Photo: Courtesy of MATT ZARLEY
Matt Zarleyhas taken his talents from stage to stream.Known for roles in shows likeA Chorus LineandChicago, the 54-year-old Broadway vet is making a personal dream come true with his one-man web series11 O’Clock Number, which reimagines 12 iconic songs from the Great White Way as a dozen narrative episodes.“When I was 19 years old, I made my Broadway debut inA Chorus Line,” says Zarley, who sings"What I Did for Love"to close out the series. “It holds a really special place in my heart.“Another blast from the past that he holds dear? Being namedPEOPLE’s first openly gay bachelor back in the 2012 Bachelors issue.“It was an unbelievable honor,” he recalls. “So many people said to me, ‘You’re so brave for doing this,’ and I said, ‘I’m just being me, I don’t know what’s brave about that.'“Zarley continues, “I wasn’t aware of the magnitude at the time. I was surprised at how far and wide it reached.” In the years since, he’s says, “I have always wondered what it wouldn’t been like if the internet was around then [like it is now].“As far as how things have changed for the LGBTQ+ community in the past 20 years, Zarley says, “I think we have come really far. Positive representation in the media and entertainment has definitely helped. Unfortunately, all of theselegislative rollbackscurrently working their way through several states casts a bit of a dark cloud over the progress that we’ve made. But I’m determined we’re going to move forward and keep evolving as a society.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.11 O’Clock Numberis now streaming on YouTube.
Matt Zarleyhas taken his talents from stage to stream.
Known for roles in shows likeA Chorus LineandChicago, the 54-year-old Broadway vet is making a personal dream come true with his one-man web series11 O’Clock Number, which reimagines 12 iconic songs from the Great White Way as a dozen narrative episodes.
“When I was 19 years old, I made my Broadway debut inA Chorus Line,” says Zarley, who sings"What I Did for Love"to close out the series. “It holds a really special place in my heart.”
Another blast from the past that he holds dear? Being namedPEOPLE’s first openly gay bachelor back in the 2012 Bachelors issue.
“It was an unbelievable honor,” he recalls. “So many people said to me, ‘You’re so brave for doing this,’ and I said, ‘I’m just being me, I don’t know what’s brave about that.'”
Zarley continues, “I wasn’t aware of the magnitude at the time. I was surprised at how far and wide it reached.” In the years since, he’s says, “I have always wondered what it wouldn’t been like if the internet was around then [like it is now].”
As far as how things have changed for the LGBTQ+ community in the past 20 years, Zarley says, “I think we have come really far. Positive representation in the media and entertainment has definitely helped. Unfortunately, all of theselegislative rollbackscurrently working their way through several states casts a bit of a dark cloud over the progress that we’ve made. But I’m determined we’re going to move forward and keep evolving as a society.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
11 O’Clock Numberis now streaming on YouTube.
source: people.com
