BWW Interviews: BRANDON CURRY, a Charlotte Native Talks GHOST THE MUSICAL

GHOST THE MUSICAL features an original pop score from multiple Grammy Award-winners Dave Stewart (one half of the 80s pop duo the Eurythmics) and Glen Ballard (co-writer with Alanis Morissette on the multi-platinum album Jagged Little Pill, among many other notable credits and collaborations). It is adapted from the hit film by its Academy Award-winning screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin (Ghost, Jacob's Ladder, The Time Traveler's Wife). Illusions are created by famous stage and film illusionist Paul Kieve (Hugo, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Matilda the Musical, Pippin). Believe in love, believe in fate, believe in forever with GHOST THE MUSICAL, is at Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, April 1-6. Tickets are on sale at Blumenthal Performing Arts Box Office: 704-372-1000 and BlumenthalArts.org.Blumenthal Performing Arts Belk Theater.

I spoke with Brandon Curry, Charlotte born and raised about GHOST THE MUSICAL, his role as the "Subway Ghost" and ensemble, and all things Charlotte, as he was on tour in Indianapolis.

LAW: Where are you now?

BC: Indiapolis Indiana. We got here Monday. It's cold here.

LAW: You come from North Carolina, where did you grow up?

BC: I was closer to Huntersville. I went to North Mecklenburg High School. I was a Charlotte kid.

LAW: What was it like growing up in Charlotte?

BC: I have fond memories. It was Great! Charlotte supports theater and I was involved in great recreational programs growing up.

LAW: How long have you been acting?

BC: When I was 14 years old, I was in Twist and Shout. I was also cast in a production about dating violence, which toured all CMS schools, while I was in high school.

LAW: How did you get the role of "Subway Ghost"?

BC: It was an open call with 400 people.

LAW: What was your most memorable experience in your profession?

BC: I'm going to put Ghost first. To work with this very professional team with Broadway Tony winning people. They are so organized. It's been a great experience.

LAW: You play the role of the "Subway Ghost" did you see Vincent Schiavelli in the role? How did you make it your own?

BC: Yes I did. My portrayal is different in this part. As an actor of color, I have made it my own. I recite a poem, which explains "who" and "why" he is.

LAW: How do you prepare for this role?

BC: I used to listen to Hip Hop to prepare, before I relied on my own technique. I have the confidence to know I will give it 100 percent every time. It's like running a marathon and I run it every day. It's in my emotional and physical muscle memory.

LAW: What was the worst experience you've had on the road?

BC: The polar vortex in Chicago, the show was canceled. We were stuck in Ohio with 45 degrees below. I had frozen joints.

LAW: Getting back to Charlotte, what's your favorite thing to do?

BC: I'm excited to go to Lake Norman and Elon University to see my friends and teachers. And to spend time with my parents.

LAW: What's the best place to eat here in Charlotte?

BC: Mert's, I love everything there, the fried chicken, the macaroni and cheese and Zata Jane's, it's so good, they have great food.... And Cowfish, has great food! I used to enjoy going there with my mother.

LAW: What are you plans after this tour is over?

BC: Tour again. I don't know how it's going to manifest. I like touring. I like working in New York. I definitely want to see friends.

LAW: What's the best piece of advice you can give young Charlotte actors starting out?

BC: Study acting here and then leave Charlotte. I trained in theater and pursued theater. I went to New York for theater because that was the market I knew. An actor can either go to New York or California, but they should leave Charlotte to pursue a bigger market and have more opportunity.

LAW: What will audience's take away from GHOST THE MUSICAL?

BC: Audiences will really appreciate it. It has the same iconic scenes as the movie, the pottery scene, the subway scene. The songs are great. Fans of the movie will love it. It's an adaptation of the movie. It's the same love story.

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