Plays Count Orsini-Rosenberg
What is YOUR theater origin story?
My first role was Mark Antony in a 6th grade production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Yes, Julius Caesar. For some reason, the educators back in the day felt Shakespeare's Julius Caesar was an appropriate play to cap off 6th-grade "Roman Day". While it seemed long to a 12-year old, it must have been an extremely abridged version. I think Caesar was assassinated on the steps of the forum and then I delivered the "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" passage. That was it, and I became fascinated inhabiting characters different from myself and giving life to another's words.
Where else have you performed and what are some of your favorite roles?
I have performed with various companies in the Chicagoland area. Most recently: Elsinore Ensemble in Elgin, Galaxy Theater in La Grange, WT in St Charles, and the Parker Players. I have also been fortunate to work with Oakton Community College in Des Plaines on various projects.
My favorite role tends to be the one I am doing at the moment; however, I have enjoyed playing a wide range. These include the bigoted Juror 10 in Twelve Angry Men, lovable Charlie in The Foreigner and stoic Otto Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank. Other favorite roles include Martini (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest), Renfield (Dracula), Jonathan Brewster (Arsenic and Old Lace), Leo/Maxine and Jack Stephanie (Leading Ladies) and Doug the Hot Dog.
Do you work primarily as a performer or do you have a ‘day job’?
Don't we all have day jobs?
What do you list at the bottom of your resume as your ‘additional skills’?
Accents - English, Australian, South African and vaguely "Slavic", Directing, Dramaturgy, Instruments - triangle and kazoo, Japanese
What drew you to auditioning for this production?
The play profoundly moved me when I first experienced it. The themes of virtue/vulgarity, genius/mediocrity, and fame/infamy made a strong impression. When I saw the audition and the exciting interpretation, I knew I needed to be a part of it.
Tell us about who you play in Amadeus.
Count Orsini-Rosenberg, Director of the Imperial Opera. He is a member of Joseph II's court and keeper of the musical status quo. For the Count, innovation is the enemy of art.
Biggest challenge in playing this role?
Blending 18th, 20th and 21st century sensibilities, finding the character's "truth" in a very different world, and feeling the musicality that underscores the entire production
What sort of person is going to love this show?
Let's put it this way, Count Orsini-Rosenberg would hate it, at least publically.
Call someone out by name: who must come see this production?
Mozart and/or Salieri. I would be curious to hear their thoughts afterwards.
What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?
What did I just experience?
Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite line of dialogue?
"And then suddenly, high above it, sounded a single note on the oboe."
What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage?
Release a deep breath and focus attention on what I am about to go into on stage.
Anything else you want to add?
No one should miss this singular interpretation of a well known story. Love it or hate it, you will remember it.
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