Hometown: Born in Charlottesville,VA. Raised (from 8 yrs old on) in Vernon, NJ
Education: BFA in Theatre with a Concentration in Acting
Select Credits: Aida (Radames, Shenandoah Summer Theatre); Miss Saigon (Chris, Weathervane Theatre); A Man of No Importance (Robbie, Weathervane Theatre); I Love You...Now Change (Man 2, Downstairs Cabaret Theatre); WedLOCKED (Ben, Mayfield Dinner Theatre in Canada- World Premiere)
Why theater?: Nothing else fills the void, makes me feel alive.
Tell us about Central Avenue Breakdown: We follow the Marcel brothers as they experience the rise and fall of the LA jazz scene in the 1940s. Two brothers with differing jazz styles("old school vs new school") struggle to please their father, while desperately trying to hold onto their individuality. Throw in drugs, death, a sexy starlet, and the racial tension of the times, and you're "slummin' it " on Central Avenue. It's a touching story of family with an amazing score. Audiences will def walk out humming tunes.
What is it like to be a part of Central Avenue Breakdown?: Awesome!! Artistically fulfilling. We are a supportive family working together to find the show's voice and let it sing. And boy do I love singing this score!!
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as artists?: For me, it's the modern stuff. The gritty raw theatre. Especially musicals. Musicals like The Last 5 Years and Tick, Tick... Boom. Stories about struggling relationships. In Central Avenue Breakdown, it was the father/son and brother/brother relationships that drew me in. Artists? I'm a huge fan of Norbert Leo Butz and Raul Esparza. No surprise I'm sure, since I've mentioned two musicals where they were the male leads. But I've seen them both in numerous productions over the years and they never cease to amaze me. Individually, or working together as they did when Butz briefly joined the cast of Speed-the-Plow replacing Jeremy Piven.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Many....the aforementioned The Last 5 Years (Jamie) and Tick Tick..Boom (Jonathan). I'd love to play Bobby in Company. Jerry in The Full Monty. The list goes on. Particularly singer/actor roles, as I am not much of a dancer...unless I'm at a wedding reception and have been drinking :)
What’s your favorite show tune?: I don't know. I feel like my mind shut down when asking this question. There are too many. That may be cliche'. I'll say this, it's always changing. It has to touch me/move me. A song I am dying to sing right now (in a cabaret setting i suppose), is Scott Alan's "Again". I find it haunting.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: There are so many people I've worked with, whom I'd LOVE to work with again!! But, I know that's not the question, so...I'd have to say one of my favorite performers: Norbert Leo Butz. Why? Because everytime I've ever seen his work, he's having fun. He's lovin' every minute of it, and it's infectious. Everyone around him seems absorb that joy/fun. I wanna have some fun!!
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: "Every Which Way But Lou's" (get it...a play on "Every Which Way But Loose"), starring...John Krasinski
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Central Avenue Breakdown of course.
What’s up next?: Waitin tables and waitin for the next gig. I don't think my show/vehicle has been written yet. But it's comin....
For more information on Lou, visit www.lousteele.net
