Norm Lewis has done it all, from big Disney musicals, to Shakespeare in the Park and of course Phantom where he made audiences swoon like never before. His impressive voice, charm and versatility have made him one of the most sought after actors in musical theatre. There doesn’t seem to be a challenge he won’t tackle. Audience members will soon get to see him up close and personal as he takes on three shows with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, called Music of the Night: Norm Lewis with the NJSO (April 15-17, 2016). We spoke to him about what he’s prepared for the occasion, looked back at some of his most famous roles, and discussed his chemistry with the astonishing Audra McDonald.

What can you tell us about the show you’ll be doing with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra? How is it to put together a setlist for the show?

It is exciting, because the fact it is so last minute and we have to find new orchestrations for songs, and knowing which key and all that kind of stuff. But it’s all working out, so it’s all good. It’s gonna be a lot of Norm Lewis’ greatest hits, and a lot of surprises.

In May you’ll be joining the New York Pops for their annual gala paying tribute to Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg.

I’m very excited about that too, can’t wait to see Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and also to revisit Les Miserables again will be great.

Have you found that your work in Scandal has brought you new fans who aren’t aware of your work in theatre?

(Laughs) It’s funny, a lot of people see me and recognize me from the TV show. I love that! But they don’t know I sing, so it’s a nice surprise for them when they find out. It’s fun to surprise people in that way.

Maybe you can push for a musical episode of Scandal?

Maybe! Why not? I think they did it on ER.

You starred in Two Gentlemen of Verona with Oscar Isaac, Rosario Dawson and Renee Elise Goldsberry, do you think now that they’re all more famous, would people be interested in doing a revival of that? That show isn’t really done much it seems.

When we did it, I’d never heard of the musical. When they called me to say I was cast on that show I was blown away, it was a chance to strengthen my Shakespeare roots and dust it off the closet. It was great! Meeting Rosario, Renee and Oscar - whose career is taking off so well, I’m very proud of him, but we knew he had something special in that show - that summer was a lot of fun. There is some bootleg recording out there and every once in a while I’ll listen to it.

From A New Brain, to Side Show, you seem to have a knack for unusual romances. Why do you think you keep going back to those romances?

(Laughs) I don’t know, that’s a good question. I think people tend to gravitate to tragedy or those unusual love stories, it brings that extra bit of drama that gives people something interesting to look at. I don’t know though, I just keep getting cast in those shows, maybe casting directors see that in me?

Are there any traditional romantic heroes you’d love to play?

There’s a few shows that I’ve thought about like The Music Man and some of the classics, but there are a lot of new pieces out there that I’d like to explore as well. I’ve kinda done a lot of my dream roles really.

You were terrific in The Phantom of the Opera, and as an actor who’s been cast in parts usually played by white actors do you think we’re in a good place now when it comes to diverse casting?

I think people are opening their eyes a little bit more. In a lot of cases you see Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell play a lot of roles that have been traditionally done by Caucasian actors. But even someone like Patina Miller playing what is traditionally a man’s role...people are opening their eyes to other ways of telling a story. If it doesn’t have to do with race I think it’s an open field. When I had the chance to play Javert that was for me an amazing thing, because people don’t know that but - (laughs) I feel like I’m bragging now - I was the first African American actor to have that role on Broadway. No one really cared, they just wanted to hear what the story was. We had Lea Salonga play Fantine and she tore that song up, she was amazing. If you’re telling the story I think people forget what race you are, they just want to see the character you’re portraying.

You mentioned Audra, and in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess it sounds almost as if your voice was made to go along with hers.

(Laughs) Oh, now really. That is just too kind of you. She is so great.

Your rendition of “All the Things You Are” in your album  is so astonishing. How is it to sing with her?

It is beyond. I’ve always admired her for so much, I met her years ago when we both were auditioning for The Secret Garden and I noticed how beautiful she was physically, but hearing her through the door when she went into the audition room I knew she was a star in the making. All of a sudden she was Audra McDonald. I love matching and singing with her. I would do in a heartbeat.

Many younger people discovered you because you played King Triton in The Little Mermaid.

That was fun! I’d never worked for Disney before even if I grew up in Florida, but this was a chance to be with “my people” (laughs) because I grew up in the Orlando area so I knew Disney very well. So to be with the family was awesome.

Did you have any favorite Disney movies growing up?

For some reason I always really liked Bambi.

Dark choice! But it goes well with what I wanted to ask you last, which is what are your Sondheim dream roles and your favorite songs of his?

“No One is Alone” but there’s a few really, there are so many to pick from. Let me think, what’s the one that goes “the sun comes up, I think about you”?

”Losing My Mind”.

Exactly. That’s a great one! “Giants in the Sky” too, he is such a great writer, so cerebral and complex. He’s definitely the Shakespeare of musical theatre. Now parts I’d like to play, I don’t know if I’m too long in the tooth for this one, but I’d love to play George in Sunday in the Park with George. I don’t know if I’m too old. And also Follies, I still have time to do that one

For tickets to Music of the Night: Norm Lewis with the NJSO click here.