Montreal audiences will get an authentic taste of Broadway when veteran actor Andrew Samonsky co-stars in the touring production of the smash-hit musical Come From Away at Place des Arts.
Samonsky has appeared on Broadway as Neville Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Kenneth Ormisten in Scandalous, and Lt. Cable in the Tony award-winning revival of South Pacific, and his TV and film credits include Madame Secretary, Elementary and Guiding Light. The popular singing actor has also been a vocal soloist with symphonies across America, including the New York Philharmonic and Boston Pops.
Curtains Up caught up with Samonsky for a brief Q&A to preview the acclaimed North American touring production of Come From Away which tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded airline passengers and the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, that welcomed them during 9/11.
Come From Away runs at Salle Wilfred-Pelletier at Place des Arts for eight performances, from November 26 to December 1.
Curtains Up: Where were you when you found out about 9/11?
Andrew Samonsky: It’s something we (the cast) went around the room during our first rehearsals, when we did table work. Our director Christopher Ashley asked us all that question and we shared that moment. We know that all audience members bring that seared memory with them as well. As for myself, I was in grad school at UC Irvine at the time and I woke up to a voicemail of my father telling me to turn on the news. And couple of buddies from school and I sat in front of the television for the rest of the day. Weird thing for me was it was my last year in grad school and I knew I was going to move to New York.
All these years later, how do you feel about performing in Come From Away?
I went and saw the show on Broadway before I was even involved with it and the whole experience was completely overwhelming. I laughed, I cried. It is a reminder of the goodness of humanity, of our shared humanity, of the connection we have to each other. I think also during these times, we are thirsty for stories of kindness and generosity. So I am grateful to be in this show. I am glad we are touring it so people who can’t go to New York can still see it. It’s an important show.
You also portrayed Beauchamp Day in another musical, Tales of the City, based on Armistead Maupin’s iconic gay novel.
I wasn’t familiar with the books before the show, and then to (world premiere) perform this show in San Francisco, I got a real quick study of everything. I did a ton walking in San Francisco, to all the places mentioned in the books. San Franciscans know these stories and these characters, so to bring them to life onstage was really cool. I’ve been part of a few special shows in my career, Come From Away and Tales of the City are two of them.
Audiences come in with big expectations for shows like Come From Away and Tales of the City. How do you deal with the pressure?
You know, I don’t really feel personal pressure because it’s really a group effort. I feel like the story is the star of the show. Though I do feel responsibility to do my job well.
What is the difference between Broadway and touring productions?
Do I prefer one or the other? It’s everyone’s dream to perform on Broadway. Whenever you’re in a Broadway show, you have a little bit of that magic that you bring to the stage.
But one of my passions is travelling, so I also enjoy touring productions. And I’ve never been to Montreal so I am looking forward to exploring your city.
You have already performed Come From Away in several Canadian cities. Is the audience reaction in Canada different than in America?
It’s hard to describe, but it feels like Canadians celebrating Canadians. Canadians also think of 9/11 as a terrible tragedy, but it was America’s tragedy in a way. And lest face it, some of the laughs play better in Canada. I mean, all you got to mention is Tim Horton’s! In Miami, they have no idea what Tim Horton’s is. One of my favourite lines I say at the top of show, I’m looking out the window as our plane is being diverted to Newfoundland, and I say, “All I can see are trees and rocks and nothing.” In America, that’s like a spooky line. But in Canada audiences always laugh!
You taught acting at the Texas State College of Fine Arts and Communication Department of Theatre and Dance. Do you still teach?
My friend is a professor there and I just came in to teach a master class, that’s all. I’ll do master classes from time to time.
What do you try to impress most upon your students about the world of acting and the life of an actor?
I feel very lucky because I know a lot of talented people who haven’t gotten as much work as me for whatever reasons. What I think I like to impart – and certainly with Come From Away – is embrace your humanity. Be a human being first and a performer second, third, or tenth. The more interesting a person you are, the more interesting an actor you are going to be.
Come From Away runs at Salle Wilfred-Pelletier at Place des Arts for eight performances, November 26 to December 1, iclusing 2 pm matinees on November 30 and December 1. For tickets, visit placedesarts.com.
All photos courtesy evenko
