"Gene Kelly redefined what it meant to be a leading man." 🕺✨
On today’s episode of The Spark Parade, Adam Unze welcomes the Grammy-winning powerhouse and original Hamilton cast member, Sydney James Harcourt.
Sydney joins the pod to celebrate his personal Spark: the legendary Gene Kelly and the 1952 cinematic masterpiece, Singin' in the Rain. We dive deep into Kelly’s athletic, effortless masculinity, the resilient optimism of that iconic title sequence and how Sydney channels that same grace today on Broadway.
Sydney is currently starring as the legendary Rum Tum Tugger in Cats: The Jellicle Ball at the Broadhurst Theatre (Opening Night: April 7, 2026!).
In this episode, we discuss:
The transition from Hamilton to Hollywood.
How Gene Kelly made athleticism look like art.
Breaking down the "stoic leading man" trope.
Sydney’s approach to playing the Rum Tum Tugger in NYC’s most talked-about revival.
The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.