Feature: Eric B. Anthony Realizes His Dream as 'The Scarecrow' in 'The Wiz'

There's nothing this correspondent enjoys more than watching the progression of an actor who displays a great deal of talent as a very young man.  I first met Eric B. Anthony during the rehearsals for the "FanFest Kids" who were to perform during the festivities surrounding the1993 All-Star Game in Baltimore. Over 500 youngsters auditioned at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Anthony made a big impression.

I then observed Anthony's incredible prowess as a dancer in high school at the Carver Center for the Arts and Technology in Towson, MD.

Was it a surprise to see Eric make it on Broadway? I guess it always is considering the number of talented people trying to achieve this goal. His first time on a Broadway stage was with The Lion King.  I was fortunate to see his performance with the Tony winning musical Hairspray.  Later, Eric joined the Broadway cast of Mary Poppins where he was an understudy for the leading role of "Bert".

The story of how Eric came to be playing "The Scarecrow" in the most successful show in Center Stage history is pretty amazing.

When he was 15, Eric did the role of "The Scarecrow" in a production of The Wiz at Baltimore's  Arena Players Youtheater.  He's wanted to do professionally ever since. It was at the Arena he first took the profession very seriously.  He added, I loved it so much at an early age. It mattered that I knew my lines and that has stuck with me to this day."

For the past two years, Anthony has lived in Los Angeles. He's done some commercials, some holiday shows and this past summer was cast as "Paul" in a production of Rent at the Hollywood Bowl directed by Neil Patrick Harris which  included Wayne Brady, Vanessa Hudgens and Baltimore's own TracieThoms. The show attracted 54,000 over three days.

Prior to this August production , Eric returned to Baltimore to see his family for a little vacation. He then headed up to New York to see his friend/actor Jonathan Groff  (Spring Awakening and "Glee") who was making his debut at Joe's Pub. While in NYC, Eric got a phone call from a friend to meet her at  the Ripley-Grier Studios to review her lines. While there, he saw another friend who asked Eric if he was there for the auditions for The Wiz. Eric was puzzled and asked "What are you talking about?" Then Eric found out his hometown theater Center Stage was producing the musical he always wanted to be a part of.

As any actor worth his salt knows, you always carry your head shot, resume, song book, and list of monologues.  He walked upstairs and found out the dates he would have to be available, Aug. 27 to Nov. 7.  Casting director Janet Foster (who had auditioned Eric before) was told by Eric he was visiting from LA and he could not leave without auditioning. She took his head shot and resume and returned a minute later asked if he could sing "I was Born on the Day Before Yesterday" from the show.

According to Eric, it was a "comfortable audition".  Center Stage Artistic Director Irene Lewis was there.  He then sang the whole song. He was then asked to learn a scene.  Then, after he was done, he told Lewis that he was from Baltimore and that his favorite show in the world was The Wiz. She replied, "How is this possible?" Eric then mentioned all the shows he saw at Center Stage:  Fences, Two  Trains Running, Othello, Das Barbecu, and Spunk.

Eric then left New York and returned home to Baltimore. Two days later, he got the call that he was wanted for a call back and a movement audition with choreographer Willie Rosario. It was on July 6, 2010, that Eric was told he'd have an "offer". He replied, "Thank you so much. You made my dream come true. He called his sister Erica and cried on the phone.

The Wiz has surpassed all Center Stage box office records. It must close Sunday afternoon, Nov. 7. Normally, after a final performance, the cast has already packed their bags and are on their way to return home. But that will not be  the case on Nov. 7.

For tickets to The Wiz, call 410-332-0033.

 

FUNDRAISER FOR ARENA PLAYERS YOUTHEATRE SUNDAY NIGHT NOVEMBER 7

Thanks to Eric and fellow cast member and Baltimorean Jonathan Burke, the cast will be reunited one last time in a fund-raiser for the Arena Players Youtheatre on Sunday evening at the Arena Players, 801 McCulloh Street, Baltimore, MD from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $45. Beverages and light fare will be available for purchase. For reservations, call 410-728-6500.

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

Photo Credit: Charles Shubow

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