Hometown: Foxboro, Ma
Education: B.A. in Performance Art Education and Management --- University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Select Credits: Castle Walk (Fred Astaire, NYMF); Hairspray (Link Larkin, Hackmatack Playhouse); Happy Days the Musical (Potsie/Fonz Understudy, La Comedia Dinner Theater); Brigadoon (MacGregor/Harry Understudy, Prather Entertainment Group); Singin' in the Rain (Don Lockwood, Hackmatack Playhouse)
Why theater?: Theater is the most insane, cathartic and emotional roller coaster of a career to choose. But, I wouldn't trade it for the world. There is nothing, NOTHING, like those few moments before you go on stage and the last few when a show is closing. Theater makes you feel alive. Because its just that. It's LIVE.
Tell us about Castle Walk: Castle Walk is Be-a-utiful. It's filled with ballroom dancing and personal reflection. The story follows Irene Castle's emotional struggle with RKO making a movie about her life with her late husband Vernon. She is forced to reflect back on her early days of fame and to relive the loss she suffered with his death all while trying to make sure the movie, starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, gets it right.
What is it like being a part of Castle Walk?: Well, I was moved to tears in the reading. Lynne Winterseller is THAT good. Richard Stafford and Milton Granger have developed a truly charming and alluring piece of work. I am thrilled and honored to be a part of it's first steps into production and honored to be given the opportunity to portray one of America’s greatest dancers, Fred Astaire. It is truly a wonderful experience to be given the chance to put a new piece of work, especially one as beautiful as this one, on its' feet. Being part of that process is eye opening and full of lessons.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Theater that usually speaks to me the most contains emotion in the music or dancing. Even something like Newsies speaks to me because, yes it has big theatrical tricks and dancing, but it's coming from somewhere. Those boys are fighting for something while they dance. And I'm inspired by the people I meet in this industry who are positive, productive and just plain hard working. It makes me want to be like them and it inspires me to work even harder in order to get where I want to get.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: The Emcee in Cabaret, Mark in Rent, Chad in All Shook Up, just to name a few.
What’s your favorite showtune?: I could go for some “Music and the Mirror” any day.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: There are so many choreographers who have passed that I wish I had the chance to learn from (i.e. Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire). Boy could those men could dance.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Zac Efron starring in “The Big Gay Musical 2”
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Once. It's just so good, and the music is out of this world. It literally moved me to tears. Really. I cried 5 times.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: CARBS. Can't live with 'em and, fortunately for me, can't live without 'em.
What’s up next?: I will be playing Macavity in Cats at the Broadway Palm in Fort Myers, FL (October 10-November 23)
For more of Chris, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bZDhQwM9Z0. For more on Castle Walk, visit http://castlewalkmusical.com/ and nymf.org for tickets.
