In addition to his ongoing appearances at City Winery NYC and around the country as one of the long-time fan-favorite members of The Boy Band Project and its popular Boy Band Brunch, Pittsburgh-born and NYC-based triple threat Jesse Corbin has been active on a number of other theatrical projects this summer, which will extend his non-stop schedule well into the fall season and beyond.
Having just completed his featured role as Achilles in the Classical Theatre of Harlem’s critically acclaimed production of Memnon, he is now in rehearsals for the National Tour of The Notebook, beginning in Cleveland on September 6 (and playing at The National Theatre in DC from August 18-30, 2026), and his new work-in-progress, Lemonade – a coming-of-age musical with a pop-rock score about friendship, loss, and self-acceptance, created and written by Corbin and inspired by real news stories of young entrepreneurs fined for operating unlicensed lemonade stands – was featured as a staged reading in May at Florida Repertory Theatre’s PlayLab Festival.
The multihyphenate talent is also making his Off-Broadway debut as a composer, providing the original music and lyrics for False Steps, a new dance-fueled farce by ballroom champion Candace H. Caplin and Kim St. Leon, playing a limited engagement this September at NYC’s Theatre at St. Clements.
Jesse made time during this hectic season to answer my questions about his career, his background, and what audiences can expect in his upcoming shows.
What came first for you – singing, dancing, acting, or writing?
Jesse: They all went so hand-in-hand in my young creative mind that in my memory it feels like spontaneous combustion of all four at once! There are many video and cassette tapes documenting original stories, songs, and dances created by yours truly, often involving my sister as a scene, song, or dance partner. Together, we would choreograph to Broadway cast recordings we borrowed from the local library or write and perform original radio dramas with our portable cassette player. One holiday season, I recruited my parents to help me create a news-style Christmas special documenting the birth of Jesus with a combination of live on-the-scene reports and cut-aways to original Christmas songs.
While I loved writing and composing for fun through my early, teen, and college years, I assumed it was something everyone could do and I didn’t realize I had a special knack or gift for it until much later in life.
Can you tell us a little about your experience with Memnon and the Classical Theatre of Harlem?
In a word: EPIC. Performing in Memnon for a second time with my phenomenal cast (we premiered the show last fall at the Getty Villa in LA) was such a gift for many reasons. One being that we were able to pick up where we left off as a team to craft an exciting 2.0 version that felt bigger and badder than ever and another reason being that I was able to revisit the complex and cool character that is Achilles. Never before have I played a character who embodies so many contrasting characteristics. He’s sensitive, yet ruthless; bold, yet private; a man’s man on the battlefield, yet queer and in love.
Are there any plans to bring Lemonade to New York?
There absolutely are! However, the next big step in the process is our regional premiere and out of town tryout taking place in August of 2026 at Trustus Theatre in Columbia, SC. Between now and the premiere, we will further develop and workshop the script and score, while also continuing to find investors and raise funding.
What are you most looking forward to on the national tour of The Notebook, and what’s the most challenging part of being on the road for a year?
While I have traveled extensively across the USA and abroad as a performer, this is my first national tour and I can only guess what the highlights and challenges will be. The challenge I anticipate most will be not having regular time with my close friends here in NYC, but on the flip side, I am so excited to invest in all the new relationships I am sure this tour will contribute to my life. One thing I am looking forward to is spending an entire year employed doing what I love most: being an artist!
Will you be on hiatus from The Boy Band Project for the entire run of The Notebook tour?
The short answer is yes, but listen, anything is possible! I will have some layoffs throughout the year and I may or may not try to line up some BBP shows with The Notebook tour schedule. All that to say, keep your eyes and ears peeled . . . I may make some surprise appearances.
How did you become involved with False Steps?
I have known Ronny Dutra (the choreographer, co-director, and one of the producers of False Steps) for years and we’ve always wanted to collaborate artistically. After reconnecting post-pandemic during a meal with a mutual friend, my musical Lemonade came up and Ronny mentioned he’d love to consider me as a composer for a ballroom-themed farce he was part of developing. While I knew he was genuine, I wasn’t expecting it to lead to anything, but soon after that meal – to my delight and surprise – I was asked to submit some music samples and ultimately became attached to the project!
Can you give us an idea of the style of the music and the mood of the lyrics?
The music covers a wide range stylistically from classic MGM movie musical vibes to a cinematic ballad I think will have people on the edge of their seats. One of my favorite tasks I was given by the creative team was creating variations on a theme for a dinner party scene using eight different ballroom dance styles as inspiration. Overall, my goal was to create fresh and exciting music that still felt familiar.
Are you able to be here in NYC for the opening?
This is a devastating question because the answer is NO! False Steps is opening the same night as The Notebook, so I will be on stage in Cleveland performing while music I composed is premiering Off-Broadway in NYC. What a wonderfully horrible situation. It’s both heartbreaking and thrilling!
Many thanks, Jesse, for giving our readers an inside look at your shows during this extremely busy season – it’s always great to talk to you! I look forward to following the development of Lemonade and to an upcoming performance of False Steps.
False Steps plays September 5-28, 2025, at the Theatre at St. Clements, 423 W 46th Street, NYC. For tickets (priced at $52-62, including fees), go online.
