Okay, how many of you were waiting with baited breath to see what happens to a shoe after the leather is moulded into its' shoe shape? 100s of you? 1000s?! For me, A shoe really becomes a shoe at the machine of Eric Anderson, who plays Mutt Johnston. He's the one who puts the sole on the bottom of it. Eric/Mutt takes his job very seriously. He's at that machine all day and all night pretending to put soles on shoes. If anyone could actually apply for a job at a shoe factory after doing this musical, Eric would nail it. He would literally nail it. Some excerpts from our interview:
Tory Ross as Pat Smythe: So Mutt, what do you do at the Price and Son shoe factory?
Eric Anderson as Mutt Johnston: I'm the master sole stitcher.
TR as PS: What does that mean?
EA as MJ: I sew the soles masterfully.
TR as PS: When you say sole, do you mean sole of a shoe or is it spiritual for you?
EA as MJ: Well I guess it's all about perspective, innit?
TR as PS: Would you care to elaborate on that statement?
EA as MJ: No.
TR as PS: How long have you been working at Price and Son?
EA as MJ: About 25 years.
TR as PS: And how'd you get the job?
EA as MJ: Showed up.
TR as PS: Is it your sparkling personality and wit that keeps you so busy all day or are you more of a solitary worker?
EA as MJ: I just like to get a job done.
TR as PS: Who is your favourite person at the factory.
EA as MJ: Eh, we're all like family but I s'pose Lauren.
TR as PS: And tell me why.
EA as MJ: She's got a sunny disposition.
TR as PS: And who is your least favourite person at the factory?
EA as MJ: I can't... I can't pick just one. Paddy.
TR as PS: Why Paddy?
EA as MJ: I dunno, he's alright I guess... sometimes he's inappropriate when he's working.
TR as PS: Would you care to elaborate on that?
EA as MJ: He talks about [content removed by me as it is filthy and VERY inappropriate].
John Jeffrey Martin as Paddington Crisp: HEY! [content] is appropriate!
TR as PS: Right. [to Mutt] What is your favourite part about making shoes?
EA as MJ: Lunch.
TR as PS: What do you typically eat for lunch?
EA as MJ: [long pause] Food.
TR as PS: Any other comments? Anything you'd like to share about shoes? Your job? Your life?
EA as MJ: It's not for everyone. It's for me.
TR as PS: Shoes are your life?
EA as MJ: Right.
Eric Anderson as Mutt Johnston
John Jeffrey Martin as Paddington Crisp annoys Mutt Johnston.
A softer side of Mutt.