So here are the answers to the questions I got before the matinee...
from Jessica --
"You were with Rent from early on, are there any songs or moments that were cut before the show hit Broadway that you wish had stayed?"
I think overall the changes that were made were improvements, but I did like some of the stuff between Roger and Mark -- "Cool/Fool" and "He Says." There was content in those songs that informed my choices as we did the Off-Broadway production.
"If a playwright whose work you admire offered to write a role for you, in a play addressing issues of your choice, what would it be?"
I'm not sure if you're asking who the playwright would be or not, but I love doing my brother's work, and John Guare's work, to name a couple of people. Generally, I'm drawn to texts that have a lot of power and high stakes and a high degree of authenticity. I'm interested in being a part of plays that tell stories about under-represented people -- minorities (both racial and sexual), poor people, etc. We have enough stories about rich white folks to suit me. But part of the joy of being an actor is never knowing what project might be lurking around the corner, with characters and issues yet to be discovered.
to Carl --
Thanks for your kind words about my brother's work. I am enormously proud of him, and thrilled that so many people besides his baby brother think he's extremely talented.
From Rachel --
"What attracts you to a role like Carlos in Gompers? Were you in it to support your brothers work? Or was there something about the story or character that made you take the role?"
I do love collaborating with my brother, but especially on a piece like Gompers, which I feel is truly one of his very best plays. It's a perfect example of what I was just talking about -- a play that deals with sort of forgotten people. I thought Carlos had an enormous amount of dignity and I was very honored to get to bring him to life. What did you think of the play? (I'm assuming you saw it.)
"Also, you've worked here in Pittsburgh twice now, what do you think of the place?"
I have had a great time working there, and I would love to do it again. The people that I've had the privilege of working with are some of my best friends now, and the town couldn't have been more embracing. I'm also a big baseball fan, and I enjoy going to PNC park a lot.
ShbrtAlley -- I'm in the tour until December 12th, in San Diego.
From JairoAngel --
"I was wondering about your experience in the movie Dazed and Confused. It has become sort of a cult classic. How does that feel to be apart of a cult classic?"
I really loved making Dazed. It and Adventures in Babysitting were the most enjoyable studio films I've done. And I'm enormously proud that it's as highly regarded as it is.
I'm not sure who this was from, sorry ...
"I'm just joing the thread so here goes..two questions 1)Did you attend theatre school, and what kind of acting lessons have you taken? Methods you've worked with etc..."
I went to Interlochen Arts Camp for two summers and got some training there when I was 13 and 14, based mostly on Stanislavski, and when I moved to NYC in 1989 I started taking classes with Sande Shurin, who developed her own technique as a sort of response to the Method and Meisner and stuff. She has a book out called Transformational Acting that I highly recommend. Call me a shill, but I think she's really an incredibly creative thinker when it comes to approaching art.
"2) I just recently got into the phenomena of Bare? Have you seen it and what's your take."
I saw it and was impressed with the energy and spirit of the cast, and happy to see a show about such an important issue. But I was hoping for some more hooks in the music. When they were there, I was very happy, but then when they weren't the music started to sound like a big wash of sameness. I should say too in full disclosure that I'm a friend of Michael Arden's and I'm very disappointed for his sake that he's not getting to continue in the show, because he was phenomenal.
From Alix --
"i hope i'm not repeating a question but i was wondering if you always knew you wanted to be an actor or what inspired you to choose that path and if you had a backup plan of some sort in case it didn't work out."
I always knew, if figuring it out when I was six years old counts. I never had a backup plan, although I do love to teach, so that remains a possibility for me. I would never not work in the arts in some capacity, though.
"also, what's the origin of your user name?"
It's just a joke. If I were a Spice Girl, that would be my name.
From Alix #2 --
"Also, I was wondering who you personally would choose to cast for the movie. (Especially for Mimi, Angel, and Joanne since we haven't heard any official possibilities for those). Thanks :)"
It's not at all my jurisdiction, and I really don't want to even dip my toe in that water.
From Elphie --
"Anthony, what's your favorite show on Broadway right now? Have you seen Idina in Wicked? (I'm a big fan if you couldn't tell)"
My favorite show at the moment is Avenue Q. I just loved it so much, and no offense to the Wicked fans out there, but I was happy Avenue Q won the Tony. I was thrilled for Idina, though. She was amazing, and deserved all the acclaim she got.
I'm posting this before even reading other questions, if there are any, but I won't be able to get to those until later tonight at the earliest.
Take care, and thanks again for your interest and support.
Anthony
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