Much Ado About Nothing’s Mason Alexander Park Shares Pre-Show Playlist

Mason Alexander Park will always associate Shakespeare with Coldplay. After all, the actor’s time spent in London starring in the new revival of Much Ado About Nothing involved a regular pre-show ritual set to the band’s mammoth 2005 single, “Fix You.”

Unseen by the audience, the company of Much Ado would assemble before each show to sing the song together, all thanks to the shepherding of none other than Tom Hiddleston, who headlined the production as Benedick alongside Hayley Atwell’s Beatrice.

“Some of my favorite memories happened in this precious pre-show moment,” Park reflects to Ticketmaster, “and I’m grateful [Hiddleston] brought us together for it every day, rain or shine.”

Now, more than a year after Tony-nominated director Jamie Lloyd’s Shakespearean revival ended its run in the U.K., the production is making its way to New York City. The show’s 10-week limited engagement at the Winter Garden Theatre begins performances October 31, with its official opening night set for November 19.

Making their Broadway debut, Park will once again portray Margaret, an attendant to Hero who, in this updated version of the ancient comedy, is responsible for belting out a number of club hits throughout the show.

“The world of Much Ado About Nothing is heavily populated with talk of music, I think that’s because music and love are so intrinsically linked,” Park tells Ticketmaster. “Being able to inject this ridiculously colorful production with some certified BANGERS has been such a joy, and I am so honored that Jamie has trusted me with the microphone this time around.”

The entire company is making the leap with Park from London to the Big Apple, and Park hopes Hiddleston will keep his nightly Coldplay tradition alive on Broadway as well.

“Everyone in this company is just so full of music, and bursting with so many songs in their hearts. I am truly so lucky to get to share so much laughter and song with them every day. Hopefully we’ll get to share some of that magic with so many lucky audiences as well, like we did in London,” says Park.

For their own personal pre-show ritual, Park has curated a playlist they describe as “a random assortment of tunes that I’ve carried with me from various dressing rooms, some picked specifically for this production, others that just happen to find their way into most of my pre-show playlists because they do something for me no matter what.

“Often actors will tailor a playlist to a character, and I’ve found it to be such a fun and helpful way for me to slip into the world of whatever the gig is,” they add of the eclectic mix, which runs the gamut from classic showbiz tunes by Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli and Ethel Merman to more unexpected picks from recent decades, including a Sondheim-approved hit by Radiohead.

Below, dive into Park’s pre-show playlist with songs by David Bowie, Mika, Frank Sinatra and more.

1. Looking Glass – “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)”

I’ve enjoyed this song so much since I was a kid, and it just makes me feel very cheerful whilst putting my face on.

2. David Bowie – “All The Young Dudes”

I could easily make a whole list that is purely Bowie music, but I fear that wasn’t the brief. David has been one of the greatest influences for me musically throughout my life; I owe my voice to him.

3. Radiohead – “High and Dry”

Much like Stephen Sondheim, I love Radiohead. It’s good to know our tastes aligned in such a way, since it’s a shame we didn’t see eye-to-eye on most things.

4. Mika – “Grace Kelly”

An absolute banger, also a fantastic warm-up for the old chords. No notes.

5. Judy Garland – “Battle Hymn of the Republic”

Judy sings this song with a ferocity that is incomparable. It gives me chills every time.

6. David Bowie – “Life On Mars?”

Just a really lovely song to have playing in the background while I’m questioning all of my onstage choices and wondering when I should throw in the towel. He absolutely soars vocally on this one.

7. Liza Minnelli – “New York, New York”

Liza needs no explanation. This song needs NO explanation. LIZA!!!

8. Ethel Merman – “There’s No Business Like Show Business”

I discovered [The Ethel Merman Disco Album] in college and it has since followed me into adulthood, especially as one of the major songs associated with Oh, Mary! It used to blast over the speaker in my dressing room before each show in the West End and made me feel like I was truly a part of SHOWBIZ.

9. Frank Sinatra – “My Way”

This song just screams classic big old blow-out anthem, and for whatever reason it pumps me up. Incredibly camp.

10. David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland – “When Love Takes Over”

When Jamie Lloyd pitched this song to me as the closer for our production of Much Ado, I thought, “You’re going to have to find someone who can actually sing this.” Turns out lowering the key helps a lot. I’d like to think Carol Channing would’ve sung it in the key I’ve chosen.

11. Coldplay – “Fix You”

This song will make me think about Much Ado every time I hear it. It became a pre-show ritual led by our gorgeous Tom Hiddleston to gather and sing a rendition of this song as a full company before we went on stage every single night. Some of my favorite memories happened in this precious pre-show moment, and I’m grateful he brought us together for it every day, rain or shine.

Much Ado About Nothing tickets are available on Ticketmaster.