BWW Interviews: Britt Hancock, A Life in the Theater

Raised in Florida and a graduate of Ole Miss (aka The University of Mississippi) and now based in New York City, actor Britt Hancock (you can find his photograph next to the dictionary entry for "versatility") calls Tennessee "home," thanks to his long tenure at Crossville's Cumberland County Playhouse, where last year he starred in, among other shows, Camelot, Brigadoon and She Loves Me. In fact, he claimed the BroadwayWorld Nashville theater award for outstanding actor in a musical (professional) for his stellar performance in Brigadoon.

Here's what I wrote about that performance: "Brigadoon, onstage at Cumberland County Playhouse through November 21, could well be one of the closest-to-sheer-perfection musical theater experiences I've ever had, beautifully played and exquisitely staged, performed by a phenomenally gifted cast led by the multi-talented Britt Hancock (who sings, act and dances with vigorous conviction) as Tommy Albright. If you are a true lover of musical theater, you really must go see it before Brigadoon once again disappears into the mist...

"And there comes a moment during "Almost Like Being In Love," here performed by the aforementioned triple threat Hancock and his lovely leading lady, Lindy Pendzick, that is as rapturous and as emotionally satisfying as any we can recall. If you hear it, you may find yourself (as did I) overwhelmed by its beauty, Hancock and Pendzick's performance so ethereal than you cannot help but be totally transfixed. Each of Hancock and Pendzick's duets is memorable, including "The Heather on the Hill" and the anthemic "From This Day On," and Hancock's "There But For You Go I" is stunningly delivered."

His award was a richly deserved prize, with Hancock clearly delivering one of the most memorable musical theater performances in the whole Volunteer State during 2010. But the first time I saw Britt onstage was in the national touring company of The Drowsy Chaperone, the musical valentine to the heyday of classical musical theater that cleaned up at the Tonys and delighted audiences across the country with its sumptuously mounted and superbly acted tours. Playing the wisecracking producer who was plotting to keep Janet Van De Graaf onstage, Britt Hancock proved that he is the consummate song-and-dance man!

Writing about his performance in She Loves Me at CCP, I said, "Britt Hancock is terrific as the caddish and romantically cavalier Steven Kodaly (whose offstage affair with the shop owner's wife precipitates much of the play's more dramatic moments); Hancock's portrayal is ideally modulated and his performance of "Grand Knowing You" - my personal favorite among the score's offerings - is delivered with an artful blend of charm and smarminess."

Now that he's back in New York City now, Tennessee audiences can be heard clamoring for his quick return - and according to our sources at CCP, we're likely to see him later this season. In the meantime, we can recall his awe-inspiring performances, his out-of-this-world charm and his tremendous talent while we wait (none too patiently, I must admit) for his return. Until then, you can take advantage of this glimpse into his own special brand of "A Life in the Theater." Read and enjoy!

 

 

What was your first taste of theater? My first taste of theater was probably the annual fifth grade production of The Nutcracker at my elementary school. It was a scripted play version with some dancing thrown in here and there. It was a big deal! I played the Nutcracker Prince my year and the rest is history.

 

What was your first real job or responsibility in the theater? The first show I remember getting paid for was The Diary of Anne Frank at a theater in Jacksonville, Florida. I was a freshman in college and played Peter. I don't remember how much I was paid, but it I remember being very excited at the time!

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in theater? From the time I was very small, performing was all I wanted to do. I remember in my sophomore year of high school realizing that you could actually major in theater in college and then go on to pursue a career in it! I really had no other choice.

Why do you pursue your art in Tennessee? What are the best parts of working here? I am based in New York City now, but have worked in the Tennessee for about fourteen years on and off. There is such a sense of community and family in the area, and that is what has kept me coming back year after year. It's home.

If you could play any role, direct any work, design any production, mount any production...what would it be and why? I've been lucky enough to play a lot of my "dream roles" over the years. Billy Flynn in Chicago, Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Trevor Grayden in Thoroughly Modern Millie are all roles I would love to get to chance to play. I think it would also be interesting to direct and also play Zach in a production of A Chorus Line.

Who would play you in the film version of your life story? Hmmm... that's a tough one. Maybe the guy that plays Finn [Cory Monteith] on Glee? Or Cheyenne Jackson. Why not? Wishful thinking, huh?

What's your favorite play/musical? My favorite play is probably Brighton Beach Memoirs and my favorite musical has always been A Chorus Line.

If you could have dinner with any three figures (living or dead, real or fictional) who are a part of the theater, who would you choose and why? Oh wow. I think I would choose Bob Fosse and/or Michael Bennett because it would be amazing to be around that amount of creative genius, Patti LuPone just for the hell of it (I know she has some terrific stories), and Tennessee Williams because I've always been a big fan.

Imagine a young person seeing you onstage or seeing a production in which you played a major role coming up to you and asking you for advice in pursuing their own theatrical dream...what would you say? I would say, "Go for it." I can remember being a child and knowing that there was nothing that I wanted more than a life in the theater. I received so much encouragement to follow my dreams, and I would do the same for anyone that's that passionate about pursuing theater as a career. It's tough and you probably won't get rich from it, but the rewards are immeasurable and worth every second of it.

Britt Hancock and Lindy Pendzick in Brigadoon at Cumberland County Playhouse

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