Myra Molloy takes on the Underworld as Euridyce in Broadway’s ‘Hadestown’

Myra Molloy is no stranger to the stage. Starting her career at the young age of 13, winning Thailand’s Got Talent, she has mastered a slew of artistic mediums since. Building on her theatrical traction playing Kim in the touring production of Miss Saigon, Molloy made her Broadway debut as Euridyce in Hadestown on Broadway on May 6. Writer Bri Ng Schwartz spoke to her days before her first performance.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Bri Ng Schwartz: How are rehearsals going?
Myra Molloy: It's amazing. We're so close to the finish line with two rehearsals left before opening. So it's just  a surreal moment. 

BNS: What is your favorite thing about the show?
MM: I love everything about the show. But I think my favorite thing has to be the people in it. I know it sounds corny, but every job I've ever had, it's really the people that make it so wonderful. The Walter Kerr building is truly magical. I just feel really lucky.

BNS: You're following in the footsteps of a handful of mixed Asian Eurydices: Isa Briones, Lola Tung, Eva Noblezada.
MM: Isa is my friend! She’s in All Nighter, and we're both friends with Eva so we're gonna go see her on Sunday in Cabaret!

BNS: Have you connected with any of these other ladies about the role specifically?
MM: When I've talked to Eva and Isa, I asked, “What was it like for you? How was the experience for you?” Everyone's interpretation of Euridyce is so different.

BNS: What are the ways you already feel connected to the character of Euridyce?
MM: I have such a tender spot for Euridyce. Also, having played Kim in Miss Saigon before, I see so many similarities in both of them—it’s the vulnerability underneath the tenacity and survivor aspect of both of these women. I just find so much beauty in exploring that. She’s my favorite archetype.

BNS: Do you have any other dream Broadway or theater roles?
MM: This was my dream role. I saw it six years ago and it was a pipe dream. Having the opportunity to do it now and having it be my Broadway debut is just insane.I just don't think it's ever gonna really hit me. 

BNS: I would love to hear more about your artistic past before Broadway. You got your start in music. Did you always know that you wanted to incorporate acting into your artistry?
MM: I grew up singing first. It was something that I really enjoyed doing, but it never felt complete. Singing these other people's songs, like, this is cool, but I'm not really connecting to any of them. I always thought there had to be something else. Theater unlocked that, and then from the theater I went to TV and film. 

BNS: You have quite the TV resume under your belt right now. What are the differences between how you approach screen acting versus stage acting?
MM: Stage acting is just so much bigger. I think with screen acting, the less you do, the better. On TV and in film I'm just talking normally. On stage, I have to project, I have to engage my body more. I have to exaggerate some things because you're doing it to a big house and you're a tiny person on stage.

BNS: You won Thailand's Got Talent when you were 13. There's been so much discourse about child stardom in the past couple of years. How would you describe your experience with that and what advice would you give younger performers who are trying to stay grounded as they enter this industry?
MM: Doing that as a kid in Thailand, I felt like it was just such a small fraction compared to the rest of the world.

Coming here, the industry just feels so vast. There are so many people, everyone's doing it, and kids are in the public eye. The important thing is to always remind yourself none of this defines you. Your real life outside of all that, it’s all you have. It's so important to nurture that. Stay grounded, stay connected with your friends, stay connected with your family. Don't lose sight of the real, important things in life. 

BNS: You've performed across the world. What do you think makes American audiences and fans different from other places?
MM: My biggest comparison is Asia because that's my other home, my first home. With fandoms—and especially if you think about K-pop—people worship you. People dedicate their lives to support you, and I think that's such an insane but beautiful thing. To know people you've never met before can root for you and love you in that way, that is such a gift. 

In the States it's definitely more relaxed. People are fans of people, but not everyone is waking up to go to the airport at 6 a.m.

BNS: I'm sure you'll have an interesting experience with stage dooring for Hadestown, because that fanbase is dedicated.
MM: It’s such an iconic show and there's such a young following as well. That makes me so happy and I'm so excited. I remember stage dooring at Saigon and how much joy that brought. People shared their experiences and their relationships to the show and to the character. It means a lot to me. I'm a words of affirmation girl.

BNS: Are there any other artistic mediums that you haven't conquered yet that you would like to have under your belt?
MM: I wanna do a movie musical! Putting my two favorite things together. Wicked was, like, the Renaissance. We need more of this. 

BSN: Maybe we'll see you as Euridyce in the Hadestown movie musical!
MM: They know where to find me!