Josh Groban didn't expect to see a home video of his 17-year-old self performing in "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Tony Awards, but there he was, in full Tevye costume and a full-throated performance.
"Nothing can really prepare you for a moment like that," said Groban, who could be seen blushing during the broadcast. "I remember staying up in my pajamas to watch the Tonys at that age. We all had theater dreams, and I was thinking about that kid playing Tevye, and those were my only moments of confidence at that age."
As an adult, Groban has found that self-confidence, and his theater dreams continue to come true. He's touring the country, including a stop in West Valley City on Saturday, Aug. 20, to perform from his newest album, "Stages," which features a bevy of songs from musical theater largely from the 1960s to the 1980s.
"It's been kind of a passion project I've had in the back of my head for most of my life," he said. "There are a lot of things you start thinking about as an adult, and these songs have been with me since I was a kid. Musical theater is having such a great moment, and I'm so happy I've been able to celebrate these songs that I love so much."
"Stages" includes songs from musicals including "Les Misérables," "The Wizard of Oz" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Groban also has duets with Kelly Clarkson for "All I Ask of You" from "Phantom of the Opera" and an Audra McDonald duet from "Carousel."
He called making the album "karaoke at the piano for three weeks," trying to figure out which songs best suited his voice, which arrangements would honor the original while bringing something new to the piece and whether he had enough life experience to interpret the song properly.
"All of those things had to click to be special enough to be right for right now," Groban said.
And maybe the crowning achievement for Groban's current Broadway aspirations is his upcoming debut in "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812," a play based on a section of Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace." Previews begin Oct. 18.
It's a little-known play that he is bringing to Broadway after seeing it four years ago in a tent with a couple hundred people.
"I thought, this deserves a big stage, it's a beautiful piece of work," he said.
He met with the composer and director, and it worked as a good fit for Groban. He is making his debut along with 18 others, and he is thrilled for the opportunity.
"There are so many people who have loved this show for a long time, and so many thousands will see it for the first time, and it's worth the wait," he said. "It really is that great."
While Groban has done television in the past, live performance is where he said he feels the most comfortable.
"I love the spontaneity and the one-time-onliness," he said. "I love being in the studio and planning things, but I did improv a lot, and I love the muscle of having to say yes in the moment," he said.
It's one of the many reasons he enjoys playing for a live audience.
"Every concert, every live performance, is different," he said. "Live audiences get to experience something they didn't know they even wanted. That's always the goal."
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Josh Groban
With Sarah McLachlan and Foy Vance.
When • Saturday, Aug. 20, at 7:30 p.m.
Where • Usana Amphitheatre, 5125 S. 6400 West, West Valley City
Tickets • $32.50 to $128; SmithsTix.com and Smith's Tix outlets
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