It's that time of the year again when the New York Musical Theatre Festival hits the Big Apple and I have the inside word on a new show called Whatever Man from the star of the show, Colin Hanlon, who plays Charlie Weiss. Hanlon has been seen on Broadway in Rent and Off-Broadway in I Love You Because and The Pirates of Penzance. He starred in the George Street productions of The Last Five Years and tick, tick . . . BOOM!, and he has also performed at Syracuse Stage and the Prince Music Theatre. Hanlon was also involved in the workshops of Wicked, Taboo and Fanny Hill.
Here's a synopsis of the show:
'For all his good intentions, Charlie Weiss just can't get it together. But everything changes after his strong-willed girlfriend, Anna Pink, forces him into a self-help group where Charlie encounters disturbed Superheros--The Swan, Ice Man and the legendary Mr. Perfect---desperate to share their troubles. When their petty squabbles escalate, will Charlie choose to save the world, his relationship or himself? Whatever Man.'
This is the world premiere of WHATEVER MAN (www.WhateverManOnStage.com) a new American musical with book, music and lyrics by Benjamin Strouse, which runs September 29th at 8:00pm, September 30th at 1:00pm, October 2nd at 7:30pm, October 3rd at 1:00 pm, October 4th 8:00pm, and October 8th at 1:00pm at the 45th Street Theatre (354 W. 45th Street).
The cast also features: Paolo Montalban (The King and I and Pacific Overtures on Broadway, ABC/Disney telepic of Rodger and Hammerstein's Cinderella), Colin Hanlon (Rent, I Love You Because), Russell Arden Koplin (Les Miserables, James Joyce's The Dead), Kristin Maloney (The Streets of New York, How Now, Dow Jones), David Andrew Anderson (The Wild Party, Man of La Mancha), Alfred Christmas (Ragtime, Porgy and Bess, Margaret Garner at NYC Opera), Philip Hoffman (A Catered Affair, Fiddler on the Roof), Laiona Michelle (Dinah Was, Crowns, Yellow Man) and Austin Ku (The Pirates of Penzance, Anything Goes).
TJ: Colin, what was it about Whatever Man that caught your attention?
HANLON: It's a new show, and I've heard great things about Hillary Adams, our director, and Ben Strouse, our writer/composer. I love working on new projects and helping to develop original characters. Also, the creative team asked me to work with them on the project. Always nIce To be invited to the party, you know?
TJ: I can imagine it would be. So, tell me a little about the show and your role in it.
HANLON: Charlie is a very complicated character on the page. It's been an interesting challenge to make him someone who people will relate to and like. I find him to be very sarcastic and witty, but with a good heart. Kinda like me. =) It's hard to explain the show without giving away plot points. Charlie helps to save the world; I'll leave it at that. Broad strokes! Broad strokes!!!!!
TJ: And how have rehearsals for the show been going?
HANLON: Rehearsals are going very well (I have to say that, right?...joking..joking!). They really are. It is a difficult task to write a new piece and to be open to change. Ben and Hillary have been so open to new ideas and thoughts. Sometimes I think I have too many ideas for our limited amount of rehearsal time. I'm so grateful for their patience. We have a tremendous cast and a gifted creative team.
TJ: OK! Now, when you are auditioning for roles, what is it that you look for in a stage role?
