Life of an Ordinary Broadway Actor: Challenges and Opportunities
During my brief Broadway career from 1960 to 1969, I was about as ordinary a Broadway performer as an actor can be. Every show I was in had a well-known actor or actors as the “star” or “stars”. In truth, the biggest difference between us was that the famous actors had their own dressing rooms, and I shared a dressing room with several other “ordinary” actors.
Challenges and Personality Issues
Life on the Broadway stage is challenging, regardless of whether you’re a famous actor or an ordinary one. While the presence of a renowned performer might not directly affect your performance on stage, dealing with a difficult personality can be a significant hurdle. Personality issues don’t discriminate; they can arise at any level, not just among stars. For instance, during my run in Uncle Vanya with Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard, we faced a paparazzi issue that required extra precautions.
The Garden of Paparazzi
The paparazzi often create a chaotic ambiance around the theater. CSC, the theater where we were performing, has a coffee shop in the lobby. Katie Holmes was spotted in the neighborhood, and the paparazzi were eagerly waiting for a glimpse of Tom Cruise. Upon Maggie and Peter’s arrival, the excitement was palpable. To mitigate the distraction and protect their young daughter from intrusive flashes, we took extra care to maintain privacy. Interestingly, this experience wasn’t all doom and gloom. Peter would often go out the stage door conspicuously hailing a cab, which we would use as cover to slip Maggie and Ramona out the other side.
Interaction with Renowned Performers
Even if a show isn’t a critical hit, stars can often gather to watch other prominent performers. During my time, even though our critically mixed show was considered groundbreaking and required significant effort, there was still significant star power present. Notable stars who came to see us included Cherry Jones, Alan Rickman, Meryl Streep, Lynn Redgrave, and F. Murray Abraham. Additionally, some of the more famous actors took time to visit backstage to offer congratulations.
Memorable Interactions
From John Lithgow and Tyne Daly, who were particularly generous, to my life-long friends like Mary Martin, Elaine Stritch, Richard Kiley, and Don Ameche, the spectrum of relationships in the world of Broadway is vast. Some of the ordinary actors who shared dressing room space with famous stars later became significant performers in their own right, and we remain friends to this day.
Conclusion
Being an ordinary Broadway actor can be just as challenging and fulfilling as working alongside renowned performers. The key lies in adapting to the environment and cherishing the moments. No matter the circumstances, the artistry and camaraderie that bind performers together remain unchanging.