Meet the Stars of NYMF: Patrick Richwood of FOOLERIE

New York Musical Theatre Festival is in full swing and BroadwayWorld has taken the time to sit down with some of the stars of this years NYMF musicals.

Like any great art form, musical theatre is shaped by the events and philosophies of the day. The strength and vitality of musical theatre lie in its ability to stay fresh and relevant. It was with that idea in mind, ten years ago, that the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) was created - to provide an effective platform to introduce new shows, new perspectives, and new blood into the musical theatre canon.

MEET THE STARS OF NYMF sits down with Patrick Richwood of FOOLERIE

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What's your favorite thing about performing as part of NYMF?

It's really a buzz to be part of the creation of something NEW. And to know that I am working with the theatre shapers of tomorrow - there's a lot of brilliance darting around the rehearsal room - it's electric.

Have you participated in NYMF before? If so, what's your favorite part and what drew you back to the festival?

This is my first time participating in the festival - unless you count being an audience member, which I have done many times.

What other NYMF show are you most intrigued by or excited to see?

I'm very intrigued by SINGLE WIDE. I love theatre that peels it's story like an onion and that one looks like it might do that. But then, the thing I love about a festival, whether it be film or visual art or Theatre, is the adventure of not knowing what you'll see. It has a bit of a roulette-wheel quality to it that makes me feel a little more adventurous than usual and I love that feeling. Plus it's affordable. There was a time when actors could go and see a Broadway play 4, 5 6 times and really study their craft by watching a master at work because it was $2.50 for a balcony seat. Obviously those days are long gone, now that mainstream ticket prices are so absurd, and I believe the entire art (and craft) of acting on the stage suffers because of it. NYMF is an opportunity to drink up good work and be inspired.
Tell us about your show/your character?

FOOLERIE is billed as a Shakespearean Musical Comedy, but that sounds so high-falootin' whitch it definiotely is NOT. There's this hilarious and ridiculously convoluted story that's invented by a well-honed troupe of fools. Within that story, another story emerges, sort of accidentally... maybe... and turns everything upside-down. It cracks open the nature of foolishness itself and asks, what's inside? Do I have the courage to look? What will happen if I dare to stop "clowning" and let myself actually be a fool? I think each of us has to come to grips with that anyway - especially actors - so there's an undeniable ring of truth to it. And the writing brings that forth in just the right tone. It's really a extraordinary piece of story telling. I play one of the archetypes in this company of fools - the old letch, Hospital John (don't ask.) and when I say he's outrageously raunchy, I'm so not kidding. But even my character becomes dimensional as the piece unfolds. He can't avoid it. None of us can. That's what makes it so delicious.