BWW INTERVIEWS: Rogelio Douglas Jr., Benny from the In the Heights Tour, November 3 Through 8 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre
By: Joseph Harrison Oct. 31, 2009
The world of Washington Heights, New York may be as much of a foreign place to many Atlantans as another country, but when In The Heights, the critically acclaimed Broadway musical written by Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda comes to Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre November 3 - 8, this lively and exciting neighborhood may seem more and more like your own backyard.
In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in Washington Heights - a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It's a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. I sat down with Rogelio Douglas Jr., who plays Benny in the show and learned a little about his career, the show and how it feels to be part of a first national tour like this one.
I understand you have an interesting story about how you got into the theatre business?
Two years ago, I was very heavy and decided I wanted to lose weight, so I had a contest with some friends of mine to see whoever could lose the most weight in 2 months and I lost about 41 pounds. I decided I wanted to really pursue theatre again, so I opened up a Backstage newspaper and started the grind in New York and came across an open call for In the Heights. My friends said they didn't think it was possible to book something like that through an open call, that they just put the notice in the paper because equity makes them do it. But by the grace of God and Mr. Andy Blankenbuehler, I basically went through the whole process and got an invited call. I went in and was able to book my first broadway show through an open call, and it was wonderful. I was an offstage understudy and swing. My 3rd time going on, I got to go on as Benny, and Jen Rudin who is a director of casting and talent development saw me and told me to call her. So I did and got my next role as Sebastian in The Little Mermaid. So lo an behold, I had a theatre career, what I always dreamed of and it kind of just happened. I am very thankful and blessed that I get to live this life that is so wonderful.
Tell us a little about In the Heights. Many people may have heard of the show because of the critically acclaimed Broadway production, but may not know much about it. What can they expect when they come to see the show?
In the Heights is a story about home, hope, love, and community and it doesn't matter where you are from, even if you have only seen New York through newspaper, TV and Film you can still come in and get the experience of the neighborhood. When audiences see a high rise building and a corner store bodega, they might be entering into a foreign world but they can relate to it all, because everyone can relate to home and to love and to community and what its like to be a community even if you live in a small town. They know what it is like to get up every day and to make a community thrive. And that's what people connect with most. Everyone knows about the gossip ladies at the salon that are always talking or the neighborhood matriarch that everyone calls grandma or the one person, like Usnavi, that life relvolves around and who pretty much knows the whole town. In the Heights takes you on this emotional journey. You can expect to come in and laugh hysterically, cry uncontrollably, and gasp involuntarily. The show just moves you in so many different ways. I know I sound biased, but I spent my first 8 month just watching the show and learning it and I couldn't believe how powerful it was. I have seen this show, I have done it and heard the music and it still moves me, the story is just that incredible and I know I am very lucky to be a part of it.
Tell us a little about your character, Benny. How does he fit in the story?
Benny is basically best friends with the lead character, Usnavi. Benny also works over at the Rosarios, a car service. Basically the Rosarios watched him grow up as a kid and they watched him go through his teenage years and be a bit rambunctious and get into things. They basically took him in and mentored him. All Benny wants to do is something big. He says "This is going to be a huge day for me". Benny is all about moving forward and his best friend Usnavi hasn't moved forward with his love interest Vanessa so Benny decides it is time for both of them to take a step forward together. With Benny you see this guy who is excited about life today and moving forward and then all of a sudden he gets reconnected with Nina, the Rosarios daughter and his world gets a little jolt. When Nina arrives it changes things and Benny sees her in a different light for the first time. Overall you get to see Benny's journey there on stage.
You are just getting started on the road with this show, and Atlanta is just the second stop. How has your first stop been there in Tampa?
It has been incredible. The reception has been great. This version has the same music and the shell of the broadway production but there are a lot of intracacies and details that are different from the broadway show and that is what makes this special. We created this version and it allows the show to breathe. Out here in Tampa we have really had great crowds and at the stage door there are tons of kids, which is great. That's what is so incredible about this show, it appeals to a huge age demographic from your senior citizens to your young adults to teenagers and pre-teens. It is overwhelming at times but it is a warm feeling and it feels good. Especially to get a great reception from everyone. Our director Thomas Kail told us it is easy to get people to clap or to stand up at the end of the show but it isn't easy to get them to gasp and have this emptional connection all at once, and he's right, it is really an incredible feeling. We are all very lucky.
And you have been to Atlanta before, correct? I understand you have done some recording here in the past?
Yes, I was just down there working with a music house there. I also got my equity card there in Atlanta with the ALLIANCE THEATRE in Five Guys Named Moe, where I played Four-Eyed Moe. I was also there 2 years ago for the 25th anniversary of Dreamgirls with Jennifer Holliday at the Fox. So Atlanta is kind of my home for theatre. That's where it all started so I am excited to go back there. And the Fox Theatre is such an amazing theatre. It took my breath away when I first walked in there and there is so much history in that building.
What do you enjoy most about In The Heights? What do you look forward to the most?
What is special about this show is, like we always learn in theatre, there is no part that is too big or small and this show is a full example of that. What is exciting is that it is not about me per se but it is about us. And the fact that it is a community show that just helps it even more. I can't go out there unless I know that Woman #5 and Man #1 are ok. Before every show we circle up and pray and come together and tie in and when the music starts I am excited to go out there with my team, my famil,y and get to portray this wonderful story, its just amazing, and that is what I look forward to every time.
Anything else you would like to share with the readers?
I would tell Atlantans to come out and suspend disbelief and allow yourself to be transported and just come and enjoy yourself, let go, and release. Also, if they are interested to learn more about me they can check out my website at www.rogeliodouglasjr.com.
In the Heights plays the Fabulous Fox Theatre November 3 - 8. Tickets for can be purchased through authorized ticket sellers at The Fox Theatre Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or by phone at 1-800-982-2787. Orders for groups of 15 or more may be placed by calling 404-881-2000. For more information about the show, visit www.intheheightsthemusical.com
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