Interview: Melvin Abston Stars As Sebastian In THE LITTLE MERMAID At The Hobby Center

With its timeless appeal, THE LITTLE MERMAID is a shimmery combination of other-worldly magic and interpersonal angst. It's an oceanic coming-of-age story, full of obstinate, yet tender-hearted characters, not the least of which is Sebastian the crab, Ariel's earnestly commanding would-be mentor. Melvin Abston plays this crowd-pleasing role in the production that will be splashing into the Hobby Center on September 10.

You've done a wide range of work, from musical theatre to television roles. What art form do you enjoy the most?

Film and TV provide an exposure unequaled. To flip through channels at any given hour or go to your local movie multi plex and see an actor's work is so easy to do. Many chances to see a Film and TV actors that way. But theatre; being executed live in front of you. To be directly involved in the story as an audience member. Unlike the other mediums (film and TV) where the performances don't change, live theatre allows for an organic growth from moment to moment, scene to scene. You can't pause live theatre or look away. One has to travel to the theatre, and not only that, invest in the world on that stage. There's no "back to one" or cut aways or do-overs. From start to finish, we're all in it together in the theatre. All that to say, theatre was my first love and remains so.

Where did you grow up? Did you sing and act as a kid?

I am a proud Chicago native. From the Austin neighborhood... 'The West Side', as we affectionately refer to it. As a kid, the "bug" had not bitten me. Sure, I sang in my church growing up and performed in a Christmas play or two (or five). Of course being born and raised less than an hour from where The Jackson 5 were also born and raised didn't hurt. But I didn't discover my passion and zest for this crazy business until much later.

You've been on Gotham, Raising Hope, and Weeds, just to name a few of your TV credits. Have you ever been starstruck?

No, not really. Reason being, I think of "stars" as my peers. We do the same thing, they simply have more fans that I and are paid on a different scale. The truth is if I share a scene with Laurence Fishburne and Cicely Tyson or Andy Garcia and Mary Louise Parker or anyone else for that matter, the goal and aim is to do the work. If I get caught up in being a fan, I'm not in the world in which the play, film or TV show takes place and I'm just taking up space and ruining an opportunity for some other actor to do the work. That's not how it's done, that's not professional.

If you could work with anyone in the theatre world who would it be?

Oh wow, there's so much great work being done and a large number of people and theatres doing it! Lin-Manuel Miranda is one of the most sought after talents today. Would love to get a chance to create with him. Danai Gurira is an amazing playwright (as well as an actor, The Walking Dead). Stephen Adly Guirgis I am huge fan of and would be giddy to bring his words to life. In this show I am finally getting a chance to work with Glenn Casale, something I've wanted to do for years. The list goes on and on and on. Some amazing regional theaters put out great work I'd love to be involved with, like The Guthrie (Minneapolis), Arena Stage (DC), The Huntington (Boston), The Old Globe and San Diego Rep (San Diego), Long Wharf Theatre (New Haven, CT), The Steppenwolf (Chicago), ACT (San Francisco), South Coast Rep (Costa Mesa, CA), The Alley Theatre (Houston) Goodspeed Opera (East Haddam, CT) and The McCarter Theatre (Princeton, NJ)...Ooooh, Uzo Aduba, she is a force of nature! And while I'm at it, Anna D. Shapiro, Debbie Allen, Casey Nicholaw, Tina Landau, Kenny Leon, Mary Zimmerman, Colman Domingo. Ok, I'll stop!

Let's say you have a day off to do whatever you feel like. Where do you go and what do you do?

I'm a homebody. I don't often stray too far from home, unless work demands it. Museums, historical points of interests and the like tend to be my cup of tea. Because eight shows a week can be taxing, downtime is a gift when we can find it. Watching cult classic films and great older TV series. I'm finally making time to get back to into reading. I love a good book! Having a delicious meal with company and conversation. Believe it or not, I love to go see other shows. Supporting peers is one thing actors that I know love to do. In a perfect world, making time for a spa day; I'm talking manicure, pedicure... A MASSAGE! I could use all of that right about now.

You play Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, which is a great character role. What do you like best about playing this part?

His heart. He is such a loving little guy. Puts himself in peril and great risk for loved ones and friends. He feels so deeply the emotions of those around him, mainly Ariel and King Triton. The comedy and singing the wonderful songs he has is a treat, but displaying the love for relationships he has built is the key. It's what reels the audience in on a genuine, personal level. If you don't have a "Sebastian" in your life, seeing him on stage makes you want one! He's a special kinda crustacean.

For tickets to THE LITTLE MERMAID: https://www.thehobbycenter.org/index.php?q=node/133

The show runs September 10-13.

Photo Credit: Daniel G. Lam