Interview with
Larry Raben and David Engel

Veteran performers/ life partners Larry Raben and David Engel are collaborating once more. Last seen in Musical Theatre West’s The Andrews Brothers at the Carpenter Center, Long Beach in April, they are now preparing to open the stage adaptation of the film classic Singin’ in the Rain at the Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks on July 25. Raben will direct and Engel will choreograph and star as Don Lockwood, the role made famous onscreen by Gene Kelly. Multiple Ovation Award winner for Best Musical Actor, Engel has frequently made my year-end list of Best Performances (Can-Can in 2007, the latest) and is an extraordinary dancer who, like fine wine, gets richer with time. The boys took some time out of their hectic schedule to chat about the show, their careers, the musical theatre scene and expressed a few ideas about the issue of gay marriage.

Q: Tell me about your collaboration on Singin’ in the Rain. How did that come about?

LR:  LEWIS WILKENFELD HAD WANTED ME TO COME AND DIRECT AT CABRILLO AND I JUMPED AT THE CHANCE TO WORK ON THIS CINEMATIC CLASSIC.  I'VE HAD A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THIS FILM SINCE COLLEGE WHEN SOMEONE FIRST SHOWED IT TO ME.  MOVIE MUSICALS DON'T GET ANY BETTER.  I THEN SAW THE ORIGINAL
BROADWAY PRODUCTION AND WAS UNDERWHELMED.  THE MISSING KELLY/DONEN WORK WAS A BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT.  TWYLA THARP DID HER BEST TO PUT HER OWN STAMP ON THE NUMBERS NOT LIFTED FROM THE FILM, BUT THE STYLE WAS A
JUMBLE AND HER WORK DIDN'T STACK UP AGAINST GENE AND STANLEY'S.  WHEN LEWIS INFORMED ME THAT THE RIGHTS TO ALL OF THE KELLY/DONEN WORK NOW CAME WITH THE SHOW RENTAL I GOT VERY EXCITED ABOUT FLESHING OUT THE FILM FOR THE STAGE AND RETURNING IT TO ITS FORMER GLORY. THE NEXT
THOUGHT WAS TO ASK DAVID IF HE WOULD REPRISE HIS ROLE AS DON, AND THANKFULLY HE SAID YES.  IT'S AN INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT ROLE TO CAST, BUT ONE THAT HE WAS BORN TO PLAY.  IT REQUIRES A LEADING MAN WHO HAS BELIEVABLE MOVIE STAR CHARISMA AND LOOKS, WHO ALSO IS A PHENOMENAL DANCER, SINGER AND ACTOR.  I SEPARATE OUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WHEN I'M CASTING.  HE HAS NOT BEEN CAST IN A FEW ROLES HE REALLY WANTED TO PLAY IN SHOWS THAT I WAS DIRECTING, BUT MY JOB IS TO CAST THE BEST POSSIBLE ACTOR FOR THE ROLE AND SOMETIMES THAT MEANS NOT USING THE PERSON YOU SHARE YOUR LIFE WITH …WHO HAPPENS TO BE BRILLIANT…
ALL THE WHILE KNOWING IT WOULD ALSO BRING INCOME INTO YOUR OWN HOME.  THE SHOW COMES FIRST.

DE: Although it's a great show, I don't find the role of "Don" the most challenging.  He sort of plays the straight man to all the silliness around him.  I said that I would do it if I could choreograph it as well.  I had only done John Engstrom's version of the show and, albeit a great version, I always wanted to do the Broadway Ballet from the film.  By choreographing the show, I could make it a whole new experience for me and would ensure a version closer to the film itself.  I like to think it was Lewis Wilkenfeld's little plan the whole time as an "in" to get me to do the show.  But Lewis had wanted Larry to come out and direct for a long time and this show just fell into place.  He just happened to get us as a package!  We have actually collaborated in this capacity many times before.  We have a shorthand and language with each other that we don't have with anyone else.  We are brutally honest and know that we don't have to pussyfoot around each other when it comes to ideas and suggestions.  We thoroughly trust and respect each other. although we often have totally different ideas, in the end we always feel we come out with a product we are happy with and don't feel that we have individually compromised. When we did Never Gonna Dance at Musical Theatre West, I was in place as the lead before Larry came along.  Our relationship had nothing to do with his becoming the director of it.  Larry had worked for MTW before and they love him there.  People also know that we collaborate well together.  It is how we met and we have been doing it for 19 years now.  It's a good, safe environment for both of us.   
     

Q: Tell me briefly about Forever Plaid. Is that where you guys met? Isn't a big reunion due soon for that show? What happened to PBS? I never remember the show airing. Refresh my memory about it all.

DE: Funny you should ask...  The Forever Plaid that we were supposed to shoot for PBS got pushed back a few summers ago and has only just resurfaced.  Yes, the original New York production of Forever Plaid is where we met in 1989.  We worked on the show from its inception.  After working together side-by-side for four years, our relationship changed when we were performing the show on London's West End in 1993.  So as we are celebrating our 15th year together, Forever Plaid is nearing its 20th year.  Although contracts are not finalized, we are set to film the show in front of invited audiences at the beginning of August.  It is being billed as the 20th anniversary presentation.  Although it will have original company members, Stan Chandler, Larry and myself, it will also star Daniel Reichard from the original cast of Jersey Boys.  You are truly the first to have this little exclusive.  Nothing is signed, but this is the plan.  Hope it all works out.  Beyond this filming of the show, we are never far from our Plaid roots.  We continue to mount productions of the original show as well and Plaid Tidings, and we do special appearances and recordings whenever we can all come together.  Stan, Larry and I recently teamed up together to do The Andrews Brothers and had a blast with it.  The three of us have a history and built in chemistry.  We understand the dynamics and know how to work "the funny" as a collective.  It is something that only comes from years of being together.  It is the safest I ever feel onstage.

Q: Larry, How actively are you still involved with The Producers? Are you touring with it? Talk about your involvement!

LR: STILL DEEP IN IT.  I JUST RETURNED FROM THE ST. LOUIS MUNY, A 12,000 SEAT OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATRE WHERE I PLAYED CARMEN GHIA FOR A CHANGE.  I HAD UNDERSTUDIED AND PLAYED THE ROLE MANY TIMES ON BROADWAY AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO DO IT WITH NATHAN LANE, MATTHEW BRODERICK AND GARY
BEACH A BUNCH OF TIMES, AS ROGER BART WAS IN RESHOOTS FOR THE STEPFORD WIVES  FILM.  I WILL BE DIRECTING MY FIRST PRODUCTION OF IT ON LONG ISLAND IN AUGUST, AND THEN I'M GOING TO PLAY LEO BLOOM AT MTW (MUSICAL THEATRE WEST) IN JAN./FEB. OF '09.  A LOT OF FRIENDS NEVER MADE IT TO NEW YORK TO SEE ME AS LEO, NOR TO VEGAS, SO I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING IT FOR THE HOMETOWN CROWD.  IT IS MY FAVORITE ROLE.   NOW MOVING INTO DIRECTING THE PIECE, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEW CHALLENGES WITH THE SHOW.  I HAVE HUGE RESPECT FOR HOW MAGNIFICENTLY IT IS CRAFTED, AND I'M EXCITED TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCE WITH NEW ACTORS.

Q: Do you enjoy directing David more or working on stage with him?

DE: (before larry opens his mouth)
He loves it all.  I am a dream to work with… and to direct!!!

LR: (keeps from cracking up)… THAT WOULD BE THE LATTER, ALTHOUGH I'LL TAKE EITHER OPTION ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!  I HAVE A COMPLETE SAFETY NET PERFORMING WITH HIM.  WE KNOW HOW TO TRULY SHARE THE STAGE WITH EACH OTHER AND WHEN TO SEND THE FOCUS TO THE OTHER ONE FOR THE CLEANEST, FUNNIEST RESULTS.  HE'S VERY GIVING ON STAGE AND SHARING SUCH TALENTED COMPANY ALWAYS MAKES ME LOOK BETTER!

Q:  David, What is your favorite role that you've played?

DE: Bobby in Crazy for You  is the role that most shows what it is that I "do":  Song-and-Dance-Man skills, physical shtick, and character work.  It is probably the most rewarding thing I have ever done onstage.  But physically, it is the most difficult show I have ever done, making it not my favorite role.  My absolute favorite role is Albin/Zaza in La Cage aux Folles.  I guess that would count as two roles.  I had played Hanna from Hamburg in the original production on Broadway and had hoped that I would one day play Georges.  I never felt I was right for Albin.  When Paul Garman at Musical Theatre West asked me to do it, I turned him down.  It wasn't until the third time he asked me and said that Jerry Herman was on board and really loved the idea of me playing it, that I accepted.  Jerry always felt the two leads should be in their mid-forties to believe that their relationship could still have fire.  He thought that for Georges to have had a dalliance to produce a son, it would have been in his 20s not his 40s.  And finally, that Zaza should be a believable diva star of a drag nightclub.  So I took it and ran with it.  With all my years in the original production, I was right at home in heels.  Having Nick DeGruccio directing gave me more insight to who Albin was than I ever knew from watching the great George Hearn.  It is a juicy, fun, complex role that just doesn't come along that often, but I hope it does again.  Jerry (Herman) was so pleased with me, that he had me flown to New York for the revival final callbacks.  They didn't share Jerry's vision but it was nice to have his seal of approval.    

Q: What roles do both of you yearn to play that you haven't thus far?

LR: HMMMM...DR.  FRANKENSTEIN, SIR ROBIN IN SPAMALOT, THE DETECTIVE IN CURTAINS, THE EMCEE IN CABARET, ANY SHAKESPEARE, AND CERTAINLY MORE PLAYS.

DE: I have been gearing my whole career to eventually play Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady.  The only thing is that Henry has traditionally been played by an older actor.  Now it seems to be played by younger actors and I fear I may have missed the boat.  I haven't given up though.  Also, for some reason, I haven't played Harold Hill in The Music Man.  I know there is still time for that though.  Finally, I played the Peter O'Toole role in My Favorite Year  for Musical Theatre Guild and I would truly love to play it for keeps in a full scale production one day.  All-in-all, I have been very lucky and blessed to play a varied assortment of roles and I just hope to keep on the same roll I have been on.   

Q: Talk about your views on gay marriage. Would you consider marrying? Why? Why not?

LR: WE'RE ACTUALLY ENGAGED!  WE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE FOR ALMOST 15 YEARS.  WE ARE IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL -- LIFERS.  WE ARE MORE COMMITTED THAN MANY STRAIGHT COUPLES I KNOW.  I BELIEVE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED AND CELEBRATE HOW JOYOUS IT IS TO HAVE FOUND A LIFE
PARTNER.  HE IS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE.  I THINK THAT GAY MARRIAGE WILL HAVE THE SAME BLESSINGS AND PITFALLS THAT STRAIGHT MARRIAGE DOES, BUT THAT IT WILL BE GOOD FOR THE COLLECTIVE PSYCHE OF GAY PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF STANDING IN FRONT OF NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND SAYING "WE CHOOSE TO CHERISH EACH OTHER AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER".  WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT!

DE: Yes, We're doin' it!  I can't understand what everyone's issue is with it.  How does it truly affect them?  It doesn't!  What's the big deal if we want to be related?  We are totally committed and are legally joined in every other possible way, but I just think we should do it because we can and we need to be counted.  And y'know, I just don't think the sky is gonna fall down!  My brother-in-law is currently staying with us and is on his fifth marriage.  And “straights” testify that gays will ruin the "sanctity of marriage"....REALLY!  

Q: What do you think of the newer shows?  Do you prefer traditional book shows to freer contemporary ones?

LR: I LOVE THAT BROADWAY HAS PRODUCED FRESH AND PROGRESSIVE MATERIAL IN THIS DECADE.  EXCITING STUFF!  I THINK PEOPLE FORGET THAT MANY OF THE RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN STORIES WERE EDGY IN THEIR TIME.  A FRESH PERSPECTIVE IS IMPERATIVE TO THE LONG-TERM HEALTH OF THE ARTFORM.  I APPLAUD PAUL GARMAN AT MUSICAL THEATRE WEST FOR ALWAYS SLIPPING AN UNTESTED, NEW-TO-HIS-AUDIENCE SHOW INTO HIS SEASON EACH YEAR.  IF WE ONLY REGURGITATE THE SAME 50 SHOW CANON, HOW WILL WE HAVE NEW CLASSICS? AND ISN'T IT GRATIFYING TO GO TO THE THEATRE AND HEAR A STORY YOU DON'T KNOW OCCASIONALLY?  IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO PRESENT TOP-NOTCH PRESENTATIONS OF CLASSIC MUSICALS BECAUSE THERE IS ALWAYS A NEW GENERATION THAT IS HEARING THESE STORIES AND SONGS FOR THE FIRST TIME.  I APPLAUD CAROL NUSSBAUM AND LEWIS WILKENFELD AT CABRILLO FOR GOING INTO THE SCHOOLS.  ALONG WITH DAVID, THEY RECENTLY  EMBARKED ON AN EDUCATIONAL/ENTERTAINMENT PROMOTION IN THE LOCAL SCHOOLS AND TAUGHT THE KIDS ABOUT THE ERA OF SILENT FILM , A CONCEPT WHICH WAS ANATHEMA TO THEM, AND HOW FILM TRANSITIONED INTO TALKIES AND MUSICALS.  DAVID
FIELDED QUESTIONS AND IDEAS FROM THE KIDS AND PERFORMED LIVE FOR THEM.  THIS KIND OF OUTREACH IS A WAY TO GET KIDS EXCITED ABOUT LIVE PERFORMANCE AND BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION OF THEATREGOERS AND THEATRE STARS.  AND YOU KNOW, ONE OF THOSE KIDS HAD HIS LIFE FOREVER CHANGED BY THIS EXPERIENCE AND WILL SOME DAY LIKELY BE THE NEXT DAVID ENGEL!

DE:  I love it all.  Some of it may not be my "teacup", but musical theatre does not have one definition.  It has always been an ever changing art form and needs to keep changing and inspiring more change.  There will always be the commercial, formula Broadway musicals, but I love when it breaks out of its mold and gives us something new that we have never seen before.  It's all good!

Thank you, guys, for your contributions, separate and mutual, which  have surely made it all a lot better than just good!

More info on singin’ in the rain:
Accomplished actor and Emmy-winning writer Randy Rogel will play the Donald O’Connor role of Cosmo Brown. The role of Kathy Selden will be played by Shanon Mari Mills, and Melissa Fahn - direct from the Los Angeles cast of WICKED - will portray Lina Lamont. Alby Potts will serve as Musical Director and Conductor. The show features songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, with screenplay adaptation by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN will open on Friday, July 25, 2008 and run through Sunday, August 3, for Cabrillo Music Theatre in the Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Countrywide Performing Arts Center located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks. Visit their website for ticket prices and reservation info.