INTERVIEW: Vourvoulas and Boehm Cut 'Footloose' at Toby's

I recently had the privilege of sitting down with the two stars of  the smash hit musical Footloose at Toby's new dinner theatre in Baltimore/>/>.  Kurt Boehm, who plays Ren and Becca Vourvoulas, who plays Ariel, both have that same enthusiasm and zest for life that they exude onstage.  I can safely predict that this is not the last we've seen of these young actors.  They are definitely going places!  Ranging from small town life to big city plans, the two candidly answered the 13 questions below.

James Howard (JH): What do you have in common with the characters you play?  Do you have things in common with the other characters?

Becca Vourvoulas (BV):  Well, I'm an only child, and still call my father "Daddy."  And we have the same kind of relationship Ariel and her dad have in the show.  But I never really was a rebel.  I do have a core group of girlfriends, but I am the Wendy Jo of the group – MUCH more dramatic!

Kurt Boehm (KB):  Hmm, well, my humor is very sarcastic, which is DEFINITELY a Ren quality.  I can also be a goofball like Willard.

JH: Have either of you lived in a small town environment before?  What was it like?

BV: No!

KB: I grew up in Maple Shade/>, New Jersey/>/>.  There's actually a sign that says, "Small/> Town/>/>, Friendly People!"  Everyone knows everyone and all about everyone, but it is not nearly as dramatic as Footloose.

JH: Footloose has taken its place in American Pop History, along side other such movies as Saturday Night Fever, Dirty Dancing and Grease.  What do you think of the film?  Why do you think Footloose, both the film and the stage musical continue to be so popular?

KB: Both the movie and the musical are just fun.  People get away from the drama of every day life.

BV: Yes!  I think that everyone can also relate to [at least] one character in some way, shape or form, and it is a fun story.  Not to mention the music…

JH: What do you hope audiences take away from this production?

KB:  After bows, we get everyone into it again, and I try to make contact with kids in the audience and try to inspire them to have fun with us.

BV:  I like to watch the kids, too, but at the end, I try to find an older adult with a big grin.  I can see their joy, so I love to get them up and watch them get into it.

JH:  You both have such terrific chemistry, and, in fact the entire company seems to have it.  What do you attribute this to as far as the company?  And specifically, between the two of you?

KB:  As far as the two of us, Becca and I were in Footloose at Toby's in Columbia/>/> – we were dance partners, not Ren and Ariel – so we already had a rapport.  I have been close with a lot of the company before this.

BV:  Yes, we have a core group of people who are consistently in Toby's [productions], so that core is already there, and the newcomers latch right on, and the group just grows.

JH:  Why do you think so many performers keep coming back to Toby's?

KB & BV:  (answering excitedly over each other) Realistically, I think that in the Baltimore/DC area, it can be difficult to work non-equity.  Here, we get paid, but the tips help with more security, and the job lasts longer than most places.  But mostly, it is because it is unique and very much like a family.  We try to be as professional as possible, but with that "family" aspect, you feel so comfortable.  And we are all so proud of what we are doing.

 

JH:  Both of you are triple threat performers.  How has your training, education and experience factored into your careers so far?

KB: Ever since I can remember, I've been doing this.  I went to Catholic/> University/>/> and have found those connections have helped.  I thank God I went to college, because there I learned so much about life experience along with technique.

BV:  I first started dancing, and then I started doing musical theatre.  We had the IB program in school so it was intense – I thought I might go to law school – but I said, "no." So I went to Patapsco Performing Arts High School in Baltimore/> City/>/>.  College was a chance to grow up and to perform – it is safe.  It is definitely important to have a little bit of all three [skills].

JH:  Toby's has a performance schedule similar to Broadway, which is not typical of local theatre, but is clearly successful for Toby's.  How do you maintain the energy, and your performance levels without getting complacent or bored?  How do you make time for a social/married/dating life?

KB:  When the show first started, I really had nothing else going on during the day so I could rest all day and sleep in, but now I'm teaching classes during the day. 

BV:  You just step up and just do it.  It really helps to have the cast and audience right there.  Their energy gets you there.

KB: You just can't party and have a social life and do this show.

BV:  No smoking, drinking (it kills my throat).  You just relax.  It also depends on the show [you are doing] and really knowing your personal limits.

 

JH:  The parents and other adults in the show are trying to provide the kids of Bomont, Texas/>/> with role models.  In reality, who are your role models and why?

KB:  I found my role model in college – Jane Pesci-Townsend – she is the head of Musical Theatre.  She was one of many [in the department], but she really taught me how to interpret a song.  And she inspires me because she has stage 4 cancer and STILL teaches.  My family, too, supports me – they are my rock.  And my dad and grandmothers were musicians.

BV:  Same for me – family.  My dad was nervous about my performing [as a career], but then he saw my first non-musical, A Hatful of Rain.  He looked at my mom and said, "You know, she's going to be fine."

JH:  What are dream roles you'd like to play?

KB:  Seymour/>/> in Little Shop [of Horrors].  Hmmm…

BV:  Eva Peron – since I was 8 years old!

JH: Over you careers thus far, what is a skill that you've had to learn that surprises you?

BV:  I had to learn to play spoons for a show once.  They were going to buy prop ones that were put together and moved right, but there was this guy in the show who knew how to really do it.  He taught me.

KB:  I had to learn to fly in a harness and sing at the same time!  I played Icarus at Theatre for the First Amendment at George Mason.

JH:  What is the best advice you've gotten as far as being in show business?  The worst?

BV:  Best… "If you don't ask, the answer is always no.  If you try it is possible."  That is so true, especially trying for roles you might not normally be seen for.  If you don't try, you won't get the job, but if you do, you might just get it.  The worst advice is unsolicited advice!

KB:  Best… hmmm  … To choose life.  When deciding whether to take a job, choose life (going to a wedding, etc.) over the show.  Shows come and go, but you can't miss your life.  Worst…I don't know.  You just know it is bad advice when you get it, you know?

JH: The dinner part of dinner theatre certainly has the potential to make things interesting.  Share a funny/interesting story about the "dinner theatre experience".

KB:  You were there, James!  Opening night – the cops came in and took out these LOUD drunk patrons!  God, they were annoying.

JH:  Really?  I never even noticed the drunks until they were on their way out, and it did not effect the performance one bit.  Way to go!

BV:  (Laughing)  I was waiting on this group of Girl Scouts.  I was bussing drinks, and went to pick up a glass wit a straw I it.  I got bumped, and the straw went right up my nose!  It was gross and funny.

 

Thanks, Kurt and Becca!  It was great to have a chance to get to know you!

 

Footloose continues at Toby's Baltimore/>/> location through August 22.  Show times and prices vary.  Go to www.tobysdinnertheatre.com for more information.  Review of Footloose on Baltimore/>/> page of BroadwayWorld.com.  Don't miss this great show!

 

PHOTOS of Footloose:The Musical by Chris Christiansen and courtesy of Toby's Dinner Theatre. TOP: Becca Vourvoulas and Kurt Boehm.  MIDDLE: Becca Vourvoulas.  BOTTOM: Kurt Boehm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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