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Andrew Rannells says basketball musical number on ‘Girls’ was inspired by a real-life audition

Andrew Rannells’ character of Elijah tried out for a basketball musical in the most recent episode of HBO’s Girls was inspired by a real-life audition.

As an unknown, the future Book of Mormon star, tried out for a pre-Broadway production of a musical version of White Men Can’t Jump.

He got through the reading and singing parts of the audition and even managed the dancing portion of the process.

Rannells tells Jimmy Fallon on NBC’s The Tonight Show that’s when things began to dribble out of his comfort zone.

‘They wheeled out these carts of basketballs but I was thinking like: “Whatever. Who’s going to be good at basketball?” Turns out all those bastards had secret basketball skills – twirling balls. We’re all supposed to be in musical theater – we’re not supposed to be good at sports! Why is anyone good at sports?’

But clearly his singing, acting and dancing skills were enough for Rannells to get the job.

Still, his skills at the hoop did not improve during the run of the show.

It was rather glaring since as part of the plot, his character was supposed to make three baskets.

Rannells says he would only successfully make the shot about half the time but the scoreboard would have to change anyway as if the ball had gone in.

‘I was terrible at it. It was a disaster.’

FILE UNDER: Late Night

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