FIVE QUESTIONS
'Broadway' actor answers role calls at local theaters
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
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| Derek Calibre, left, is Stan, and Gene DeFrancis is Eugene Jerome in Neil Simon's "Broadway Bound," the Hawai'i Pacific University production beginning tonight.
'BROADWAY BOUND' A comedy by Neil Simon, produced by Hawai'i Pacific University Theatre Premieres at 8 p.m. today; repeats at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 5 (no performance on Thanksgiving, Nov. 25; instead, a 7:30 p.m. performance will be given Nov. 24) HPU Theatre on the Windward campus, 45-045 Kamehameha Highway $20 general; $14 seniors, military, students, HPU faculty and staff; $3 HPU students 375-1282 |
His current stop has been at the Hawai'i Pacific University Theatre. DeFrancis portrays Eugene Jerome in Neil Simon's "Broadway Bound," opening tonight at HPU's Windward campus.
Besides lapping up some character roles, DeFrancis is doing some prep work for The Performing Arts Company, a studio he and his partners hope to open up in the Islands in January.
"We want to teach acting and dancing, and offer training," he said of his finishing school for stage wannabes.
DeFrancis figures he's got the basics covered, with his modest credentials (Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists cards) and a desire to share his skills. He's ready to help others with the acting bug join the bandwagon and pursue their dreams.
We asked him Five Questions:
Q. You've made the rounds, previously acting in "Copacabana," "Smokey Joe's Cafe" and "Apartment 3-A" at Manoa Valley Theatre, and "Gypsy" at Army Community Theatre. And now you're at Hawai'i Pacific University. Is this part of your plan, to try for different shows with different theater groups?
A. I try to spread myself around as much as I can, to be a part of different theater groups, but it often depends on the show and who's doing what. But it's nice to circulate; get to know the climate.
Q. What about Eugene Jerome do you like, and how much of him do you find in yourself? Parallels or differences?
A. I try to make myself the character, rather than make the character me. But I like to stretch, and I've played villains or edgier roles earlier, so Eugene is fun-loving, human. I really enjoy playing the realism. Me and Eugene, we're sort of related — not only for the name, but because we both take life easy and are carefree. When life gives us lemons, we make lemonade.
Q. What's the lure in acting, and how does it help you in work or real life?
A. It's the freedom of expression, more or less. When I was younger, my father was training me to be a baseball player; everything stopped the day before I turned 10, when he died. I lost interest. Then, for a while, I wanted to be a professional wrestler. A friend coaxed me to do a play, "Bye, Bye Birdie"; I enjoyed it. Acting is self-medicating; like in the lemon-lemonade thing. When I'm someone else, all my problems are gone; even if you play a character that has struggles in life, they're his, not yours. So in that sense, it really helps me in life (to have this escape valve).
Q. Comedy or drama or musical — how do you choose a role or a show ... and given a choice, do you prefer one over the other?
A. When I do community theater, I look for the biggest challenge: What's the most difficult to do? It's musicals — you have to sing, act and dance. It helps you grow; two years ago, I couldn't sing or dance a step, so I'm a little better off now.
Q. Where would you like to see yourself, say, in the next 10 years. Acting? Directing? Writing?
A. I've already started writing a musical play and have different short stories; and I'd like to venture into stand-up comedy, teaming up with Jim Tharp (who's also in "Broadway Bound"). But overall, it's acting, totally, that's most meaningful in my life. Makes me happy. Anything else is worthless unless you're happy and people enjoy watching you.
Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.
