Sacramento's 'Javert' Brad Little Shares Some Thoughts

Brad Little has played the role of the Phantom over 2,100 times in theaters across America, on Broadway, and in Asia since 1997.  Brad is a native Californian raised in Redlands. His other Broadway and national tour credits include: Cyrano, the Musical, playing the role of Captain De Castel Jaloux; Fiddler on the Roof, with Topol; the Lincoln Center production of Anything Goes directed by Jerry Zaks, in which he understudied and played the role of Billy Crocker opposite Leslie Uggams. The New York Times head theater critic Ben Brantley gave Brad a rave review for his portrayal of Willy in New York City's I Married an Angel, written by Rodgers and Hart. He won the 2001 Barrymore award for Best Actor in a Musical.  He is also Philadelphia Inquirer Philly Award winner for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Che in Bristol Riverside Theatre's production of Evita in Bristol, PA. Brad also has won international acclaim for his portrayal of Jesus in the European Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, and Tony in West Side Story.

Some of the shows he's starred in across this beautiful nation are: The Scarlet Pimpernel (Percy) at The Music Circus in Sacramento, Beauty and the Beast (The Beast) at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA, Jekyll & Hyde (Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde) at Long Island's Gateway Playhouse, A Little Night Music (Carl-Magnus) at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, South Pacific (Lt. Cable) with Howard Keel at Atlanta's Theater of the Stars, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change! at Cincinnati's Playhouse in the Park, Babes in Toyland (Allen) with Eddie Bracken as the Toymaker at the Houston Grand Opera, Rags (Saul) at Music Theatre of Wichita, Phantom (Erik, "The Phantom") at Tennessee Rep, 1776 (Thomas Jefferson) at Pennsylvania Center Stage, The Robber Bridegroom (Jamie Lockhart) at Bristol Riverside Theatre, PA., and many others.

I caught up to Brad, who was invited back to the Music Circus in Sacramento in final rehearsals for his role of Javert in their production of Les Miserables,which runs from July 10th to 22nd.

Pati Buehler: You have played so many roles. What do you draw on for the energy and ability to get into each character? Which characters that you've played have been the most challenging and enjoyable, and why?

Brad Little: Of course it is reading the script, finding out how that character touches me and how I can best interpret that. The characters are inside of me and it's a matter of letting them out in a way that no one else has done it, we hope. I can only do whatever my body or my knowledge can do. I'm not a character actor, so I guess we need to see what comes out of me in regards to what the writer has done.

The 3 or 4 characters I have played that were most challenging would be Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Jekyll & Hyde, The Phantom and Percy (The Scarlet Pimpernel). I would say the most challenging was Percy. Again, it was here in Sacramento. It was a brand new role that I had a week and a half to learn. It's three characters in one that you play that barely ever leave the stage; challenging, yes, but so enjoyable. Because the show is not done all that much, we had a lot of new people in the show. Now that I'm back here in Sacramento, I'm hearing that the folks here really enjoyed it a lot.

PB:  Your thoughts on The Phantom of the Opera:  How long will you wear the mask (laughing)? Has the production changed much since you came on board? What about its future?

BL: Who knows! You never say never it seems with Phantom of the Opera!  I could do more and more of this for as long as my body holds out. It's a role that I have thoroughly enjoyed and has been so good to me, and how could I ever abandon it? Of course I'm not the one who hires me. Has the production changed since I came on board? Yes, little things here and there. Having different Christines will change it up all the time and I love that! I wouldn't say that a lot has changed. That's the beauty of the piece. Why fix something that's not broken? I'm glad that they don't mess with it as they do with some other works. For example, Les Miserables on Broadway; it was something that was already working beautifully and they came along and made some changes.  But they've not done that with Phantom and I'm glad they haven't.  Phantom's future? Well, to me, I think the movie gave it another jump start and gave it exposure to a new generation of young people who are saying, "Wow, mom and dad really knew what they were talking about. This is really cool."  Everyone has their own opinion about the movie, and so do I, but since you didn't ask me, I'm not going to give it (laughing). But I'm sure you can guess.  I do think it was a wonderful tool, an infomercial, if you will, towards the show's longevity.

PB: What are your thoughts on the current Broadway scene?

BL: You know, I'm kind of glad to see the jukebox musicals dying out. Right now, there is so much variety. I've not yet seen Spring Awakening, but I would love to see it. It seems to be the new craze and everyone seems to like it, so we'll see where all this takes us. It appears that the trend is that you really have to be a triple threat, having to sing dance and act and be 18 years old. (Laughing) Obviously that doesn't bode well with me, but I'm sure there will always be the classics in the mix. So I think the variety will help Broadway thrive well.

PB: Please tell us about the Sacramento Les Miz production.

BL: Well, I am really enjoying the fact that we are doing this in the round. You know, the Broadway blocking on stage is copyrighted so we have had to make a lot of adjustments. So if people are coming here looking for a certain step or entrance, well, legally we can't do exactly what you see on Broadway, so that has allowed us to be a lot more creative with this production.

As far a Javert, I am still in rehearsals so I am still looking for the arc in his character. So instead of his character being the police man who seems to stop everything out of frustration with Valjean, I'm still looking, exploring the role and still processing everything. Hopefully when we are into the costumes and the orchestra is with us, I'll be able to find a new level to Javert other than the pissed-off officer.  For instance while looking into his character, I'm thinking "Is he a married man? I'm thinking he's not because of his obsession that won't allow him the time because he has this full time job of serving the law of the land. Another thing I'm excited about is that I don't have to scream anything above an F (laughing), compared to all these other tenor roles. So this is kind of a vacation for my voice and I am loving that.

PB: Brad, what are your personal career goals? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

BL: Pati, I just want to be doing theater. Of course everyone wants to be on Broadway.  But you know at this point, it really doesn't matter if it's on a tour, it's still doing theater. I've done my share of Broadway and it is great. But for the next 5 years, I am just as happy bringing this out there to the people everywhere for so long. I am doing what I love and paying my bills and I feel like a blessed man.

PB: Any advice for "fresh-out-of-high-school" aspiring thespians?

BL: I would absolutely tell them "don't do it."  It is very, very difficult doing this, living on very little money for a very long time. Everything you've heard about this being hard, multiply that by 10. Pati, I know this doesn't sound encouraging, but if I can talk any student to stay out of the business then they really don't have the fire and the guts to stay in it. There is so much heartache and tears that I have experienced and I don't wish that upon anyone, though when we work I can't think of anything more exciting. When you get that call that you've got the job and you come in and do this God giving thing that we do, it is great.  But I try to discourage young ones from getting into this unless they absolutely have to do it.  The best advice I can give towards that is: study, study, study and we hope to see you on the boards.

PB: Brad, thank you so much for this very honest chat.

Brad is scheduled to play opposite his lovely wife Barbara McCulloh once again in The Bristol Riverside Theater's production of I Do, I Do! in Bristol Pa., Brad & Barbara's home town in October 2007. For more information visit www.brtstage.org or www.bradlittle.com

Photo credits:  #1 Brad as Javert, courtesy Charr Crail Sacramento Music Theater

#2 Brad as Percy in Scarlet Pimplernel from www.bradlittle.com 

#3 headshot photo from www.bradlittle.com

Interview with Andrea Rivette, Sacramento's Fantine: broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=19959