CD Countdown Questions and Answers

Dear Eric
I saw you for the first time in Joseph in Boston. I was overjoyed to read you are finally coming out with your first CD. How was that process for you? What made you decide to finally do it, and dare we hope for possibly more in the future?
Sincerely,
Karine from Chelsea, MA

Hi Karine-
Yes- I have been meaning to get a CD out, but work always prevented me from spending enough time to do so. I hope to do another one in the next couple years for sure. I hope you like this one due out soon.  Thanks for coming to Joseph!

From Nancy, St. Louis, MO
What has been your favorite role to play, and why?
What has been your most challenging role to play and why?

Hi Nancy-
I have several favorite roles and shows but all for different reasons. Some for the challenge factor (Jesus), some for the fun (Joseph), and some for the material (Les Mis, Miss Saigon, Evita). They are all special in different ways!

Dear Eric,
Would you ever consider auditioning for the new Les Mis tour or for Phantom in the future?
Charlie and her two darling daughters in Fallon Nevada.

Charlie and Girls,
I would love to be involved with either of those shows at ANY time. They are wonderful pieces!! Keep your fingers crossed!

From Katherine, Houston, TX
Can u ask him out of all his hats which is his favorite?
Katherine-

I love my B-Day-Detroit-hat!!
:-) Eric




From Fletcher:
What are your fond memories of playing Chris on Broadway with Joan Almedilla and Marius in Les Miserables with Lea Salonga?

Hi Fletcher-
Joan was a beautiful Kim and person too. It was easy to fall in love with her every night.

Lea and I had a great time singing some of the most beautiful musical theater written, and she was a fantastic Eponine and a wonderful person as well. The funny thing about your question is that both Lea and Joan died in my arms every night, and that is my most vivid memory of them that I have... I guess it could be "fond". :-)

The "Saigon" stage door was across the street from David Letterman's theaters stage door, and we shared the street on which he would do his crazy segments. I always looked forward to that.

Dear Eric,
Can you talk about your experiences with the Brindlebeast project? What has been the process so far and why does the process interest you?
(Anonymous)

This has been an artists dream to be able to help create and work with such wonderful people on such an incredible piece of theater. The collaboration continues to grow as does our Brindlbeast "family", thanks to all of you who are supporting it. Our next work session will be in January, and then again in March where we will be presenting it to the VIP's of the industry. Here we go!

Dear Eric,
What ONE word would you use to describe your reaction to the news that Brindlebeast was being developed as a vehicle for you? Let’s go Brindlebeast!!!
Jeannine from NJ

There is a song in the show that my character sings called "Lucky Ones". When you hear it, it pretty much sums it up. Thanks Jeannine! Yes - GO BRINDLEBEAST !!

When you are on the road, what are the 3 things you make sure you bring with you, to remind you of home?
Posted by Anonymous

I don't know if I even bring three things,
but I do usually have my scarf with me that
my Mom knitted.

Questions Asked by Fans

These questions (and Eric's answers) are a result of a poll on the Eric Kunze fansite. Thank you to all the fans who wrote in. We couldn't get to every question, but hope you are happy with the result. And THANK YOU SO MUCH TO OUR DEAR ERIC, who took time out of his busy schedule to accommodate us.

How did you feel about living in NYC at such a young age and so far from family and how did you handle it? (At the age of 20, Eric was visiting New York on a study program from UC Irvine. He auditioned for and was cast as Marius in Les Miserables on Broadway.)

Eric:

I was lucky to have one of my best childhood friends, Gina DeLuca, living there already. I immediately went into rehearsals for Les Mis, so I made friends quickly, particularly with Dann Fink (the father from "Whistle Down the Wind"). He took me under his wing and taught me the ropes of the business, so to speak. So I had a great support system. My family visited very often which was amazing. I would rent a car and go to the Connecticut coast. I liked to stay at beautiful Inns and walk the quaint villages to get some sanity, and pretend it was my California coast.

How did it come about that you got the part in Whistle Down the Wind? Did you hear about it and audition? Did they approach you first? How long before you knew you had the part? So many people have commented that they purchased the CD after the show and were so disappointed because they didn't like it as well as your version.

Well, I was literally the last person they auditioned. They saw hundreds of people over about six months, but I was never in town to go in. They generously flew me to London for three days, put me in a lovely hotel, and I had a private audition for Bill Kenwright ( the producer/director) musical supervisor etc... And they offered it to me there. By the time I returned home, my agents had everything worked out, and rehearsals started in two weeks! Timing is everything!

If you could choose any musical, other than ALW, which would you want to do?

Company or Sunday in the Park With Georg

What other interests, passions do you have off-stage?

I love to cook and play the piano!

What's the first thing you do when you return home from being on the road?

I open all the waiting mail/bills!

Do you have any kind of ritual you do backstage before going on?

No ritual. Just warm up the voice and drink an Emergen-C

How do you stay in such good physical shape?

I do work out about 3-4 times a week.

I've seen you perform in several shows and have wondered about how you prepare and perform your roles. You seem to pay attention to details but are creative at the same time. How do you go about preparing and how long do you take? Do you leave much room for on the spot creativity?

With "all sung" musicals, you are a bit more limited as far as your spontaneity. As an actor you are always listening and reacting truthfully, and that is always going to change in various ways, per moment, and per show.

Do you ever get nervous before a performance and if you do, how do you deal with your nerves?

Nerves are your friend. Use them to your advantage. :-)

Do you prefer roles for which the script already provides a historical background or "backstory" (Superstar, Joseph) or do you like to shape the backstory yourself (i.e. The Man in Whistle).

I think I prefer a character that is not known historically. As with Jesus, you are always being compared to what the person thinks he should look and act like etc.. I enjoyed the anonymity of "The Man" in that respect.

What roles would you decline to play and why?

Haven't been in the position to have to decline a role for whatever reason yet. :-)

What or who keeps you grounded?

My family and friends keep me grounded. I try to run on the beach at least two days a week. That really helps too.

I have read they took you from the tennis team to be in a play in high school. Do you still enjoy playing?

Yes, I was pulled from the tennis courts, which I love to still play.

When did you realize you wanted to make singing your life?

Singing was a fluke. I had no intentions for it, but it was sometime in college when I decided to give it a go!

Is there any role that you have not done yet that you would love to do in the future?

The Phantom is a role I would like to play.

What has been a major highlight for you in your career?

Working with Jerry Lewis in Damn Yankees.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would this be?

I love Italy and South America, the excitement of touring on the road, hotels and airports.

What is your favorite kind of food? Your drink of choice?

Guacamole and margaritas!

Would you ever want to do a long-term run on Broadway?

I would love to do a show in NY again. :-)

Would you ever want to do a movie? If so, would you consider doing a movie that was not a musical?

I dont have a desire at this point to do movies.( I know nothing about that medium, or making them).

Re 'Window Pains'…. I am curious about how that concept came about and how it developed? How did they choose the numbers they will be featuring? I really like that they are offering a different look and even experience to musical theater from a neat point of view…"

Our little skit is shaping up very nicely. I'm proud of it actually. It's unique
and sweet. We wanted to focus on the subtlety of music theater, and the
appreciation that music can bring through simple and real moments and
relationships.

You can submit your questions to me via email: maggiwun@yahoo.com

RETURN TO THE ERIC KUNZE FANSITE: http://www.erickunze.com/