TAABeauty Cast Spotlight: Joe Harding, "Monsiuer D'Arque"

 

Joe Harding is undeniably one of the best character actors in the Central Valley.  A mainstay of Encore Theater Company in Tulare, we are lucky to have him part of TAA's Beauty and the Beast!

These are some of his thoughts on his upcoming role...

Who do you play in Beauty and the Beast and how is he important to the story?  
I am the character Monsieur D’Arque, the insane asylum director. He comes into the show at the point where Gaston needs help convincing Belle to marry him. For a price, D’Arque agrees to collect and send Belle’s father, Maurice, to “reside” in the Maison Des Lunes. Along with Gaston and Le Fou, D’Arque completes the Unholy Trinity or the Three Musketeers of Mayhem. (Insert diabolical plot laugh here). 

This is not a character that matches your personality -- is that fun? Challenging?
First off, I will take that as an immense compliment; although, many at work would say I was “type cast”. The challenge and fun of theater is to do something or act differently than you normally would. I hope to radiate so much sinister evil through voice and mannerisms, Gaston will start looking like a choir boy. Come and see for yourself. 

 What other roles have you played recently?

Over the last 16 months, I have been in 7 shows playing a wide variety of characters. Where else except theater can you get to pretend you are a straight-laced Navy officer or an intoxicated member of a wedding party or a mysterious Christmas party guest with an eye patch and a cape or an honest and sincere Bingo announcer or a farcical Scrooge or the Grinch in a professional latex mask? 


What are your all time favorites and what is on your "bucket list? 
Every role I end up in becomes my all-time favorite. I used to have a pretty long bucket list of shows and roles but over time I have had to eliminate some choice roles like the Elephant Bird in Seussical, Kenickie in Grease and Benjamin in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I am at the point in my community theater and semi-professional stage career where I have a deep appreciation for everyone that contributes to make a show come to life.

The audience only gets to see a fraction of those that are responsible for the magic to happen. I truly enjoy the “bucket cast and crew” where everyone joins an extended family and we all get to share each other’s triumphs as well as a sympathetic ear or shoulder when times get tough around the theater or in life. 

What else do you do with your life when you're not on stage? 
Weren’t you paying attention? I am always on stage. As a math and history teacher for Visalia Unified School District, I put on 3 shows daily for my students, entertaining over a hundred enthusiastic teenagers. Most days after school, I also coach our high school tennis team. That keeps me busy right up to rehearsal for my current show. 

Why is live theater important to you personally and why is it important to the community?  

Joe as Uncle Drosselmeyer in TAA's Nutcracker Ballet

For me, theater is a great hobby. I enjoy the challenge of learning lines, choreography, and music. I believe it is important to the community to support our young artists and encourage them to pursue their dreams. Our area is full of talented young singers, dancers and performers; we do not have to travel far to see high quality live theater on a regular basis. 

Who should come to this show and why? 
I think you should come to show ONLY if you are a KID, have a KID, know a KID, were a KID, think like a KID, or wanna be a KID. Just KIDding! It’s for everyone. It’s Disney. It’s a Theater Arts Alliance production. TAA does not do routine or boring. Memories will be made; experiences will be had. You will be entertained!

Come see Joe and the rest of the phenomenal Beauty and the Beast cast this August 18-21 at the LJ Williams Theater in Visalia 
Tickets at:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2561633 or call 559-972-8417

TAA Frankenstein Artist Spotlight: Brooke Rogers as Elizabeth Benning!

TAA is so excited to have amazing actress Brooke Rogers join us on stage this season!  An incredibly versatile actress, Brooke is stunning in serious and period pieces, but in this comic romp her sparkling wit will have everyone rolling in the aisles as she portrays Elizabeth Benning, Frederick Frankenstein's "madcap fiancee!"

"I'd say any adults with a sense of humor should see Young Frankenstein and have a great time, and adults without a sense of humor should see it so they can get one!"



 We asked Brooke a few more questions about her life in theater and current project... read her other thoughts below!

 1) What roles have you played in recent years and what are your all time favorites?  I just finished playing Anna in The King and I at COS and had an amazing time. It was the first musical I had done in YEARS and the fact that I got to be in such a classic show playing one of the roles I have always wanted to play made it extra special. A couple years before that, I did The Glass Menagerie as Laura, which was another dream time. I'd love to do that show again, I love it so much! I got to be both Belle and Mrs.Potts, which was awesome. At CAL STATE FULLERTON, I had an incredible experience in being an ensemble show called The Spoon River Project as well as The Laramie Project. Both let me explore many diverse characters and it was not only exciting, but it was provided great growth.

2) How is Elizabeth Benning the same/different from any of these? Does she present any particular challenges or fun for you? Elizabeth is SO different from most roles I've played!! It's one of the reasons I was so stoked to take it on, apart from the fact that it's Madeline Kahn's character in the movie. I've played big, out-there characters like Miss. Hannigan in Annie and Nanny in Baby with the Bathwater (who I think is the most Elizabeth-like role I've had). It's going to be hard letting myself be as big and bold as I can be! I'm so freaking excited. She's definitely the dirtiest broad I've ever played, that's for sure. BRING IT ON!

3) Why Theater? Is this kind of art important for the community? Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes. I've seen theater inspire many people, may it be backstage, onstage, or in the audience. The theater community goes past just the cast and crew. The community is incomplete without an audience, so being able to be a part of a show and connect the outside world with the artistic world is an honor, and from the audience point of view, it's an honor to be invited into the story being told.

4) Why see Young Frankenstein?   Um... because it's hysterical. Fans of the movie will get to see many beloved moments live onstage. Even those who haven't seen the movie will have a blast. It has a definite melodramatic element which makes the site even funnier! I'd say any adults with a sense of humor should see it and have a great time, and adults without a sense of humor should see it so they can get one!

Come see Brooke and the rest of the incredible #TAAFrankenstein cast May 26th-28th at the Main Street Theater in Visalia!  
For tickets, call Kym at 559-972-8417 
or go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2540771

DISASTER!

So THIS happened last night at the LA Theater Center....

A friend of mine told me it was the "most fun he'd had in a theater" before we went to see it and wow, he was not exaggerating! 
I laughed until my sides hurt and that was just during the opening number.  By the end, I was doubled over and hoarse!  The seamless transition of awesome 70s hits into crazy comedy and the shameless advantage taken of "willing suspension of disbelief" was combined with some of the best comic timing I've ever seen and heard, even extending into the vocal arrangements of the songs and the band. 
Lim had the opportunity to study with Seth Rudetsky last summer (and as a side note, he recognized Lim when we ran into him on the street before the show -- that was fun...!)  and it was some remarkable audition training.  Many of the notes Lim took during that experience are staples in my studio and conducting now, and with great success!  So seeing him implement some of that stuff on stage was really fun.  The first time he broke out with "I'm looking for some hot stuff..." I probably deafened the people in front of me -- or would have, if they hadn't been cackling as loudly as I was!

There were no weak links in the cast -- my daughter Megan geeked out as soon as she saw Adam Pascal's (Rent, Chess) name in the program, and he did not disappoint at all.  It was also very fun to see Max Crumm on stage again after seeing him in NYC as Matt in The Fantasticks.  I couldn't decide if my favorite was Andrea Martin (2013 Tony for Pippin, click for acceptance speech) or Jennifer Simard (Shrek, Sister Act, Forbidden Broadway) but both of them were beyond outstanding.  A particular treat was young Baylee Littrell -- yup, son of the Backstreet Boy -- so much talent, both vocal and comic, in this kid!

Seth auctions off an opportunity to co-host "Seth Speaks" after the show

One last special shout-out to the MD, Larry Pressgrove -- ya know, 'cuz this is the most important person, right???  The music was tight and detailed.  Made me happy!

For more info, reviews, and a highlights clip, visit http://www.disastermusical.com/