Ben Platt on ‘The People We Hate at the Wedding’: ‘I remember a lot of on-set singing and harmonizing’ 

The actor said the rom-com was an opportunity to bond with fellow musical theatre nerd, Kristen Bell 

Choosing to play Paul in the rom-com, The People We Hate at the Wedding was an easy decision for Ben Platt. Speaking over a video call from New York City, (“Right on the park, it is a very nice day,”) Ben says, “During the pandemic, Claire Scanlon (director) reached out via my reps and asked if I would read the script and see if I connected to it. I read it and immediately thought it was sweet, warm and funny. I loved the character of Paul and the idea of playing somebody that was a little closer to myself than I usually play. I spoke to Claire once and loved her as well.”

Paul, Ben says is sarcastic and a little self effacing. “He means well. He has good intentions, and is sensitive. He is still finding himself in his adulthood. He relies a little too much on his relationship to define everything and in the movie learns how to be his own person.”

Choosing roles, differs from project to project, the 29-year-old actor says. “The character is the most important thing. Is it something I feel excited about playing? Will I do a good job? Do I feel like it is too similar to something I’ve already done? Does it meet me in terms of where I am in my life? Is it the right thing for me?” Are some of the questions Ben asks himself before signing on the dotted line. “At this moment, much like anybody else, I was looking to do something joyful, funny and uplifting. This came at the right time.”

No role is off the table for Ben. “I am pretty open but I am not a big horror person, because I’m afraid of most horror films. Maybe doing a film would help me not be so afraid because I could see how they are made. I probably would be nervous, but if it was the right thing I bet I will still do it. As long as it is a good script, a nice character and a good director, then I am on board.”

Ben, who began his career in musical theatre, winning a Tony, Emmy and Grammy for his role in Dear Evan Hansen, bonded with his co-star Kristen Bell, who plays his sister, Alice in the movie, over musical theatre. “I remember a lot of on-set singing and harmonizing with Kristen. She and I have been mutual fans for a long time but haven’t had the opportunity to work together. We both come from musical theater and are big, big musical theater nerds.”

Ben’s favourite musical is Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George. “I’ve always dreamt of doing that role.”  

With two studio albums under his belt, apart from acting on Broadway, film and television, Ben says he enjoys live performance. “Whether it is musical theater, which is acting and music, or concerts and touring, they are my favourites.”