Finch or Frump?

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Finch or Frump?

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:00pm

Hi All!

I was just cast in a production of How To Succeed, in the role of Frump. A colleague of mine was more excited about it than I was, stating that this role "steals the show". Is this true? I think the role of Finch is great! Would have loved the opportunity to play him.

"Someone tell the story...Someone sing the song...."

Finch or Frump?

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:03pm

In the recent revival, both Christopher J. Hanke and Michael Urie stole plenty of scenes as Frump.

"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.

Finch or Frump?

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:05pm

Frump can definitely be a scene-stealing role.

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

Finch or Frump?

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:09pm

If your show has a weak Finch...you can steal, easily!

"Through The Sacrifice You Made, We Can't Believe The Price You Paid..For Love!"

Finch or Frump?

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:48pm

Thanks for the input! Well see how this goes!

"Someone tell the story...Someone sing the song...."

Finch or Frump?

Posted: 8/24/13 at 9:56pm

Just make sure your scene-stealing feats of Frumpery are in service of the story, and you'll do great.

When I was in HS, I was always cast as older roles (being either an old soul or just plain uglier than the fresh-faced kids around me who were cast as romantic leads) and one such role that I'll never forget was Sir Toby in TWELFTH NIGHT. The first night of our run, our director wandered in to the wings before Act I Scene iii, Toby and Andrew's first debaucherous adventure. We were surprised he wasn't watching the performance, but that he'd come backstage and paid us a visit. He simply said, right before we went out: "Steal this ****ing show."

It turns out, for that production and for those roles, it was exactly the direction we needed, as it was an incredibly successful run that week. And probably the most satisfying performance I've ever given.

So have fun and serve the story. It's a fantastic show.

Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.

Finch or Frump?

Posted: 8/25/13 at 12:26am

Frump is a fantastic role! (I love it, considering my username). Charles Nelson Reilly won a Tony Award for playing him in the OBC! Just don't TRY to steal scenes, just do the role and don't base it off of the fact that you want to steal scenes, or else your performance will come off as annoying!

Have fun, and break a leg!

Finch or Frump?

Posted: 8/25/13 at 12:59am

And dare'st I say it? There are no small roles, only small actors.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

Finch or Frump?

Posted: 8/25/13 at 3:57pm

Frump is a fantastic role! You can definitely steal scenes, especially depending on who is playing Finch. I agree with the above poster about the revival Frumps (Hanke and Urie), they were hilarious!

#10

Finch or Frump?

Posted: 8/25/13 at 9:25pm

Just remember, the key to this role is- YOU WANT TO GET OUT OF THE MAIL ROOM!

Well-well-well-what-do-you-think-of-that-I-have-nothing-here-to-pay-my-train-fare-with-only-large-bills-fives-and-sevens....

#11

Finch or Frump?

Posted: 8/26/13 at 2:52pm

Just remember, the key to this role is- YOU WANT TO GET OUT OF THE MAIL ROOM!

BUT - you don't want to work hard to do it!

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