When he was in his mid-20s, Grayson Powell spent the summer between college and graduate school working at Cheers (the former Bull & Finch Pub) in the Back Bay and at Faneuil Hall. Fast forward six years, and the actor is playing the part of Sam Malone in “Cheers Live on Stage’’ at the Shubert Theatre through Sept. 18. “I love playing Sam,’’ Powell, 31, said in a recent phone interview. “Ted Danson is such an amazing actor and brought such light to that role. I will try to do it justice.’’ The actor, who is from Columbia, S.C., splits his time between New York and Boston, where his wife, Carrie Ann Quinn, works as an acting professor at UMass Boston. We caught up with Powell to talk about all things travel.
Favorite vacation destination? Sydney. We went there for our honeymoon because my wife was doing a play there right after. It had a little bit of everything. Awesome beaches, New York City-style metropolis, tropical climate. The wild animals there were super cool. I learned a life lesson from a cockatoo. I’m definitely going back there several more times.
Favorite food or drink while vacationing? Local beers. I’m big on checking the local craft brew scene. As a home brewer, it’s always fun to discover new beers, meet the brewers, and learn about their beer culture.
Where would you like to travel to but haven’t? I’d love to go to Africa or Asia. According to my recent DNA coding, I am one percent sub-Saharan African. Also, my friend Shang Ho from grad school is a film star in Taiwan, and he says I must come there.
One item you can’t leave home without when traveling? I don’t go anywhere without my headphones.
Aisle or window? I usually prefer the aisle. I’m also 6-foot-5, so I stretch my legs in the aisle and try to make friends with the flight attendants, or get an exit row. If I’m in an exit row, I prefer the window because I’m a big “loves to see the clouds and landscape below the plane’’ guy.
Favorite childhood travel memory? My family would travel a lot to Charleston, S.C., in a camper and stay at James Island County Park, which I think charged like $20 a night at the time. We would ride bikes, blast music, fish, go crabbing on a local dock, and just look at the stars.
Guilty pleasure when traveling? I sleep in. I eat and drink whatever I want. I also try and ask the concierge what the craziest thing to do is in the city. I also spend a lot of money on data while video chatting with my parents.
Best travel tip? I think it’s always good to do some research before you travel anywhere, but I’ve found some of the most memorable experiences were from having no plans and just stumbling upon a good time. One of the most fun times I had was in London. My wife and I were trying to find Notting Hill and we took the wrong train. It was pouring rain and we had dinner at a Tex-Mex next to an auto repair garage. It was a great night.
JULIET PENNINGTON
