One of the biggest hits on Broadway this season, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE is one of the most original and unique musicals the Great White Way has seen in years. It features an amazing cast including Tony Award Winner Sutton Foster, Edward Hibbert, Georgia Engel and Beth Leavel, who won the 2006 Tony Award for her performance as the title character.
Also appearing as the engaging character of Feldzeig is the amazing Lenny Wolpe, who himself is no stranger to the Broadway stage. He has appeared in THE SOUND OF MUSIC opposite Richard Chamberlain, ONWARD VICTORIA, INTO THE LIGHT and COPPERFIELD. Off Broadway he has appeared as the title character in MAYOR , portraying his honor Ed Koch, BROWNSTONE, COMPANY and THE WONDER YEARS. Wolpe has worked extensively at the Coconut Grove Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, Goodspeed Opera House and Sacramento Music Circus. Recent regional roles include Herbie in GYPSY (opposite Betty Buckley), Meyer Rothschild in THE ROTHCHILDS, Morris in NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY, Herr Schultz in CABARET and Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY.
Wolpe has also been a television staple, appearing as a series regular on "Baby Talk" with George Clooney and Julia Duffy, and recurring roles on "L.A Law," "Something So Right," "You're The One," "Sisters" and "Pacific Palisades." He has also guest starred on nearly 70 primetime shows, including "ER," "Ally McBeal," "Party of Five," "Norm," "Roseanne," "Coach," "Murphy Brown," "Murder One," "Mad About You," and "Diagnosis Murder."
I asked Wolpe some questions recently about THE DROWSY CHAPERONE and life as an actor.
TJ: So, Lenny, how did you get in to the acting business?
WOLPE: I was an American history major at George Washington University and went to the theatre department to see if they could use any help as a way to meet people. I've always loved math and they actually had me work in the box office. I eventually took over managing the university theatre box office. I thought that I'd take shot and audition for one of the main stage productions and amazingly got cast as a freshman. The bug bit. I never dreamed that I could do theatre professionally, but a had a wonderful mentor at GW who really encouraged me to consider persuing theatre. I switched majors and went to grad school at the University of Minnesota to get my degree to teach theatre. I thought that would be as close to a life in theatre as I would get. I had the good fortune to start working at a wonderful theatre in the twin cities called Chanhassen. Got my union card and never looked back.
