BWW Interviews: Raymond McAnally in American Theater Group's SIZE MATTERS

American Theater Group (ATG) will open their 2014-2015 season with Size Matters, the East Coast premiere of Raymond McAnally's one-man show. The production will run November 12 through November 23 with Opening Night on Saturday, November 15 at the Hamilton Stage of Union County Performing Arts Center (UC PAC). ATG is New Jersey's newest professional theater company and makes its home at the Hamilton Stage. Broadwayworld.com had the opportunity to interview Raymond McAnally about his career and this very distinctive show.

In Size Matters, the heavy-set "everyman," Raymond McAnally, weaves a comedic tale of his current life as a plus-sized actor, new husband, and uncle to an admiring, overweight ten year old nephew, Morgan. Seeing a chance to save Morgan, and himself, Raymond searches his life to discover how much, or how little, size matters. Size Matters is a heartfelt and eye-opening comedy that will resonate for anyone, male or female, who has ever wrestled with body issues or knows someone who has. This production promises to please metropolitan area audiences.

As an actor, Raymond McAnally's recent credits include One Man, Two Guvnors at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and the world premiere of Size Matters at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Other credits include Defending the Caveman (Broadway National Tour), and off-Broadway in the original cast of God's Ear, plus productions at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Long Wharf, Theaterworks Hartford, Two River Theater, to name a few. On television, he appeared on Law & Order: SVU, 30 Rock, Nurse Jackie, Royal Pains and Boardwalk Empire, among others. His film credits include Compliance, Ghost Town and I Don't Know How She Does It.

McAnally is a writer and actor for the online original comedy group, Daily Fiber Films and is a faculty member at the Mason Gross School of the Arts Online Department at Rutgers University. He holds an MFA in Acting from Mason Gross School of the Arts and a BA from Sewanee.

We asked McAnally when he first became interested in writing and acting. "Telling stories is an inherent part of my family's DNA and more often than not, the story was a funny one filled with sarcasm and turn of phrase. The goal at family get togethers was always to make each other laugh. So, I started writing original stories at a very young age, but I never showed them to anyone. Instead, I stuck to impressions and such to make my friends laugh. Then in High School, the drama teacher realized I was a bit of a class-clown, who didn't embarrass at the thought of getting up in front of others. She asked me to audition for show after show and that's when the bug bit me. I've pursued it all ever since."

McAnally had some important mentors who encouraged his career. He said, "My faculty at my undergrad, Sewanee, are first and foremost, especially Dr. David Landon. His encouragement to stretch myself artistically while I was there gave me an appreciation for the skill of being professional. It's what made me pursue conservatory training at The Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers. And the faculty there at the time, well, I absolutely look to them as mentors; Amy Saltz, Deborah Hedwall, Lenard Petit, J. Allen Suddeth, Kathleen Kelly, Heather Rasche, Bill Esper and so on. Those three years in that program with those instructors gave me the skills to venture out on my own and make a career of it. I am eternally grateful."

McAnally told us about some of the performers and performances that have inspired him. "Here's a small twist of fate- When I was thirteen, my mom got us tickets to go see a production of Shadowlands in Nashville. I was a big C.S. Lewis fan and the performances just really grabbed me; incredibly grounded, subtle, and fully realized. Seeing those actors work inspired me to give it a try the next year in High School. About ten years later, while studying at Rutgers, I found the playbill for the show. Come to find out the actor I enjoyed the most in that production had also gone to Rutgers for his training! That's always made me smile. I love stuff like that. And to answer the question more broadly, I see performances all the time that inspire me; both names and unknowns. I think it's important as an artist to keep being inspired, driven, and wanting to learn. I really do. It makes me feel alive and helps me appreciate the opportunities I am given."

Size Matters is a unique piece of theater. We asked McAnally why he feels it is important. "I've always been drawn to artists who "put themselves out there.' Who just kind of open up themselves and tell personal stories that then resonate so universally, because the details and point of view of their story is where all the recognition lies. I feel this show is important because the themes have been such a major part of who I am and I felt, 'I can't be alone in this.' And it turns out from audience response and emails I receive, I am most certainly not alone. To be thanked for "saying what I couldn't say" is one of the most amazing rewards an artist could ever receive. This show has done that and I can't wait to do it again."

We asked McAnally about the challenges of both writing and performing Size Matters.

"Size is not something men talk about. So, the challenge was to talk about something men don't talk about, and not turn off my target audience... men. That's where humor comes in, because that's at least how me and my guy friends and family have always dealt with uncomfortable topics. The original directors and I worked very hard at making sure the show was genuine and not preachy. This isn't a "therapy play", but through the honesty and comedy it can certainly be therapeutic."

McAnally is sure that Hamilton Stage audiences will enjoy Size Matters. "I think the Rahway area audiences will appreciate the production in similar ways to the last audience; people respond to the autobiographical honesty of the piece, the humor, and if I do my work right, the humanity of the characters. I'm excited to bring the show to New Jersey because it's where I called home while training and starting my career. It's where I made a lot of the realizations that are in the play, due in large part to the culture and communities I was living and working in, from New Brunswick to Jersey City. This is a bit like a Homecoming for me."

We asked McAnally if there was anything else he wanted Broadwayworld.com readers to know. "If you'd get a kick out of seeing a big guy play fifteen different characters, including his wife, then this show is for you. If you like to find the laughter in life lessons, then this show is for you. If you've ever experienced body issues or doubted yourself, come see it... you might hear something you haven't been able to articulate. If you've got a child (daughter, son, nephew, or niece) in your life and you think to yourself, 'I hope I can help them avoid some of the hard lessons I've learned,' then please bring them and sit next to them, because THAT is what it's about."

Performances of Size Matters will be on the Hamilton Stage from November 12 through November 23. Tickets are $35. You can purchase tickets online at www.americantheatergroup.org, by calling 732-499-8226. You can also visit the Union County Performing Arts Center box office located at 1601 Irving Street. Student/Seniors/Military Personnel tickets are $20 with valid ID at the box office. Groups of 10 or more receive 10% off.