"Boys From Syracuse," Baltimore, NYC & the World, Pt. 1

The first thing that strikes you when Paolo Montalban and Kevin R. Free walk into a room is the intensity of their good will toward each other and what they are doing.  "Man, am I tired!" both exclaim almost in unison, laughing at the synergy that has developed in their short time together.  When I sat down with them in the green room of Baltimore's CenterStage, they were in the midst of what must be exhausting rehearsals for Rodgers and Hart's The Boys from Syracuse.  In it, they play Antipholus of Syracuse and Dromio of Ephesus, respectively.  The musical itself is based on the Shakespearean romp Comedy of Errors, and this version, which will remain true to the original book, is being staged like a vaudeville/burlesque show.  Kevin Free enthuses, "I am amazed by our dancers.  They are basically told what to do once, and they do it.  And what they can do is unbelievable!"  Paolo Montalban agrees, adding, "This is a comedy musical, not just a musical.  The emphasis has been on the comedy.  I love it!  And it is so great to really learn about vaudeville and burlesque, but it is hard.  Hard work!  I'm not always sure of what I am doing [during the rehearsal process], but I really believe this advice I was given: 'If you are not sure of what you are doing, you are likely doing something worthwhile!' That is so true for an actor."  Free seconds that.  "I am so involved [in rehearsals] because it is so difficult, and so I've learned a lot about myself.  I am grateful to be here."

           
Both actors have extensive resumes, including some possibly unexpected credits.  Montalban, for example, was named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 1998.  He got a bit of teasing from friends then, but he laughs about it now.  "It all came about because before that, there was an article about Cinderella (the ABC TV movie version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic), and the editors called and asked if I'd do this.  I thought my manager was out of his mind!  Then I figured I'd be buried somewhere in the back of the issue, but they went all out – 3 photo shoots, plus these beautiful white horses!" 

 

Free has a wide-ranging resume, as well.  Of course there are the TV shows, plays and musicals, but he also has made a name for himself as an audio book reader, a country-western singer, and as a commentator on NPR.  "NPR happened because a friend of mine wanted me to help train commentators to not sound like robots.  I said, 'Sure!', and then she called me back and asked if I'd be interested in being a commentator myself.  They needed a Black, gay voice."  Free goes on to say that he is involved in so many aspects of the arts both on purpose and by mistake.  "If I could, I'd only act.  But I always want to improve all of my skills.  When I started, I just knew I'd start on Broadway and then go right into sitcoms!  But, I just wasn't doing it; I realized [early on] that wasn't me.  So I did different things to survive.  Then people would start calling and asking me to teach different things they had seen me do.  Part of it, though is on purpose.  My manager asked me to list everything I want to do, and then we work together to make it happen.  I think actors must take control of their careers to keep from waiting tables."  He does a lot of teaching, both school curriculum to kids and acting skills for adult actors.  Through that outlet, he created "Working Actor For Hire."  "I have been very fortunate to put together a career.  I coach other adult actors on how to diversify.  I also do a lot of coaching for auditions.  My goal is that when they leave the feel they can create fearlessly.  People need to empower themselves to create, and they need to know what they are selling.  With the kids I teach, I want them to come away knowing this takes discipline."

 

Discipline and work ethic are two huge things Paolo has learned in his career thus far, and he has learned from some of the greats of the theatre world.  When he worked with two-time Tony winner Donna Murphy in the revival of The King and I, he found her to be completely "focused, committed and smart.  Her acting is so well-thought out and in-depth.  There was never a single moment unturned."  Recently, he joined Tony winner Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon) for her Carnegie Hall concert.  "She calls me her little brother, and she does have that big sister quality about her.  The Filipino acting community is very tight-knit.  When she called and asked me to do it, I couldn't say no!"  Perhaps his most high-profile job to date is co-starring in the ABC TV movie of Cinderella with Brandy and Whitney Houston, of whom he admits, "Even though we never had a scene together, without her I wouldn't have had a job.  She was the boss."  Also in that film was stage legend and two-time Tony winner, Bernadette Peters.  "She glows!  She is light and beautiful, and an off the charts star!"  That movie parlayed into a national tour, co-starring the legendary Eartha Kitt; Montalban says she was sharp and funny.  From all of these leading ladies, he says he learned the importance of a work ethic.  That, he thinks, is what makes them such huge stars.

 

Another reason Cinderella gained a lot of media attention was the completely multi-ethnic, colorblind casting, which now is becoming more the standard than the exception. In fact, The Boys from Syracuse's director, David Schweizer employs that very policy: all four twins in the show are played by men of different ethnic backgrounds.  Paolo remembers, "When I auditioned, I thought, 'how are they ever going to find another tall Filipino if I get cast?'  I wasn't thinking outside the box."  As for non-traditional/multi-ethnic casting, Free adds, "I think it is necessary to make a conscious effort [to cast this way].  I mean this production, for example reflects real society – people from all backgrounds living and working together."  Montalban suggests, though, that multi-ethnic casting is inappropriate if "it interferes with the telling of the story.  If there is a culture assigned to it, it is not appropriate."  Both actors cited The Diary of Anne Frank and A Raisin in the Sun as examples where non-traditional casting would hurt rather than enhance the meaning of the play.  "Stage has always been a forerunner to breaking down these types of barriers, while TV and movies are behind, but improving.  Like Lost and Heroes – they aren't trying to be a cross section; they simply reflect a real multicultural society."

 

Both actors also have high praise for CenterStage.  Free says, "The attitude toward actors is very different here."  He says they are all very well taken care of – housing, the theatre facilities, even internet access and transportation are taken care of.  Montalban agrees.  "We have the finest support team here.  They are the finest anywhere, always going above and beyond for us.  Their dramaturgical department is unparalleled."  After receiving thick packets about the history of vaudeville and burlesque to start with, the staff keeps adding information to a wall where actors can learn more.  Funny enough, both actors admitting to seeing the landmark Baltimore Inner Harbor (like any good tourist would), but also admitted checking out the notorious Block – home to Baltimore's rich tradition of burlesque and vaudeville.  "It's not what you think!" they laugh, again in almost unison, "we just walked by to see what it was about!"

The Boys from Syracuse continues at CenterStage in Baltimore through January 14^th.  The show officially opens this Wednesday evening, December 13.  Part two of this interview – with Paolo and Kevin's co-stars, Michael Winther (Broadway's Mamma Mia!, Damn Yankees, 1776) and Manu Narayan (Bombay Dreams, SubUrbia) – will post next Monday.  The review of The Boys from Syracuse will be posted on Thursday, December 14.

PHOTOS: Main Page: (L to R) Blair Ross and Paolo Montalban; TOP: Paolo Montalban; MIDDLE:Kevin R. Free;  Paolo Montalban (Center) and the Girls from Syracuse; BOTTOM: (L to R) Kevin R. Free and Charlie Parker.  Headshots courtesy of CenterStage.  Production photos by Richard Anderson.