BWW INTERVIEWS: Hanlon Says 'Whatever Man'

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 29^th at 8:00pm, September 30^th at 1:00pm, October 2^nd  at 7:30pm, October 3^rd  at 1:00 pm, October 4^th 8:00pm, and October 8^th at 1:00pm at the 45^th Street Theatre (354 W. 45^th 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?

HANLON:  Any time anyone asks me to originate something, I immediately jump at the opportunity. The hardest thing to do in this business is to be the first actor to perform a role in front of an audience. It's also the most thrilling part of my job, when it all works out. I'm so grateful that I have gotten to play as many parts as I have. I really love the roles that enable me to develop both as an actor and singer. If characters are superficial or plain, then I tend to get bored easily.

TJ:  I always like to know about actors and their beginnings...how did you get into the business?

HANLON:  I have a drama degree from Syracuse University. My manager Edie Robb has been with me since day one! I would never be here without her professional guidance and personal support.  Not to mention my extremely supportive family. Hi Mom, Dad, and Kelly!

TJ:  The family support is truly major. Now I noticed that you also performed in Rent on Broadway. What was that experience like for you and how long were you doing that show?

HANLON:  Rent was a memorable experience. I was honored to have that show be my Broadway debut. I slept on the street outside of the Nederlander Theatre in 1996 with my best friend Julie to see it, and I'm only 19 now...crazy, huh? What's funny is that I never thought I'd actually perform in the pop-culture force that is "Rent." I was a classically trained singer growing up, so I never sang rock or pop music. I loved it when I saw it, but I thought "Oh, I'll do "The Pirates of Penzance" instead." Guess I was lucky enough to have done both in New York. I do feel very fortunate for and humbled by my career, always. The Rent family is a big old, amazingly dysfunctional family that I am so happy to be a part of.  

TJ:  Working in the business, I know that you probably get to meet a lot of very interesting and well-known people. Who has been the most famous person you have met to date?

HANLON:  I have had the pleasure and honor of having dinner, drinks and friendships with people that the world would deem famous. To me, they are just people who tourists and fans recognize on the street. Plus, I'd feel really tacky name dropping. The most famous people to me are my best friends and more importantly my family. That may sound lame, but it's true. I hope my famous friends don't get mad I didn't name them.

TJ:  OK, I respect that. So, what's in the works for you after Whatever Man?

HANLON:  I am grateful to have worked the entire year as an actor. That alone is an accomplishment to me. I have tons of readings and works in progress that may or may not go into production in the next year or so. Cross your fingers everyone. Feeding my dog, Teddy, depends on it. I've made the mistake of announcing things in the past that just took a little longer then expected or didn't end up happening. My favorite aspect of this job is to be asked by a group of people who I don't know to work on a project with them, as a result of them having seen or heard my previous work. So to that I say, "Ask me, random strangers, I'll probably do it."

TJ:  What advice would you give to someone wanting to break into the business?

HANLON:  Be nIce To everyone on the way up and even nicer on the way down. Seriously though, directors, producers, and casting agents want to work with people they like. It's common sense, really. It's very rare that I work with someone once and never again. Creating art can be a scary adventure, and everyone wants to be surrounded by their loved ones and people with lots of money. The best advice I can tell someone in this insane business is try to find the love in your craft everyday, especially when you face constant rejection. If you are passionate about acting, then that will drive you to keep pounding the pavements and continue to audition.

TJ:  What is something that people don't know about you?

HANLON:  I am more Italian than anything else, half to be exact. Don't let my last name fool you. I will cut you, and so will my Uncle Guido. 

OK, I get it...this guy has been watching way too much of The Sopranos! (laughing) So maybe you should get up, up, up and away and get your tickets for WHATEVER MAN, a bargain at $20, and the show plays at the 45^th Street Theater (354 W. 45^th Street) from September 29- October 8, 2009. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (212) 352-3101 or by visiting www.nymf.org. For more information: www.WhateverManOnstage.com  or www.nymf.org. 

As for me, I am going back to my secret identity, known by only a few people living in the Witness Protection Program, and a hint for you....theatre is my life. Ciao!

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.