Interview: Etai Benshlomo on What Makes WICKED So Good, Stephen Schwartz, and Advice to Young Actors

Etai Bensholomo is bringing a little bit of OZ to in San Diego as Boq, in WICKED at the Civic Theatre through December 7th. Having also been a member of the Broadway and the San Fransico casts of this show and now the tour, Etai has a few ideas about what makes this show so unique.

"What's cool about it is that there are so many shows that rely on spectacle and don't succeed. But what WICKED does well is that all this spectacle is supporting this really amazing story, and this really strong story that people connect to. Everything from the costumes, to the lights, to the sets and props, is all in service of telling this really powerful story. It is true there is always something new you can find when you see WICKED. It's all connected to this awesome story and I think that's why it really works, because underneath all the lights and spectacle there is a lot of heart."

Etai also credits a lot of this success to the composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz.

"Stephen Schwartz is a master, when you look at his track record, between WICKED, and PIPPIN, GODSPELL, CHILDREN OF EDEN, his scores, including WICKED are deceptively simple. People leave humming the songs, and people can basically recount the story of these two girls. But underneath it are really complex emotions, political ideas, and philosophy. The music is so smart. Stephen put in references to the Wizard of Oz that people may not catch. 'Unlimited, my future is unlimited'...those first notes are the notes of 'Somewhere over the Rainbow'. It's totally intentional but most people don't notice it. That's why it succeeds, because there is something deeper there, it's not just superficial spectacle."

Before I let him go, Etai had one last bit of advice to anyone that wants to get into performing.

" Try everything. A lot of people think if you do musicals, then that's all you can do is musicals. I think it's important to know that an actor is an actor and we shouldn't limit ourselves to just musicals, or a certain type of role. Be hungry for everything. You should want to do plays, and film, and television, and really focus your efforts on being a sponge ,and being a total nerd and seeing as many movies as possible and not just saying I only do musicals. That's the kind of actor I strive to be."

"Be a nerd - proudly be a nerd. And be a nerd outside of just one thing. Some are nerds just about musicals, but at the same time be a Shakespeare nerd, and an Arthur Miller nerd, and a Chekhov nerd."

I couldn't love a piece of advice more! Got out and b ea nerd people!

You know that his description of the show and the music makes you want to go see it! Then go to www.Broadwaysd.com and get your tickets to see WICKED, playing at the Civic Theatre through December 7th.

Want to hear more from Etai? Then check out the second article on WICKED , what it's like performing the show, and how he got started in this crazy business in the first place!

Photo Credit: (c) Jeremy Folmer Photography from www.etaibenshlomo.com