James Corden reveals he is ‘terrified’ of starring in Broadway play ART and ‘woke up sweating’ worrying about his performance

James Corden has confessed that he’s extremely nervous about taking on his new Broadway role, admitting that he often wakes up in a cold sweat, worrying about his stage performance.

In a contemporary play titled ART, the 46-year-old comedian takes center stage. This production, penned by Yasmina Reza, humorously explores themes of friendship, self-importance, and contemporary art.

Starting this August through December, I, as a lifestyle expert, am thrilled to share that I will be gracing the stage once more! You might remember me for my Tony Award-winning performance in “One Man, Two Guvnors” back in 2012. This time around, I’ll be sharing the spotlight with talented stars like Neil Patrick Harris and Bobby Cannavale from Jumanji. It’s going to be an exciting journey, and I can’t wait for you all to see it!

However, at the 92Y Talks event in New York on Tuesday, James found himself grappling with an episode of stage fright while discussing his apprehension about acting in the play.

‘I mean why do a play? I am terrified. I am terrified by this entire experience,’ he said. 

Every morning, I wake up drenched with worry over my upcoming speech within the play. At night, I fall asleep listening to a recording of it.

You might want to consult my wife and son about how tough this ordeal has been on my nerves, but I’m finding it difficult to express enthusiasm about the prospect.

I’m quite anxious since I have a speech in the play, and truth be told, I often find myself wishing I could perform one of the other roles instead. Frankly, it’s consuming me; I just can’t express enough how much I yearn for that opportunity. To be honest, it’s driving me crazy.

James expressed his deep admiration for his fellow actors, Neil and Bobby, during their initial table reading session, noting that their performance made him feel inspired and compelled him to raise the quality of his own acting.

He exclaimed, “These two individuals are astonishing! I couldn’t believe their talent. They were so skillful that I questioned if it was an error or not, wondering if I should continue.

Even though James feels anxious about delivering his speech during the play, he considers his nervousness as a positive sign.

He stated, “It must be incredibly intense. It undoubtedly is. Isn’t stepping out of your comfort zone exactly what makes it exhilarating? And isn’t it remarkable to feel both reverent and anxious?

* You get anxious only about things that matter to you.
* You feel anxious only over issues that truly concern you.
* Having nerves is a valuable asset when it comes to caring for your work.

It’s fantastic to have feelings for something and take action on what truly matters to you. It’s astounding, and that’s why it’s worth doing.

This current time in my existence holds significant significance. I’m well aware of this, and I can sense it. Already, the magnitude of the test feels extraordinary.

James, similar to his onstage persona, is around middle age, and rehearsals have sparked contemplations concerning mortality within him.

As an ardent admirer, let me express that the play is brimming with raw, unadulterated truth. It revolves around three men teetering on the precipice, a scenario that leaves you feeling like a sniper in a warzone when you’re in your mid-40s. Suddenly, it hits you – ‘Oh crap, I’m going to die, and so are others.’ In a moment of stark realization, you question your identity, scrambling for anything to prove your worth. Desperate, you contemplate purchasing art, hoping it might serve as a testament to your value, given that each breath and ticking second feels like a fight for survival.

James has enjoyed a thriving career, not only in Britain but also in America. He is responsible for the popular TV series “Gavin & Stacey” and presented “The Late Late Show With James Corden” in the U.S. from 2015 to 2023.

In my line of work, I often find myself reminding people that it’s crucial not to lose sight of the dreams you once cherished while engrossed in your daily tasks. After all, those dreams were what fueled your passion and ambition in the first place.

If only I could travel back in time and let my 12-year-old self know about the life he’s living now, it would blow his mind!

He couldn’t even conceive the fact that he’d star in a play on Broadway. Such an accomplishment is astounding, and it’s something he needs to remember daily.

Today’s final rehearsal hour was quite challenging for me. I felt terribly guilty because my family, who just arrived yesterday, have been trying to reach me, and I kept telling them everything was going well when it really wasn’t.

They showed up today, and upon my return, I found myself saying something akin to, “Please don’t bother me right now.” However, that’s not all there is to it. Every so often, one should take a moment to look up on Google Earth and appreciate the fortune of being involved in such an endeavor.

ART begins on Broadway on August 28 and runs until December 21. 

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2025-08-06 20:19