Jason Alexander has high regards for Broadway
Actor, director known for `Seinfeld' performing in Bankhead fundraiser
audience?
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The truth is you can't be absolutely certain Emmy and Tony Awardwinning ever. There are time actor, singer and honored signs that help director Jason Alexander you monitor the audience's is a showbiz icon best experience, but even known, of course, for playing with these clues, you often the beloved and hilarious don't really know. I've character George done performances where Costanza on the famed sitcom it felt like I was on fire, “Seinfeld,” but what but at the end, the overall many might not know is applause was courteous. that he is a Broadway buff, Conversely, I've done through and through. performances where I just
Alexander began acting wasn't connecting … but as a young teenager, and then the audience erupts made his Broadway debut at at the end and you just the age of 21 performing in wonder, “Where did that the debut production of the come from?” But normally, Stephen Sondheim/George you can read an audience Furth musical “Merrily We before you even go on. You Roll Along.” His most recent listen to the `buzz.' Generally, achievement, however, if you perform live, came on July 24 when he you develop a sixth sense made his Broadway directing for it. debut with Sandy Rustin's `The Cottage.” You recently made
Theater is where Alexander your Broadway directing really got his start, and debut with `The he's not forgotten his roots. Cottage.' What was that The passion for Broadway like for you? runs in his blood, and on
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Saturday he will headline When I was a kid, a fundraising gala for the Broadway was an ultimate Bankhead Theater in Livermore, for me. It was THE performing a whimsical destination. And I was salute to Broadway musicals. fairly sure it would take decades of hard work to
In an interview conducted get there. But I made my by email, Alexander Broadway acting debut talked to us about his experience when I was 21 years old, as an actor and director, so I have learned to dream his continued appreciation big without expectation. for “Seinfeld,” and Dream like it can happen, why he loves Broadway so but don't descend into despair much. if it doesn't. My business is 99 percent “No,” so I temper dreams and expectations with that. I did feel that I was prepared for Broadway. I've been directing for 30 years in every medium, and you don't direct differently just because it's Broadway. It's
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You once stated, “Just because the actor is having an emotional experience, doesn't mean the audience is.” When you're up on the stage performing live, how do you know when you've hooked the
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the same job whether its the Winter Garden Theater or a 99 seat Equity Waiver production. Yes, you feel the pressure of Broadway. It's big money and big expectations. You don't want to mess it up. But like every job — you prepare with everything you know to do. And then you begin, one step at a time.
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Tell us a bit about the difference in your experience between performing and directing.
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Both actors and directors enjoy the act of discovery on a project, but actors generally are making discoveries through the lens of their character's point of view. You are making your choices based on what the script tells you about your character and what you are tasked to do. You
have little input or collaboration on anything else. However, the director is making discoveries in every aspect. You refine the intentions of the piece overall, and then you move your actors through the discovery process together. You try to see where they are connecting and where they are lost. You also learn from all these collaborators. If you're lucky, they challenge you right back and they come up with ideas and possibilities you never considered or imagined, and you have the honor of saying “yes” or “no” or “maybe” or building on their discovery.
I do love acting. I love being part of the acting company and I miss it when I'm directing. But the added challenges and opportunities that I get when I'm directing, where I can bring the sum of my
experience and understanding to bear, that's been ringing my bell and more than most of the acting opportunities I've been offered. Not always, but often.
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You're someone who has kind of had to fight against the comedy/sitcom type-cast or against people pushing What is it about the to fit you in this one box. Broadway musical Do you have a certain resentfulness that you love? or defensiveness
A around these assumptions? First of all, it runs every genre from classical to rap. But it is the combination of music and storytelling that gets me. To elevate a moment in a story or a character's journey by putting the experience into glorious music? There's nothing better. Some of the most brilliant songwriting in the world was created solely for musical theater. So, I just celebrate it.
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I don't think I'm resentful or defensive. I sometimes am saddened because I see myself as viable for a particular role and I'm excited to show the creators what I see in it, but often I don't get that chance because they have assumed one of two things — either that I'm not capable of portraying
what they see or they fear that the audience will not accept me because I'm so identified by another role. But I could never be resentful or defensive about the perception of me as George Costanza. I am well aware that no one promised me any kind of success when I decided to be an actor. Most wonderful actors are never afforded the opportunities I've been lucky enough to have had. My entire career has been a blessing and a gift, `Seinfeld' most of all. It changed my life forever and only for the good. It opened doors. And most importantly, that show and that role have touched more people than I could ever imagine. No actor can hope for more than that.