BWW Interviews: Cumberland County Playhouse's Resident Funny Man Jason Ross

There comes a moment in the current revival of Oklahoma! (now onstage at Cumberland County Playhouse through September 2) when Jason Ross, the actor playing peddler Ali Hakim comes onstage and action stops for a thundering ovation from the audience. Yep, Jason Ross is so popular with Playhouse audiences that he gets entrance applause - a sure sign that an actor has been doing something right so far as the audience is concerned. Sure, they love other Playhouse veterans just as much, but to say that Jason Ross is beloved by audiences is not, by any stretch of the imagination, hyperbole.

Perhaps more so than any other actor at the Crossville theater, he is its standard bearer - the actor whose very name might ensure either the success or failure of ticket sales for a particular show. Now, granted, Jason Ross would never admit to that - and, truth be told, he doesn't really believe it - but as an objective observer of all things theatrical in the Volunteer State, I can say it 'til the cows come home. But, rest assured, Jason is turning bright red as he reads this despite the fact that his relationship with Playhouse audiences goes beyond the typical audience/actor dynamic.

Jason Ross, after all, is their friend, in the eyes of every loyal theater-goer who has made Cumberland County Playhouse one of the most popular theater companies in the whole United States.

Case in point, in addition to his Oklahoma! entrance: When Ross comes onstage in The Adventure Theatre (The Playhouse's black box theater which is often home to its edgier material) for another of his summer repertory roles in the company's terrific version of Little Shop of Horrors, he's not so much met with unsolicited or unexpected applause as he is met with an instant recognition and peals of laughter greeting him in anticipation of the first funny thing he'll do on that stage.

Watching Ross take on any role (in addition to Oklahoma! and Little Shop of Horrors, he's also currently starring in Duck Hunter Shoots Angel at The Playhouse through July 14, before taking on subsequent roles as we move deeper into summer) is a completely involving experience for the audience (hey, even critics are essentially audience members) giving them the opportunity to see a fine actor doing what he does best.

The winner of the best actor in a play award during Midwinter First Night's Nashville.BroadwayWorld.com awards last January for his performance in the original production of Duck Hunter Shoots Angel, Ross night after night, performance after performance, is given the chance to do the work he loves in front of people who love him, whether they are in the audience or onstage with him.

Last week, Ross somehow found the time in his jam-packed schedule (it's not unusual for Playhouse actors to give a 10:30 a.m. performance, followed by a quick lunch which takes them to a short rehearsal for an upcoming production, which is then followed by a 2:30 p.m. matinee, then dinner and a 7:30 p.m. show - at least that's the schedule Jason Ross was following last Saturday when I was in Crossville for a day of theater) to answer our questions and to give us some insight into what makes him do what he does and why there's no better place for him to pursue his theatrical dreams than at Cumberland County Playhouse.

So tell me about the characters you're playing Little Shop of Horrors. I play the narrator, radio announcer, customer 1, customer 2, Orin Scrivello, Bernstein, Mrs. Luce, Skip Snip and PatRick Martin. Whew! Basically everyone who is not Seymour, Audrey or Mushnik. There are a lot of quick changes involved, which I'm no stranger to, having done the Tuna shows for years.  

What's your favorite part about the show? I really love the visceral quality of the song "Feed Me" and how Seymour's first witnessing of Orin's temper and abuse towards Audrey serves as the catalyst for Seymour and Audrey 2's murderous rampage. 

What's your favorite song in the score? Of course, who doesn't love "Suddenly Seymour" and the title song performed by the fabulous urchins? But I also like Seymour's "Grow for Me" in which he sings longingly to baby Audrey 2 to grow up in a sha-la-la '60s love song style. Mainly because of the lyric,  "Oh, God, how I mist you."  I just think that is so clever. Makes me chuckle every time   

What sets this show experience apart from all the others you've done at The Playhouse? Well, we call ourselves Tennessee's Family Theater so we seldom get to do somewhat darker and campy shows like this one, even though I did Sleuth and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest a few years back and both were extremely intense and emotionally exhausting.  But as far as this one goes, I think the feel good quality of the score and Greg and Lindy [Pendzick]'s performances Make Up For its grimness and has been well received.  

You're obviously one of the best-known and best-loved actors at The Playhouse, what kind of responsibility does that place upon you? As far as responsibility goes, I just try to do the best job I can, like everyone else, and fully commit to whatever material I am working on and do my best to tell the story. I have been here many years and the audience's love and support are so wonderful, but I always strive to be as humble as possible.

Have you ever had any particularly weird or funny offstage moments with fans? (I would like to think you have a bookful of stories)... Yes, I have a lot of stories - too numerous to mention - but one that sticks out in my mind is from years ago doing Smoke On The Mountain. In the second act, when Stanley storms back into the church and takes over my pulpit and I'm sitting on the bench as upset as can be, a lady gets out of her seat and sits with me on the bench and says "Don't worry, sugar, I'll take you home with me and we can save each other!"  Also on occasion I get wonderful little food gifts from people - everything from cakes to cookies to sandwiches and even full sack lunches from people all over the country. That's quite nice.  

Who do you play in Oklahoma!? Right now I am playing Ali Hakim the traveling salesman in Oklahoma! which is not one of my personal favorites, but its fun.  And I suppose I am going back into the Smoke shows as well as taking over the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago when Britt Hancock leaves in September. I'm nervous about replacing him, but I know it will be a blast.  As far as the rest of the season goes no one's told me anything yet.  

 

Of all the roles you've played, what are some of your favorites? Oh my gosh! Let's see: Well I loved playing Fredrick in A Little Night Music, opposite the fabulous Weslie Webster, and also the Baker in Into the Woods, also opposite Ms. Webster. Edna Turnbladt in Hairspray was tons of fun and, of course, Henry Higgins was a personal labor of love for me.  Also Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Koko in The Mikado, Fagan in Oliver, The Duke in Big River, Lloyd Dallas in Noises Off, Mayor Shinn (oddly enough) in The Music Man, Clunnette in Battle of Shallowford, Charlie and Ellerd in The Foreigner, Milo in Sleuth and Bela Zangler in Crazy for You.  Also, all the roles in Little Me.  And Lumier in Beauty and the Beast -although I would never want to be in that again. It was like a fire lake in hell.

What makes The Playhouse unique among theaters you've worked at? I'd say the sort of communal family atmosphere due to the insanely intense work schedule. But, on the plus side, I'm only a couple of hours away from my family. Even though our rehearsal periods are generally four weeks, which is luxurious compared to most other theaters, there's always so very much going on.   

If you could play any role, what would it be? I would love to play any of the male parts in The Producers and one day I would love to play Salieri in Amadeus and Harry Truman in Give 'Em Hell, Harry.  And, of course, who would not want to play Sweeney in Sweeney Todd. Also, I'd love to play John Wilkes Booth in Assassins. And Mr. Applegate in the revival version of Damn Yankees. I've always wanted to try my hand at some Noel Coward. Blithe Spirit, maybe. I just love his sophisticated, bitchy humor. Also, a fantasy of mine is to play the Lion in The Wiz and Albin in La Cage Aux Folles and Sylvia St. Crois in Ruthless. I love Ruthless!

What's in store for Jason Ross the rest of the season? Well I'm sure playing Billy Flynn will be a blast and, I suppose, I'm going back in to Smoke on the Mountain and Sanders Family Christmas. Dearly Departed is a funny, funny show. I did it years ago in Chattanooga. Not great art, but a terrific crowd-pleaser. That will be fun, although I don't know who I am playing as of yet. And, of course, I'm looking forward to my vacation.  

Pictured (from top) Jason Ross as Orin Scrivello in Little Shop of Horrors, in the title role of Duck Hunter Shoots Angel and with Michael Ruff in Duck Hunter Shoots Angel