Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Education: gutenberg.org
Favorite Credits: Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar (though I'd love to play JC or Judas!); Sister Amnesia in Nunsense; Val, Diana in Chorus Line; Scantily Clad, Writer & Performer, Original Cabaret Review
Why theater?: It's a venue where the audience is forced to be quiet. You have their undivided attention (if you're doing your job correctly) and curate a mutual escape for the voyeur and yourself. The instant gratification of applause. The standard time-tested highs of enabling such a compelling experience, and sharing that with a form of partner without the potential complication of obligation after that we all get what we want, in that moment. It's cathartic and spiritual.
Tell us about Save the Robots?: It's a Sci-fi rock musical based on Karel Capek's R.U.R. framing the songs of Art-Punk-Rock band Hagatha. Robots are synthetic, organic people in this world where the word is actually originated (from the 1920 R.U.R. play) following the implications of technology dependence in society, with subplots of the relationships of those who create it and romantic interests evolving in the midst of time ticking down to disaster, all the while, how Robots and humans can come together to save all life on Earth.
What inspired you to work on Save the Robots?: The show had been being developed as a musical by former Hagatha band members Rob Susman and Clark Render since 2005. I came on board as a cast member of a previous production a few years ago, and after unanimous audience feedback starting since their prior shows that the music had promise but the story did not match the potential, I started writing my own script during that last production. Rob inspired the use of R.U.R as a template, and Clark has contributed tonal notes and lyrics from his songs are echoed in various lines and characters throughout the piece. We packaged the songs with my adaptation in 2013, and have been hitting the ground running with great potential, promise, and acceptance into theater festivals since! It's been very exciting to finally have a formula for a "Secret of Life!" (song lyric…)
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Theater with great emotion inspires me. I like fun stuff, but high drama is what I prefer. Also having a strong appreciation and illustrator concentration in comic books, I see all characters in the show with "Super" potential in motive and visual style. I'd love to be involved in a musical adaptation of a jukebox musical for the band, The Killers someday! It's difficult to pinpoint one inspiration; Thunder and lightening. As a singer-songwriter, I will always be aspiring to write the equivalent of what I consider the perfect pop song, "Kids In America". I want to myself and radiate feeling like the songs, "Get What You Give", "Kids In America", "When You Were Young", and "Mr. Brightside" on rotation, all the time.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Brandon Flowers. Honorable Mentions, duet with Chris Cornel, rap verse and sing chorus with Eminem, jam out with MGMT, another cover/remix of "Kashmir" with Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, and dress up fancy and croon on a piano with Richard Cheese.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: The limited run of In Masks Outrageous and Austere by Tennessee Williams. The sets, vibe, and performances were great! It was visually and thematically a shimmering jewel with a spectrum of esoteric clouding in the middle.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: It's difficult to resign the role of playing me to someone else! I'd hate to burden them with that stigma! They'd have to have big hazel eyes and SANG! Nicola Peltz? (I just googled a teen actress, and she's hot), Selena Gomez. "Vengeance for Virgins", or "Synastry".
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Chocolate covered Almonds
What’s the most played song on your iTunes?: (looking at list…) "Suspicious Minds - Viva Elvis Remix" EP
If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: Neural biologist or Theoretical Physicist, like my parents wish I were! Still waiting on my internship submission to Dr. Michio Kaku.
What’s up next?: Showing artwork in Brooklyn/Manhattan art exhibits, and working on my next studio album you can watch my original music videos for on www.YouTube.com/ETHEReyes2020! That is, in between bringing Save The Robots to the biggest theater stages possible! #Tonys2015! Thanks for your support!
For more on Eric, visit facebook.com/ETHEReyes. For more on Save the Robots, visit facebook.com/SaveTheRobotstheMusical and SaveTheRobotstheMusical.com
