You Better “Aca-believe it,” Ben Platt’s “Honeymind” Tour Coming To The Twin Cities

From playing the magic-obsessed, dorky and beloved roommate in “Pitch Perfect,” to starring in the musical winner of six Tony Awards, “Dear Evan Hansen”, to recently releasing Honeymind with an accompanying tour- Ben Platt is finally coming on tour to Minneapolis Minnesota on June 29, 2024.

The person behind the stages and screens

As a devotee to routine, normalcy and repetition, choosing a career in the entertainment industry was a jump in the opposite direction, Platt said. Having days to nest with his fiance, Noah Galvin and soak up the feeling of calamity and cohesion are periods of life Platt craves. 

“I would say I’m very anxious and a little bit fearful, but generally, I consider myself a pretty kind person,” Platt said. “I think as a queer person, I particularly feel lucky to have my chosen family of friends that I’ve had since high school.” 

Outside of performing, Platt said he loves to dance (high emphasis on socially, not professionally, added Platt). Assisting “Chef” Gavin as the Sous-chef in the kitchen, Platt said they dream of having their own food-travel show showcasing the couple eating at restaurants around the world. 

“Most of my hobbies are tangentially related to what I do just because of singing and theater- it’s my greatest love, joy and passion,” Platt said. “My favorite activity is to simply be in the audience of a piece of theater.”

A queer album rooted in pride: Here’s to love!

Celebrating love and queer relationships at the show speaks to what a special time in the music industry it is, Platt said. The tour celebrates what makes queer love not only equal, but special and even better.

“Much of this new album, HoneyMind is about my relationship with Noah, so it’s very inherently queer, just because that’s me,” Platt said. 

There is always a challenge in being as honest as possible throughout the creative process, Platt said. It can be scary when sharing intimate details with other songwriters and co-writers, but exploring things in new ways allows love songs to stray from their typical generalness. 

“I know I dipped my toe in a lot of different pools as a performer and artist, ” Platt said. “But, being in process of writing an album is one of my favorites, because it’s so much just about the process itself,  as everyday is just full of trying to make something, and even if you make 10 songs that you never want to see the light of day and get one that you love, it’s it feels so satisfying.”

The fourth song on the album, “Before I knew you,” is among one of Platt’s favorite songs that he wrote for Galvin. Singing this song live will create a “living room moment,” one that feels intimate and homey. 

“I had it in my head to wait till the end and then play him the whole album,” Platt added. “But of course, Noah is an artist that I really respect, so I always wanted him to weigh in on the process.” 

When a demo for a song was recorded, Platt said he would send it straight to Galvin, a person who likes to be the “Bell of the ball,” but had trouble accepting compliments and getting mushy, according to Platt. 

“My queerness always informs the way I view love, connection and relationships,” Platt said. “I think there’s an added level of responsibility and privilege that comes with representing a queer relationship.” 

When it comes to Industry representation, Platt said he feels an extra wave of motivation to be as transparent and authentic as possible with his experience as a queer person. When a gay person plays a gay character, or a queer artist writes about a queer relationship with the proper pronouns, those acts go a long way. 

Looking back and moving forward 

The 2012 comedy, “Pitch Perfect” was an amazing first “crash course” in film because it had musical elements and was a place to learn about the process of filmmaking and exercise creative freedom, Platt said. 

“When we did it, we had absolutely no idea that the movie would be anything like what it has become,” Platt said. “It was very tiny, about as small as a movie can be for a studio film, and it did not scream franchise.”

Pressure to choose a lane and devote to either film or music when others in the industry are devoted to one or the other can be difficult, Platt added. When devoting to one avenue there is great merit. but there is also beauty in using joy as an indicator of success. 

“ A huge part of what fulfills me is the variety,” Platt said.  “When I spend time making a film that allows me to miss and appreciate the experience of touring, and when I perform as myself I miss and appreciate being in a theater piece where I get to play a character.”

After his six week tour, Platt plans on continuing to write music and collaborating with Galvin more on songwriting. Playing George in “Sunday in the Park with George” is a long-term dream, as being in a film within a grounded universe and as a character that resembles himself is something Platt would love to do. 

“As a songwriter, producer, or as a screenwriter, I can really be open to the universe, kind of putting whatever you know is meant for me in front of me and just like chasing the things that feel exciting,” Platt said. “But, if nothing ever comes, and I just hang out with Noah in our house for the rest of my life, I would be happy.”

Ben Platt: The Honeymind Tour
June 29, 8:00 PM
Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis
Tickets Start from $39.50, VIP Packages up to $404.00
https://hennepintheatretrust.org/events/ben-platt-the-honeymind-tour-tickest-orpheum-theatre-minneapolis-mn-2024/