Words From The Wings: Michael Oberholtzer of TAKE ME OUT Shares His Favorite Backstage Moments, and More!
Hear what his favorite moments are to watch from the wings, and learn about what he does backstage before the show each night!
By: Stephi Wild Dec. 28, 2022
BroadwayWorld is bringing you Words From the Wings, a new series of interviews that take fans behind the scenes of some of their favorite Broadway stars' backstage routines!
Today we're chatting with Michael Oberholtzer of Take Me Out, who shared his backstage routines, favorite moments, and more! Check out his answers, along with photos taken by BroadwayWorld's Jennifer Broski, below!
What's the first thing you do when you arrive to the theatre?
The first thing do when I get to the theatre is check for any fan mail. There is usually none. If I'm feeling particularly ornery I will take Jesse Tyler Ferguson's mail and pretend it's for me.
What's the last thing you do before you go on stage?
I am not someone who finds it necessary to proselytize but the last thing I do before I go on stage is humble myself before the universe and express gratitude. Most people believe it resembles prayer. I have no problem with that.
What's your must-have backstage snack?
There are few things I need before a show in the way of a snack. I try not to be precious about these things. But I will say mustard & dry pretzels has become a favorite of mine.
Pre-show ritual that others may think is weird?
There is no methodology to this you see. Things just happen and then they happen again and then again and next thing you know it becomes a ritual. Dirden & I do a Red Bull at 5min. It's a banger!
What are five must-haves in your dressing room?
Alright, I try very hard to be actor who needs as little as possible to do his job. That being said here are a few things that I find necessary to have on hand (in no particular order); Manuka Honey - I take a spoonful before my last scene. It's magic; Liquid IV - I can't afford to be dehydrated. I drink 3L of water a day.; Mouthwash - nobody doesn't appreciate it; A Book - right now I'm reading The Book of Joe: Trying not to suck at Baseball & Life by Tom Verducci; at Second Stage it was James Baldwin; The Script...there is always something to work on and it's right there in the words. Richard Greenberg does so much of the work for you :-)
What's your favorite moment from the show to watch from the wings?
I love all the language and ideas of this play. The whole thing. It is truly one of our great American plays. And every one shines in their part. I hear new things every night. Here are a few moments/scenes that I find myself watching night after night - Julian's monologue; Dirden's final scene; JTF pleading with Darren not to quit; Darren & Mason's first meeting. Although I don't see it, I love listening to Ken Marks at the top of Act 2. It's always a treat.
What has been your favorite backstage moment in your time with this show so far?
My favorite backstage moment is top of the play. The National Anthem begins - the lights go down, the people cheer, the scrim rises and all my guys walk downstage in unison; Gives me chills. Jacks me up!
About Michael Oberholtzer
Broadway and Off-Broadway: Hand to God, The Babylon Line (Lincoln Center), The Talls (Second Stage). TV/Film: "The Good Fight," "Bull" (CBS), "Sneaky Pete," "Good Girls Revolt" (Amazon), "The Americans" (FX), "Forever (ABC), "NYC 22 (CBS), "Law & Order" (NBC); Delivery Man (DreamWorks), Hair Brained, Hits, Cut Shoot Kill, Trouble, Staring at the Sun, Aardvark, South Mountain, Shelter in Solitude (2023).
About Take Me Out
The 2022 Tony Award Winning Revival of a Play Take Me Out officially returned to Broadway on October 27. Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, TAKE ME OUT, a Second Stage Theater Production, has returned for a 14-week engagement at the Schoenfeld Theatre (236 W 45th St).
Tony Award® Nominee Jesse Williams and Tony Award® Winner Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Julian Cihi, Hiram Delgado, Brandon J. Dirden, Carl Lundstedt, Ken Marks, Tony Award® Nominee Michael Oberholtzer, Eduardo Ramos and Tyler Lansing Weaks return to reprise their roles with Bill Heck joining the company in the role of "Kippy." They are joined by understudies Michael Castillejos, Blake Russell, Lance Takeshi, Stephen Wattrus, and Tim Wright.
Written by Richard Greenberg and directed by Scott Ellis, Take Me Out opened in spring 2022 to rave reviews and went on to garner four Tony Award nominations, winning Best Revival of a Play and Best Featured Actor in a Play for Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
Videos