It has been seven years since I last interviewed Actor Max Crumm! At that time they were starring in the Off-Broadway play Hot Mess alongside Lucy DeVito.

I am so excited to catch up with Max as they get ready to start performances for the new Off-Broadway musical That Parenting Musical.

In this NEW interview, Max once again answered my call, but this time around they share:

• What audiences will relate to most when watching That Parenting Musical
• Why they wanted to be in the show
• What they have held onto from their own childhood
• Their favorite cartoons
• So much more

Connect with Max: Instagram

In That Parenting Musical, two sleep-deprived parents navigate their new reality, juggling a danger-prone toddler, an overlooked younger sibling, and the ever-present "official mom uniform"—yoga pants. This new musical explores the joys, challenges, and absurdities of parenthood, and so much more.

That Parenting Musical will play Theatre Row (Theatre 3) through November 3, 2024. 

Max Crumm and the cast of That Parenting Musical
Photo Credit: That Parenting Musical Press Event

1. This fall you are going to be performing in the New York premiere of an original musical, That Parenting Musical. What attracted you to this show? The initial attraction was the chance to reunite with Director Jen Wineman after a bit of a hiatus. We had an absolute blast working together on an Off-Broadway musical back in 2013 called Brooklyn Crush (formerly known as F%#king Up Everything). I'm pretty sure Call Me Adam even has an onstage interview of us from that time!

In addition, The Score of That Parenting Musical is earworming-ly intelligent and delicious! It is some of my most favorite music I have ever had the privilege to sing, but let's be honest, the real draw was getting to play a toddler!

2. What do you feel audiences will relate to most about this show? If you're a parent, there are some really beautiful moments in the show that feel like they were made just for you. I mean, how often do you get a musical that’s all about the joys and challenges of parenting? At its core, the show is all about teamwork, unconditional love, The Ins, The Outs, The Ups, The Downs, and all the chaos in between. If you’ve ever been outsmarted by a 3-year-old, you’ll definitely relate!

3. For those of us who don't have children, why do you think we would also enjoy That Parenting Musical? There’s a character in the show called MOM FRIEND, and trust me, everyone in that category will totally relate to her. Plus, let’s not forget—we’ve all been babies, toddlers, and kids at some point. You’ll find yourself laughing, reminiscing, and maybe even saying, ‘Oh yeah, I definitely pulled that stunt when I was 4.

Max Crumm and the cast/creative team of That Parenting Musical
Photo Credit: That Parenting Musical Press Event

4. In the show, you play a toddler. How do you prepare for a role like this? People often call me a Muppet or a marionette, which is just a fun way of saying I’m a bit of a human cartoon. The rainbow onesie I wear for most of the show really helps me get into character—it’s like stepping into a dream role! Oh, and lots of stretching.

5. According to press notes some of the songs in the show include "The Most Dangerous Thing in the Room" & "Toddler Travel Travesty." I'm not yet sure which songs you sing, but let's use them to find out more about you.

• If you were to have a toddler in your home, what do you feel would be The Most Dangerous Thing in the Room? So many sharp corners!! But probably the base of my desk chair. It’s metal and rigid and I always stub my f#%king toe on it. It would slice a toddler’s foot in half. Or My Fiddle leaf fig tree, Miss Figgy. Because she is dangerous for children and animals.
• What do you feel has been your worst Toddler Travel Travesty, whether it happened when you were a toddler or not? I’m sure my parents have dozens of stories about toddler me but I can only think of how I always had to pee on road trips. We would get a good stretch of road ahead of us and boom! I was always within 20 minutes of having to pee or having just peed. :) I loved my little beverages, ok? 

6. What are some parenting traits you were grateful your parents had? My parents always instilled a sense of whimsy into most activities. Even though they both worked “regular people” jobs, they are both very creative people themselves. They ran a community Theatre for about 5 years in the 90’s. My dad directed all the shows and my mom was the star! The “arts” is very respected in my family. I am very grateful for having that source of imagination and dedication to emulate as a kid.

7. What are some things you have held onto from your childhood that you have brought into adulthood? Similar to my last answer, A deep love and respect for the craft of Theatre. And a giant sense of humor.

8. In some of our past interviews, you have mentioned your love of cartoons. What were some of your favorite cartoons growing up? OK THE REAL QUESTIONS BEGIN: here we go! The Smurfs is my all-time most favorite cartoon series next to A Pup named Scooby Doo, Rainbow Brite and Mummies Alive! or STREET SHARKS.

9. Since you play a toddler in this show, what advice would you give your younger self? I would say “What other people think of you is none of your business. Now go be whoever you want to be! Also, "Don’t run down that mountain in Burbank in 2006. It’s steeper than it looks and you won’t be able to stop yourself without throwing your body sideways on a bush to break the inertia. Your knees will never be the same.”

10. Let's tie some of your past projects together.

• If Danny Zuko (who you played in the 2007 Broadway revival of Grease) were your babysitter as the toddler in That Parenting Musical, what song would you want to sing with him? Defying Gravity. I’m Elphaba.
• What kind of Disaster! do you think you & Scott (who you played in the Broadway show) would get into? I’m not sure why you would ask this. Scott was impaled by the handle of a slot-machine when that floating casino turned over in the Hudson. He’s dead.
• If Matt from The Fantasticks was your best friend, what is something you would do together? Kiss over the wall.

11. What is something we didn't get to talk about in this interview that you'd like my audience to know about you? That I am in love with this cast and crew! Very grateful to be back on stage in New York City. Come and see us!

Max Crumm, Photo courtesy of That Parenting Musical

More on Max Crumm:

Broadway: Scott, Disaster! (The Nederlander), Danny Zuko, Grease (Lena Horne).

Off-Broadway: The Connector, Emojiland, The Evolution of Mann, Millennials Are Killing Musicals, Hot Mess, The Fantasticks, Disaster!, Brooklyn Crush {formerly: F#%king Up Everything}.

Festival/Regional: Nigel, Something Rotten! (Sharon Playhouse) Woody Harrelson, Matthew McConaughey VS. The Devil (NYMF), The Situation, Jersey Shoresical (NY Fringe). Walter Paisley, Beatsville (Asolo Rep), Andy, Legendale (Human Race Theatre).

Film/TV: Burning Man: The Musical, Emergence, Ray Donovan, Easy A, Killing Diaz & Echoboom.