Zeus the rat has role of lifetime
He may be just 17 inches long, but the actor Zeus — no last name — wields a big voice in the Tony-winning play “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime,” playing now in the Los Angeles area.
The stage adaptation of Mark Haddon’s 2003 novel centers on a teenager, Christopher Boone, whose unnamed condition has the hallmarks of Asperger’s syndrome. Christopher’s closest confidant is a whiteand-gray-hooded dumbo fancy rat named Toby the Rat, played by Zeus in his theatrical debut.
Speaking through animal wrangler Cara Kilduff, Zeus, age 2 (almost), opened up for this edited conversation about his career, his diet and his favorite pastime, sleeping.
A: My career choice is odd to the rest of my family members, but I’ve always thought big. So, no, I do not come from an acting family. My biggest influences are the great rat actors of the past — think of Remy in “Ratatouille” and Fievel Mousekewitz (in “An American Tail”). I admit he’s a mouse — but still a rodent. An older Marlon Brando is also an influence.
A: Hmm, that’s an excellent question. How do I answer? Those pop stars bring happiness and joy easily, whereas my role is more serious and somber. As far as being part of a cadre of rodent ambassadors, I am happy to join those ranks. We are misunderstood creatures, historically speaking.
A: The most difficult part of my job is being sweated upon by one of the young men playing Christopher. (Heavy sigh.) I never signed off on being bathed in the sweat of a male human. My handler kindly towels me off and gives me a fresh robe once I’m back in the comfort of my dressing room. My preparation is a combination of Method and Meisner technique. Also, I eat a lot.
A: I had an understudy when my brother Jinkies was alive. He sadly passed away from a brief and sudden illness. But he hated acting and was happy to let me work eight shows a week. I dedicate each show to his memory. My new brother, Avi, is young and impulsive, so I’m not sure if he will learn my track. Our associate director, Benjamin Klein, says the role is mine for as long as I wish.