Interview: BOYS IN THE PHOTOGRAPH's Erica Peck

BWW recently conducted an interview with one of the lead stars of the new Andrew Lloyd Webber/Ben Elton venture "The Boys in The Photograph" which opened September 22^nd at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in TO.  Erica Peck, rested from just having had Monday off for Thanksgiving, took the time to answer some of our questions and give advIce To aspiring theatre actors everywhere.

Your big break was in Ben Elton's We Will Rock You, what is it like getting to work with him again?

It's actually been really different.  Obviously We Will Rock You and Boys in the Photograph are completely different types of musicals.  Plus, when We Will Rock You opened it had already been done in a few cities, and while we inserted our own Canadian jokes into it, there was already a pretty set formula for performing it.  Boys was completely open to whatever we decided to do with it because it was a brand new show.  The rehearsal period was the same for both shows (6 weeks) but with Boys Ben Elton was there for the entire rehearsal period.  He is a man of great experience and insight and intelligence and I'm lucky that I can count him as a personal friend.  I was afraid after We Will Rock You I would be type-cast as the "rock and rock girl" when I know I can do more than that, so I'm really honoured to be given this chance.

What was it like leaving We Will Rock You to go out to Manitoba and perform such a different type of musical?

It was actually a little bit sad, because I didn't know if the show would still be running when we got back home.  At the time, it was being extended month to month, so leaving I wasn't really sure if it was going to be my last show. It was a welcome change getting to do something brand new and different after being with We Will Rock You for almost three years, but I was able to go home and close We Will Rock You with the cast which was amazing.

Being relatively new to the theatre scene, was it intimidating to work with Andrew Lloyd Webber?

The whole experience was pretty intimidating, but for a lot of reasons.  For example, I had never taken a role that had so much dramatic demand and so much demand on acting and accent.  I'm young and my experience is limited, I've never had to use an accent on stage before. Getting to work with Richard McMillan was amazing, and most of the co-stars are almost a decade older than me so overall it was a pretty scary experience.  By the time Andrew Lloyd Webber came I had already had my share of terrifying moments.  But he was so warm and friendly and very positive about the whole thing. He was really encouraging and what was great is that the more time he spent with us; the more excited he got about the show.  He left wanting so badly to return and work more on the show and that was a huge boost of confidence for us.

You talk about the challenge of using an accent, did you have help with that and how did you prepare for that part of the role?

Absolutely! I worked with a dialect coach named Dorothy Ward for a few weeks before I left.  And then you get into this environment where everyone is using an Irish accent and that really helps, hearing it all day long helps you to adjust to it.  I found the thing that helped me the most was using it outside of the script.  And the cast is great; we really helped each other out.  We figured out how we would pronounce different things and it was very much a group effort.

You have said in other interviews that seeing the Toronto Production of Phantom of the Opera was what got you hooked on musical theatre, did you ever think one day you might play the lead in one of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals?

Not exactly no, but I did dream about one day getting to be involved in musical theatre.  And that is what was so amazing about the progression of my career.  When I first saw Phantom of the Opera it was at the Canon Theater (then named the Pantages) where We Will Rock You premiered so that was pretty incredible. I went from a girl sitting in the Canon Theatre dreaming of maybe one day playing a token role like Tree Number 7, to having my professional debut on the same stage where my dreams took form.  And then from there to get to be in a show by the man who was responsible for the first piece of musical theatre I saw, it is truly amazing.  It's been really overwhelming and I'm truly grateful. At times I can't even think about it because it's so overwhelming.  And as much as I think it's a bit of luck in terms of the right timing, it's also about being ready for it when it came around.  It's easy to say "she's lucky" but it's another thing to realize that the lucky break came along but I was there and ready for it.  I was always singing and performing, and I attended a theatre high school and a performing arts college.  I would have graduated if I hadn't landed the role in We Will Rock You.

There is a lot of buzz in the theatre community about Boys possibly making a move to Broadway, have you ever thought about what it might be like to work on the Great White Way?

Of course! For a Canadian or any performer around the world, Broadway is IT.  That's what you dream of doing.  I've been to NYC to audition for a few shows, but the great thing about Boys and how it would be a welcome addition to Broadway is you so rarely see a show with a brand new book, music and score anymore.  It's not really very common and it has certainly been welcome in Toronto.  Would I love to go to Broadway? Absolutely, it would be incredible!

Your story is very inspirational to a lot of people who are hoping to make it on stage...do you have one piece of advIce That you would like to give to aspiring actors?

My advice is has always been to not take no for an answer. It is so easy to get discouraged or go to an audition and have it not go as well as you hoped.  And I know that can sound trite coming from someone so young who already has a lead in a show but it really is true.  Everybody in their life has had one door close and another open, so you really can't ever give up.  It is a bit different in Toronto, you can do a lead in a big show and it doesn't solidify you in any way for any further employment as it might on Broadway. For example, when Boys ends its' Toronto run on  November 1st I have to be concerned about finding employment again.  So you have to always be aware of that and you just can't take no. Even if it seems lame you have to believe in yourself and keep going.

When and Where:

Boys in The Photograph at the Royal Alexandra Theatre

Sept 22 to Nov 1

Tues-Sat at 8PM and Wed, Sat and Sun at 2PM

Tickets range from $28 - $110 with special Student Rush tickets available two hours prior to the show for $25.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.mirvish.com , by phone at 416.872.1212 or 1.800.461.3333 or in person at the box office.

For more details please visit www.mirvish.com/boys

Photo by Bruce Monk

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