Having originated the role of Scissorhands in 2018 for the original Los Angeles production of SCISSORHANDZ, Jordan Kai Burnett is reprising the starring role in the European premiere, which opens 23rd January at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant, running until 29th March. SCISSORHANDZ is created and directed by Bradley Bredeweg, co-produced by Lance Bass and Michelle Visage, and Jordan, alongside a cast including Emma Williams and Tricia Adele-Turner, will be performing songs by artists such as Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Alanis Morissette. Recently, Jordan played Gilda Radner in Gene & Gilda at The Arthur Laurents Theatre, reprising their role from the world premiere run, with Jonathan Randell Silver as Gene Wilder. Further projects for Jordan have seen them be in the cast of Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike Live, Found as Denise (with the production cut short due to the COVID pandemic) and the world premiere of Romy and Michele the Musical as Heather Mooney – reprising the role for MTFestUK’s workshop at the Turbine Theatre in London in 2024. Jordan answers our questions about originating the role of Scissorhands in SCISSORHANDZ, starring as Gilda Radner in Gene & Gilda and playing Heather Mooney in Romy and Michele the Musical.
Later this month, you will be reprising your starring role of Scissorhands in the European premiere of SCISSORHANDZ, which is running at Southwark Playhouse Elephant until 29th March, what are you looking forward to for returning to the show?
I am so excited to share this show with a brand new audience. Singing this music feels like a rock concert IN a musical – and I can’t wait to jump back into that.
Can you tell us about SCISSORHANDZ and how does it feel to be bringing the musical to the UK?
SCISSORHANDZ is kind of the little show that could – it started as a pipe dream that Bradley Bredeweg had – a little show in a bar that just kept extending and expanding – and now after three successful runs in Los Angeles, bringing it to London is a dream come TRUE!
What can London audiences expect from the production and your portrayal of Scissorhands, and why would you recommend booking tickets to see SCISSORHANDZ at Southwark Playhouse Elephant in London?
I think the biggest difference between the movie and our adaptation is the queerness. Just by the nature of me, a queer and gender fluid human, playing Scissorhands, the show takes on a new meaning. If you love the movie, or you love musicals, or you love a night out at a rock show, you’re going to be happy you came.
How is it getting into character/costume and what is Scissorhands like to play?
At first, it was pretty wild, getting used to the costume and hands, but, six years later, I’ve got the logistics of the gear and makeup down to a science. As far as embodying the character, it’s important to me to honour the original movie, but also make sure to breathe new life into it.
What do you enjoy most about performing the music, which includes songs by Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Alanis Morissette, and do you have a favourite song in the production?
I think singing Tonight, Tonight is my favourite. I get to live out my rockstar fantasy.
How is it working with the show’s creator Bradley Bredeweg and being directed by Bradley?
Bradley is one of the smartest, most creative people I know, and more importantly, he is the kindest. Bradley creates a room and community that are heart forward. It’s very difficult to find that in this business. If you have the chance to work with Bradley, you see what is possible in the arts. Joy, love, acceptance – things that are often made secondary in some spaces are made a priority in Bradley‘s.
You originated the role of Scissorhands in the original Los Angeles production in 2018, and most recently played the role at The Bourbon Room in Hollywood in 2023/24, how have you found the experience creating the character and developing the show over the years?
Returning to this feels like an old friend – it is physically, vocally, and emotionally demanding, but unbelievably rewarding. While it takes me a moment to get back into the groove – at this point it feels like second skin.
You have recently played Gilda Radner in Gene & Gilda at The Arthur Laurents Theatre, how has it been reprising your role from the play’s world premiere run at Penguin Rep Theatre and what is the show like to perform in?
I always dreamed of playing Gilda, and to be a part of the process from its first incarnation until now is a very unique opportunity.
How is it performing opposite Jonathan Randell Silver as Gene Wilder and telling the Gene & Gilda story?
He’s one of the best scene partners I’ve ever had. I will say that for both of us, and not unlike Scissorhands, making sure we give homage to the people you know/love, while breathing new life into it is very important.
Do you have any stand-out memories from your time in Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike Live at Hard Rock and Sahara Hotel & Casino that you can tell us about?
One time, a woman got up from the audience and danced on stage with us. Needless to say, she was not a member of the cast, and when she wouldn’t take her seat, she had to be escorted out!
What was it like playing Denise in the Los Angeles premiere of Found in 2020?
I love new musicals. They have been my bread and butter for as long as I can remember. Found was such a special little show. It almost felt like a musical version of Saturday Night Live – sadly, it was cut short because of the pandemic. I hope it has another life in the future.
In the world premiere of Romy and Michele the Musical, you played Heather Mooney at 5th Avenue Theatre in 2017, and reprised the role in London for MTFestUK’s workshop at the Turbine Theatre last year, what is Heather like to play and how has it been bringing Romy and Michele to the stage?
I guess I’m recognising a pattern in my work! Haha! I am very lucky to bring people and things to life that might be held near and dear to audiences’ hearts, so I guess in all of these it’s important to remember to honour what the audience love while making sure you can see them with new eyes.
Where does your love of performing come from and how did you get started in the industry?
While other kids were playing doctor, I was doing a one-person version of Les Misérables in my bedroom at five years old. It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I’m very into my dogs and snacks. Big fan of puppies, cheese, and fitness. You can usually find me at the gym, at the dog park, or at a pick and mix.
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