A Conversation with Jordan Marchand of the Hudson Music Club

Jordan Marchand has been a musical theatre performer for a relatively short time, but his career is on the rise. I sat down with Marchand to discuss his past experiences and his upcoming role in the Hudson Music Club's OKLAHOMA, opening March 6 at The Hudson Village Theatre.

Marchand was born and raised in the suburbs just west of Montreal. He started as a runway model at 5 years old for department stores and did a film at age 8. He says he was always a kid who needed attention. He was never pushed and never felt he was good enough, so he didn't pursue any kind of performance, even though he had a desire to do so.

When Marchand was 21, his mom was in OLIVER with the Hudson Music Club (HMC). He watched the show and thought how wonderful it would be to be up on that stage. The next year, he auditioned for HMC's production of Hello Dolly and was cast as Cornelius, his first lead role. He had no experience singing or dancing, but he was bitten by the bug and it stuck. The next year, he appeared as Conrad Birdie in HMC's production of BYE BYE BIRDIE. He continued every year with HMC, appearing in several productions, including ANNIE (Rooster), THE MUSIC MAN (Harold Hill) and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (The Beast). Marchand also appeared in several productions for CETM, including SLOW DANCE WITH A HOT PICK UP.

In 2011, Marchand decided to take a break for HMC. He joined a rock band, recorded an EP with them and performed in several cabarets. But HMC was always in the back of his mind, so he went back in 2012 to star as Billy Lawlor in 42ND STREET.

2012 was a big year for Marchand. He appeared in ON SECOND AVENUE at the Segal Centre, part of the Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre, played Satan in SOUTH PARK with CETM and followed that up by playing Harry the Horse in GUYS AND DOLLS, also at the Segal Centre. Marchand was then cast as Sid in CETM's workshop of the brand new musical, THE GEFILTE FISH CHRONICLES, which earned him his Equity card. His career on the rise, Marchand decided to go back to HMC one last time to play Curly in OKLAHOMA.

Looking ahead, Marchand would love to do some professional theatre in Montreal, but since there are limited productions being mounted, would love to land some touring contracts. His dream roles are The Phantom in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and to have the opportunity to portray The Beast from BEAUTY AND THE BEAST on a professional stage.

The Hudson Music Club, celebrating 61 years of musical merriment, presents the Rogers and Hammerstein 1943 hit OKLAHOMA, a co-production with the Hudson Village Theatre, from March 6 to 23.

The Hudson Village Theatre is located at 28 Wharf Road, Hudson, QC J0P 1H0

Tickets can be purchased by telephone at (450)458-5361 or by emailing hvbox@videotron.ca

All photos courtesy Jordan Marchand

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