Conversations with Megan, featuring David Alvarez

David and I spent time on Broadway together in "On the Town," and we catch up five years after our show ended. His life is one serendipitous moment after another, and we follow his journey from "Billy Elliot" and winning a Tony at 13, to the army, back to Broadway in "On the Town," searching for life's meaning in Mexico and now starring in Steven Spielberg's new imagining of "West Side Story," coming out in December 2020. Our interview was done a month ago, but we finish with some timely discussion on politics, and creating momentum for change.

[@rashidalyles1428]

Im in love with David Alvarez 😍😍😍😍

[@marieodar2962]

he is my favouite bernardo so far

[@rmcmariusable]

"Call me Steven, because I will be calling you, Bernardo". I absolutely love this and David's entire story! Can't wait to see him in WSS.

[@dj4265]

His family is BEAUTIFUL too. When he was a kid, just listening to his Father and Mother speak of his abilities and their child rearing philosophy would make anyone cry. Beautiful guy, magnificent family, God bless this guy!

[@vickyvazz]

What a fantastic and interesting person. I just saw him in West Side Story- such a life changing performance. He clearly has an interesting background and so many gifts.

[@icarrus4u]

What an incredible career and he's only 26! And a handsome guy as well, wow!

[@rayarena879]

David Alvarez seems like such a grounded, down-to-earth and humble guy. None of that diva like behavior that permeates the world of performers.

[@butterflydi2001]

Thank you for this beautiful interview!! I followed the Broadway search for Billy and then watched show videos as they began to appear on KZbin. David was absolutely amazing as were all of the boys! When they announced the cast of West Side Story, I was happy to see where he has been over the years and the well-rounded, sincere and super talented person he is today….and how about the army!!! Many thanks to him for his service! I just loved the new West Side Story!!! It was amazing and broke my heart, as it did the first 25 times I saw the original. David’s Bernardo was so powerful and commanding! What a gifted actor he is, as well!! I hope we get to see more of his talents in the future and wish him much luck!! I am happy to have stumbled upon this interview! I will check out the rest of your videos. Best of luck with your amazing ballet career also…your dancing is breathtaking!

[@FredCompton]

David, thank you for taking the time to share your stories with us. It was very enjoyable! I watched your Tony Award acceptance, you three were so cute. It was heartwarming to see that experience for the three of you. I'm excited to see the film West Side Story. I've enjoyed the film since I was a child, and last year (as an adult) I was invited to play Lt. Schrank in our High School's production. So it has a special place in my heart. Megan, thank you again for doing this!!

[@miraclehearts2]

OMG...The two of you are just too cute for words!!❤❤

[@kevinp.4630]

I absolutely love this guy.

[@neonnights3955]

Great interview. I didn't know David until I saw American Rust where my Mom and I took a liking to him. Then when WSS came out my Mom told me that Bernardo was the guy from American Rust and it was like wow. So when I watched WSS I was mostly focused on him and of course he slayed it.

[@joannamarchew4796]

I would love to see the interview with Maria Kowroski ❤️

[@williampodlecki5950]

Such an insightful and eloquent person. Saw West Side Sory and enjoyed him in it. But recently saw him i in the Showtimes series American Rust and was not prepared for the emotional range and depth he brought to his character. Brilliant is not enough to describe it. Kudos to all he does with his life and art. Looking forward to see what his future holds.

[@gloriouslyimperfect]

I loved him as Billy! So cool to hear his story and what he’s doing now. What a cool journey he’s been on. I can’t wait to see WSS!

[@ANightworkerslife]

Great talk and thanks for letting us listen in. I cant say it was an interview 'cause I was listening to 2 friends talking. :) So happy to see David landing this big part in this big movie! I sure hope that the business sees his talent and books him for more great things!

[@ChiaraJade811]

2009 Tony Award Best Lead Actor in a Musical for Billy Elliot the Musical: David Alvarez. Alvarez definitely has a very interesting story after his Tony Award win.

[@waynebulson941]

I love, love, love this interview!! Once I discovered that the stage show of "Billy Elliot" was actually better, richer even than the movie, I REALLY became a fanatic. I first plumbed everything about the London production. Then I learned that Broadway staged a great production too (not surprising!). And I love the first three Billies from both of those shows (of which David is one). Those kids were SO talented, in so many ways. I don't know that any of the 6 actors is my favorite; but there is something special about David. Unfortunately, I didn't discover all of this until well after both shows had closed. So it has been so fun to find video interviews, or stories about the show. And so I already knew so much about your discussion questions. Both he and Kiril were amazing musicians/pianists as children (Kiril-the classical pianist; David-the composer pianist). I had seen the clip of the boys accepting the Tony Awards, and so much more. I'm pretty certain I remember someone interviewing David during that time, asking what other Broadway show he would like to be in. AND I'm pretty sure his answer was "West Side Story"!!! (Yes, see AP RED, kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3OUn3yXaqZ5jKc @ 5:45) (I think it was playing contemporaneously with "B.E.".) So I have been waiting for nearly a year to see Spielberg's version of WSS, with David and other actor/musicians I follow. Now, I have learned the release has been pushed back well into 2021. 😢😒😢 BUT I really think we need a revival of Billy Elliot the Musical. It is just SOOO amazing to see what these young performers are able to do! Thank you David for sharing your talent. And thank you for your service to our country. Also Megan, thank you for such an enjoyable, laid back interview!! You guys rock!

[@綾佳川元]

Great conversation!

[@judithricca6915]

Thank you Megan for another great interview, and thank you to your guest David.

[@marieodar2962]

Wow iam taking ballet since I was 5years old until now.

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

US Army Vet here - trained to a preprofessional level in dance by age 23 (late bloomer, but I started when I was 12 with various hiatuses). Gave up on dance. Joined the Army age 28.

[@Charles-nj2ef]

What a lovely interview. A beautiful man. Thank you.

[@tanras1876]

Here after watching WSS, loved it!

[@marieodar2962]

I wish the Metropolitan opera would have done west side story.

[@michaelfairbairn4283]

By FAR the best interview I've seen with this talented artist. He's a very soft-spoken, thoughtful guy, and in some interviews I've seen is a little reserved, but you really brought out his personality and intelligence. Good job!

[@Kingdog295]

Yo conocí a los padres de David antes que se fueran de Cuba. David y Yanet, los recuerdo con cariño.

[@deborahmielke620]

A beautiful interview. Genuine kindness joy laughter respect. Megan you are so good at this. And David...what a humble soul💖

[@rashidalyles1428]

I love the colors !!!!

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

David in Wonderland!!! (The colors changing...)

[@gschreckster]

What an interesting interview! I remember the three Billies winning the Tony that night.

[@Edsrant]

Loved it! It was like eavesdropping on a private conversation between two good friends. And David has had such an amazing career and many adventures at such a young age. Megan is a lovely interlocutor.

[@katereinsch4789]

I like his saying that we all have different talents and need to find the thing at which we are good but that we also really like to do. You are such a brilliant dancer but you also have a gift for these interviews and I very much hope that this is a talent you like and will pursue. Your empathy and interest in people make these interviews such a pleasure to attend. Look forward so much to your book as well! Thank you, Megan, for doing all this!

[@cvk2761]

Ah so nice:) thanks for bringing us the content that we need! Would also love a interview with Mimi Staker I remember watching here years ago at teen vogue in strictly ballet 🩰:)

[@jjgnva]

thank you so much for today...my mom passed away suddenly last Sunday, and I am filling my heart with memories of all the times I "made her so mad at my choices"...I am just a teacher, but she was really proud of me as she was a teacher then principal..Our little family travels to NYC for the Macy's Parade every year since I adopted my girlz..(My oldest is 17 now)..This year will be our first time without her...But thank you for this focus on art and family...David is a doll. His smile is just precious and he seems like a pretty normal man. You are doing so much for ladies like me, who love the ballet, arts, and NYC..As soon as it opens up my girlz and I are coming. DC is not so far, and for now my girlz and I are taking up ally-ship!

[@meganfairchild6135]

I'm so sorry for your loss.... Sending you love!

[@marieodar2962]

@@meganfairchild6135 cameron school of dance is the oldest dance school in Quebec and in Canada Classical ballet and Musical Theater. This year Classical Ballet Level 2& Level 3. Jazz ballet and Tap.

[@marianaluz8658]

Such a beautiful interview! Thank you for the great questions and conversation, so fluid! And David for being so honest and simple, just bringing your own testimony! Thank you :)

[@dannymangelsdorf9806]

Megan and David. What an enjoyable, wise and uplifting conversation. My best to you both.

[@powerofalto]

Such a great interview! I’d honestly never heard of David, much less seen his work. Such an interesting, lovely person. :) I’m so glad that he’s going to be in WSS, because with his charisma and camera-friendly good looks, he should be in the movies!

[@raquelcolon5785]

Megan, I love your Channel. I have watched all of the interviews. But this by far is my favorite. As I am a Puerto Rican and west side story was my mom’s favorite movie of all time. This would have been an homage to her spirit as well. She passed away six months ago. Thank you for interviewing David, he is so lovely

[@meganfairchild6135]

So sorry for your loss. Glad this means something to you. :)

[@marieodar2962]

@@meganfairchild6135 i am taking ballet and musical theater with the oldest dance school in Quebec and in Canada.

[@ruthdavidson-schaller2245]

Thanks again for these wonderful videos. David’s story is amazing. You ask such great questions to get to the heart! What a great perspective on life!

[@marieodar2962]

tell megan that the interview was very intersting.

[@eaagoutlander]

He's so great! Thank you for interviewing him!

[@HaunaMyKiki]

David was my Posh Boy when I saw Billy Elliot haha! (the actual Billy I saw was Kiril, about 3 weeks before he left) Glad to see they're all doing well, and I can't wait to see David _kill it_ in WSS!

[@dj4265]

He’s just gorgeous. Like….just…. Wow

[@barbaraparisi4094]

I really look forward to your interviews and it made my day when I got the notification.

[@transcan1]

Loved this interview! It's funny, I'd just checked your homepage a day or so ago, thinking I'd missed your next video, and here it is! Thanks so much for sharing it! I'm really looking forward to seeing WWS when it comes out.

[@thipham9140]

Loving these wonderful interviews! Would love to see you interview John Clifford and/or Suzanne Farrell if possible to hear more about Balanchine and how has ballet changed from the 20th century to the 21st century!

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

The Infantryman’s Creed I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight... wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on...through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

Soldier’s Creed I am an American Soldier. I am a warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself. I am an expert and I am a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier.

[@David-pt8ge]

He sounds a fascinating chap. But the idea of me only seeing my Mum, when she was alive, once in 3 years, that blows my mind. I did not know him before your interview, but have a feeling, after the film, we will all know who he is. I spent the first few minutes, with the strange lighting, thinking, surely nobody has wifi that bad.

[@meganfairchild6135]

haha! Yes we fixed it! :)

[@marieodar2962]

@@meganfairchild6135 Musical Theater and Classical Ballet Level 2&level3 cameron.

[@ChiaraJade811]

The moment Alvarez and his colleagues made Tony Award history: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnOpm3iDg8-ja6s

[@enyivictoriaa]

15:04 SO TRUE!! i’m a dancer and i took ballet for many years, and i did not like it 😭 i always had the build for ballet and my friends always told me that i could be such a good ballet dancer, but i hated it tbh LOL. i honestly found it boring and it wasn’t fast enough for me. i’m definitely more of a hip hop dance and i’m more passionate about that style of dance. but don’t get me wrong, ballet is incredible and breathtaking but it’s just not for me :)

[@KayBeautyTV]

He’s 26??

[@marieodar2962]

Classical Ballet and Musical Theater Cameron school of dance.