BWW Interviews: Jonathan Crombie talks Joe White and Toronto Fringe

Joe White and the Seven Divorcées is the story of an innocent confronting jealousy, a mirror, a poisoned apple, and seven seriously unhappy women. Joe's father wants to kill him. The divorcées want to help him. Ultimately, Joe must find his own destiny.

Joe White and the Seven Divorcées  is an entry in this year's Toronto Fringe Festival and has a book by John Mitchell and music and lyrics by Brock Simpson (the team who brought "All Hams on Deck" to Toronto). It marks a return to the Canadian stage for Broadway veteran Jonathan Crombie, who played "Man in Chair" in both the Broadway Production and the National Tour of The Drowsy Chaperone. Mr. Crombie is a last minute replacement in the show, and took a few minutes to talk with BWW about what it is like performing in this year's Toronto Fringe Festival:

You are joining the cast of Joe White fairly last minute, how have you found the rehearsal process coming in so close to opening?

Luckily the scenes in which I'm involved are short little 'add-ons'. I'm not responsible for any
major dramatic scenes or musical solos--just step on, do a bit, and step off. It still takes work
to get these bits right, but it's nowhere need the amount of material the rest of the cast is faced
with.

You had your Broadway debut in The Drowsy Chaperone which was originally a Toronto Fringe production. What was your Broadway experience like?

My experience in the New York 'Drowsy' was absolutely amazing. I was familiar with the show,
having played a Gangster in the Toronto incarnations, but stepping in for Bob Martin's "Man In Chair" with just over a week's rehearsal was pretty intimidating. I was incredibly fortunate to have such a patient and supportive team (Casey, the cast, crew, and stage management) guiding me. And just to be part of that wonderful tradition...

The Drowsy Chaperone was a bit of a fairy-tale story in that it got its legs at Toronto Fringe and went on to be a critical success on Broadway and on Tour - do you have hopes for Joe White being able to accomplish something similar?

Right now I'm hoping 'Joe White' accomplishes a successful run at the Toronto Fringe. The creators, John Mitchell and Brock Simpson, are ridiculously talented and are both good friends, so naturally I'm supportive of whatever they choose to do with the show.

We are working on trying to encourage more young people to come out to the theatre and to Fringe events, what about this particular show do you think could appeal to a younger demographic?

Unfortunately, I can't promise that Justin Bieber or Drake will be making a cameo, but I'm hoping a fun story, great songs, hilarious characters, an awesome cast, and dancing cardboard animals are still 'cool', right?

Finally, you have had a long and successful career in both theatre and TV and movies, if you could offer one piece of advice to young people hoping for a career on stage in Canada, what would it be?

I guess my first advice is to SEE theatre--all kinds (Shakespeare, musicals, new Canadian productions, improv, etc.) and see what really turns you on. I remember it was seeing sketch comedy that first really ignited my desire to get involved. And although I've been lucky to try my hand at different theatrical 'styles' and forms, I know I continually need to get my sketch "fix".

When and Where?

Joe White and the Seven Divorcees
The Bathurst Street Theatre

Thursday July 8th at 1:45PM
Friday July 9th at noon
Saturday July 10th at 7:30PM

All tickets $10 at the door, or book in advance by calling the Fringe Hotline at 416.966.1062 or online at www.fringetoronto.com

Fringe Passes are also available after June 5, 2010, for more info visit www.fringetoronto.com

For show info please visit www.joewhite7.com

 

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