WHICH SCHOOL YEARS WERE THE WORST FOR YOU? ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, HIGH SCHOOL? WHY?
The toughest for me was the sophomore year in high school. I'd moved across the country after being with the same group of friends since first grade. New friends were made, fortunately, and old friends stayed in touch. But academically it was a downshift. With disagreements over curricula I repeated several courses.
DID YOU HAVE A BULLY GROWING UP? IF SO HOW DID YOU HANDLE THEM?
Nothing long-term, only a few incidents that evaporated quickly with help from parents, classmates, and teachers.
DID YOU EVER TRY RESOLVING YOUR ISSUES WITH BULLYING THROUGH THE POWER OF SONG? THAT SEEMS TO WORK IN MOST MUSICALS.
Crooning to the fellow who'd just socked me in the mouth didn't happen at an after-school fight -- a song or two from 'West Side Story' might've fit the bill.
WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT GOAL YOU HAD GROWING UP?
Making music turned out to be the goal, though at the time I didn't realize it. Music created opportunities that made for more music and friends.
WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE WORKING ON "FATTY FATTY NO FRIENDS?"
Dropping in mid-run has been a great pleasure: a welcoming cast, band, and company, all marvelously talented and committed.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
I'm having flashbacks to my first tiny (literally and figuratively) role: King of the Flying Monkeys in an elementary school 'Wizard of Oz.'
FATTY FATTY NO FRIENDS IS THE STORY OF A KID.
THE SKINNY KIDS HATED HIM, NO MATTER WHAT HE DID.
THEY TAUNTED HIM UNTIL HE TOOK REVENGE WITHOUT AMENDS.
IT WAS A TASTY LESSON FOR FATTY FATTY NO FRIENDS.
Ironically enough I did have a bully when I was about four or five. Her name was Astor and she was twice my size. She kept saying she would put me in the chokie if I didn't do things for her.