Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Milkwater’s Michael Judson Berry

You may recognize Michael Judson Berry from his incredibly popular series of QuaranTeaTime videos. In them, he hilariously puts on the persona of beloved character Moira Rose from the hit TV show Schitt’s Creek.

But before that series, Michael Judson Berry has done work both on stage and screen as well as behind-the-scenes. Not only was he a National Tour member of Spamalot, but he also worked at TV/Film/Broadway casting agencies. And, recently, he completed his first feature film, Milkwater.

We caught up with Michael to chat about his career, Milkwater, and how it always comes back to Schitt’s Creek.

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Michael: I was a child with a high need for attention. I did my first show when I was six—it was this production of The King and I because my mom always loved theater. My dad was a musician and a performer when he was young. They wanted both my sister and I to try everything, so along with sports, they thought we should try out for theater. We learned very early on that I was the one that loved doing theater, and my sister was the better athlete. So, we found our paths.

But yeah, I played one of the royal princes and got to look up Mrs. Anna’s big hoop skirt. I’m the one that got to see if her legs were shaped like that. It got a laugh every night, and the six-year-old me thought that was the best thing ever. That’s where it started.

Then after that, I did this production of Oliver where I got to understudy Oliver. I remember the first time I went on, sitting alone in a spotlight, singing “Where is Love”, and looking at the audience. I’ll never forget that moment.

After, my parents took me to see Beauty and the Beast in Toronto. I remember watching that production and walking out there as a little kid thinking, “One day, I’m going to be that person. I’m going to be that candlestick guy”, and here I am.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Michael: I’d have to say my family. My parents, my older sister, and I are very, very tight. They’ve all influenced me in huge ways, but differently. My mom holds me accountable and was also the one that pushed me into theater and exposed me to theater. She was like, “If you’re going to do this, you’re going to do this right. You’re going to prepare for auditions. You’re going to take dance lessons, voice lessons, and acting lessons. You’re going to learn how to be good at this.”

My dad was the one who was like, “Have fun, but try and learn something.” He was always the one that reminded me to enjoy myself.

My sister is a saint who watches over me. She’s the only reason I passed math in high school and is constantly bailing me out of things. Personally, I’m still alive because of them.

Professionally, I grew up watching loads of old movies and sketch shows. I learned a lot of my clowning and comedy from watching old screwball comedies with Cary Grant and clips of the Carol Burnett Show and Robin Williams’ stand-up routines. Those are some of my favorites. That’s where I started, even as a kid, doing funny voices and accents. I was trying to imitate Carole Burnett, Robin Williams, or Monty Python—they were huge.

PC: In addition to acting, you’re also a writer. How has your work behind the scenes made you a stronger actor and vice versa?
Michael: Writing is still fairly new to me. This web series was my first time creating something all on my own and putting it out for the world to see. I never quite had the confidence to do it. I have loads of friends who were creating things, but I never believed I was funny or clever enough. Then I was like, “What have I got to lose?”

Writing has made me a stronger actor because when I’m crafting a sketch, I’m so cognizant of how I’m going to say these phrases because I have such a strong improv background that I write it and then I play within what I’ve written. I can riff off of it; I can expand upon it in the moment. That’s made me a sharper actor because it’s forced me to be more specific. I have a lot more respect for writers now when they’re crafting a sentence and that so much of acting is already done for you by the writer. I’ve learned how important each word is.

PC: You have a new film out now. Tell us about Milkwater, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Michael: It’s a beautiful indie film about this young woman who feels lost in her life. Her friends are all growing up and moving on around her, but she’s stuck. She agrees to be a surrogate for this older gay man that she meets in a bar. It’s a very rash decision, but you follow her over the course of the pregnancy and see how much she grows as a person in her personal relationships throughout it.

I play her best friend’s boyfriend, who is the comic relief of the film. It was one of those really fun moments that never happens, where I got the audition scenes at nine o’clock in the morning and they needed a self-tape sent to the casting director by noon. Then, I somehow booked it, and I found out that afternoon that I got the film and was on set a few days later. It was crazy how fast it was. I had barely any time to prepare.

It’s funny: it all comes back to Schitt’s Creek. I read this scene and I didn’t have time to actually read the script as a film, but the scenes I’m in, I thought it was a comedy. He reminded me of Alexis from Schitt’s Creek if she was a young gay man living in Hell’s Kitchen. I did this terrible Alexis impression and then, of course, afterwards read the script, and I was like, “Oh, this is more of a drama. How did I even book this?” [laughs] I showed up on set and Morgan [Ingari], who wrote and directed it, was like, “Yeah, your take was so different from everyone else’s.” In my head, I was like, “They probably read the script.” [laughs]

But, she thought I was making this big, bold choice, and I got the part. It was great because then once I got there, she liked that character choice. She let me improv and play within the scenes I was in as well. So, I was already doing Schitt’s Creek impression before I did the TeaTime thing, apparently.

PC: The film’s been incredibly well-received. What do you think is resonating most with audiences?
Michael: Yeah, it has. We’ve won best screenplay and best picture in a few festivals. It’s very exciting. I think because it’s about this young woman in her early thirties who is looking around at other people and trying to figure life out. I feel like that’s what we’re told: “You’re in your thirties. You’re an adult. You should have everything figured out.” She doesn’t. She does this big, bold thing to try and help her get out of it, even though it doesn’t go as she’s expected. That’s something a lot of us can relate to.

PC: You also started a quarantine show during TikTok. Tell us about QuaranTeaTime.
Michael: It’s basically if Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek had her own little talk show. Each episode is her having a cup of tea and either interviewing a celebrity or character that I’ve created that I also play or talking about the various trials and tribulations that we’re all going through, but from her very specific perspective, along with her very specific vocabulary. I’ve done loads of impressions along with her, including the whole Rose family, and I’ve acquired about twenty-five wigs. So, it’s definitely come a long way.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Michael: I don’t feel guilty about it at all, but I love UNHhhh. It’s a YouTube show with Trixie Mattel and Katya from RuPaul’s Drag Race. I love it. When I want to switch my brain off and laugh, I watch them…but I don’t feel guilty about that in the least.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Michael: She’s the Man. That’s in my top five favorite films of all time. For such an old Hollywood aficionado, people are shocked that I love She’s the Man. I will basically watch anything with Amanda Bynes. I know every word of that movie. I love it.

PC: Favorite book?
Michael: It’s a tie between Cutting for Stone and Little French Bistro.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Michael: That’s a tough one. I have so many. My favorite play that I’ve ever seen was the revival of Boeing-Boeing on Broadway with Mark Rylance.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Michael: My favorite band is Jukebox the Ghost.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Michael: Probably Darren Criss. I’ve been told by multiple people that I look like his less attractive brother.

To keep up with Michael, follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

Photo Credit: Ryan Baker