[His posse of longtime pals provides another outlet.] They carry on like your classic 'boys will be boys,' ... knows who his friends are.

That's the bottom line -- that no one gets hurt, no one gets injured, or hurts someone else while they're on the road.

[He also enjoys sharing the stage with] American Idol ... You know, she was thrown into a role that most musical theater actresses wait a lifetime to play because it's such a huge role. She handled it like a gem. I mean, she's got a set of pipes that you won't believe when you hear her. And she's got a real warmth and accessibility to the audience that allows the audience into the show. It's a very difficult thing to have. You either have that or you don't, and she's got it big-time.

It was nice being offered the role and not having to audition,

Catch Me

It's a surprise to me, and not because I'm not proud of the work, ... But I've been out here 61/2 years, so it feels foreign. But then again, if it helps bring attention to the film, I think it's a special little film and I want people to get to know it.