense. It’s so much fun to lean into that contrast throughout the show and then really let those words land like lead – the whole theater falls silent and we get to feel that weight and reality check collectively.  Amanda Jill Robinson (second from left) and the cast of Operation Mincemeat. Photo by Matthew Murphy. 4. What’s the most memorable reaction you’ve ever gotten from an audience member? When I was an understudy, I went on for a week as Jean Leslie and it was incredibly shocking and moving to meet all the young women at the stage door who shared how much they resonated with my Jean’s go-getter/spitfire energy. Their passion fueled me for a thrilling week of pure girl power – a welcome shake-up to playing men full time! 5. Who’s been the biggest inspiration in your career?    My grandmother Fran – she was a lifelong theater lover and my greatest cheerleader. Making my debut without her here was especially bittersweet. 6. What’s your first creative memory? Fourth grade early bird choir; my best friend and I would make up songs on the keyboard before everyone else arrived.  7. Do you have one role that’s been a favorite to date? Fanny Brice in Funny Girl. 8. Is there a role or show you’d like to play in the future? A production of Sweeney Todd where I’d get to alternate between Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett every night.  9. What three things do you always have in your dressing room? Pictures of family, a favorite coffee mug, an element of nature (I’ve got some good rocks and an acorn right now).           10. What do you do for fun when you’re not working? Soak in as much nature time as possible. And I’d be lying if I said a browse through TJ Maxx doesn’t give me the same adrenalin rush as a triple espresso. I’m a Maxxinista through and through!  11. If you weren’t an actor, what career path would you have pursued? Medieval historian. I remember writing my first-ever research paper in middle school about the Plague, and the Met Cloisters is my favorite museum in the city.  Amanda Jill Robinson. Photo by Michael Kushner. 12. What three words would you use to describe yourself?  Genuine, observant, efficient. 13. If you were interviewing yourself, what question would you ask? As an American telling a British WWII story, how do you relate to the themes of Operation Mincemeat? 14. And what would your answer be? My grandpa John served in WWII as a Staff Sergeant. He would often speak of his time overseas and how he never viewed himself as a brave hero – they did what they had to do. It feels incredibly kismet now to be playing a Colonel who also happens to be named John. It gives me chills every night I get to sing his lyric in the opening number: “we are not heroes, we play our part . . . and when this war is done and fades to dust, there’s no applause or fame for us.” I try my best to channel that sense of selfless duty in honor of both of my grandfathers and every veteran of conflict, past and present.  15. What’s the best thing about being famous? Once at a fully booked pizza place, I got a table for my wife and me! #bigleagues Thanks, AJ, for sharing a fabulous fifteen minutes with us. Congratulations on Operation Mincemeat and your burgeoning fame on Broadway! Operation Mincemeat plays through January 17, 2027, at the Golden Theatre, 252 W 45th Street, NYC. For tickets (priced at $59-499, including fees), call (212) 239-6200, go online. ...read more read less