YOUR HUMBLE SERVANT IN THE THEATRE, CHICAGO-TRAINED VETERAN DARRYL MAXIMILIAN ROBINSON, RECALLS A 1984 SUMMER STOCK REVIVAL OF RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S "THE KING AND I"!
"Robinson, obviously aware past performers have played the role with angular movements, took a more flowing approach to the King, making the role his own. He rants and raves as a spoiled-child ruler, revealing the King's insecurities. His songs, when interpreted, are a delight to hear as they are full of energy and emotion." -- William Bartolini, Guest Reviewer, The Mail-Journal of Syracuse, Indiana, July 18, 1984.
To preface, your humble servant in The Theatre, Darryl Maximilian Robinson, would not have been fully-prepared to take on the challenge of playing one of the truly great stage ( and screen ) roles in American Musical Theatre History without his early 1976 stage musical experiences as a young performer ( A Guest Student Actor ) of playing Motel Kamzoil in "Fiddler On The Roof" and Professor Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady" under the skilled and inspired guidance of Director Sister Mary Henry Cornille as part of fully-mounted shows presented by The Drama Dept. Of The Josephinum High School for Girls located in The Wicker Park neighborhood on the northside of The Windy City.
Furthermore, during the mid-to-late 1970s, without even more polished musical theatre performance preparation from caring, committed and professional performing arts educators, J. J. Stamm, Nick Jason, Gerald H. Bailey, John C. Cina, Lena McLin, Geraldine Johnson, Errol Perlman, Irving M. Stein, among others on the staff of The Windy City's multiracial youth performance group, The Chicagoland High School Theatrical Troupe, and playing such roles as: Ambrose Kemper in "Hello, Dolly"; The Professor in "South Pacific" ( both presented at Chicago's 900-seat, Athenaeum Theatre); Nathan Detroit in "Guys And Dolls"; Duane Fox in "Applause" ( both presented at The Windy City's 750-seat, Whitney M. Young Magnet High School Performing Arts Center ); Henry Albertson in "The Fantasticks", Michael in "I Do, I Do", Bud Frump in "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" and Mr. Applegate in "Damn Yankees" ( all four presented at the 200-seat, Clyde B. Reed Auditorium of Northwest Federal Savings in The Portage Park neighborhood of Chicago ); the serious challenge required of playing leading roles in professional, regional summer stock would not have been met.
That said, here's a summer stock theatre stage recollection.
When a Theatre Person, whether they proclaim themselves as an actor or actress, or in this dramatically 2020s new and provocative day and age, unashamedly and proudly declare themselves something in-between, looks back over the scope of their stage career ( and in this instance someone who who has appeared in more than 250 stage productions and literary arts presentations during the course of 50 years ), certain theatrical productions and performances stand out more in memory than most.
Such is the case for this happy and proud Chicago Theate-trained old stage actor with the 1984 Enchanted Hills Playhouse of Syracuse, Indiana revival production of Rodgers' and Hammerstein's "The King and I", in which I had the great joy or playing The King of Siam opposite the truly gifted and talented and opera-trained Ms. Elizabeth Lee Taylor as Mrs. Anna.
Your humble servant in The Theatre, Darryl Maximilian Robinson, was already blessed to have won the 1981 Fort Wayne News-Sentinel Reviewer's Recognition Award for Outstanding Thespian of the Season for his debut year of performances at EHP ( particularly for his praised portrayal of Fagin in Lionel Bart's classic musical "Oliver!" ), and to also have the opportunity of playing The King ( opposite the skilled and wonderful Chicago DePaul University Vocal Performance Graduate Ms. Elizabeth Lee Taylor as Mrs. Anna ) in this particular 1984 Enchanted Hills Playhouse of Syracuse, Indiana revival of Rodgers' and Hammerstein's great classic musical ( promoted and mounted expertly by the late and highly-talented EHP Producing Director Ms. Jill Stover and directed professionally and skillfully by then EHP Artistic Director Dr Jeffrey P. Koep ) , without question, was and is, one of the finest moments of this stage performer's career.
LIfelong Musical Theater Performers are both nostalgic and sentimental.
That's where all the unexpected eruptions of Show Tunes come from ...even in 2023.
The Professional Summer Stock Theatre Season is currently underway.
Prepare, young actors, Prepare.
Note: Darryl Maximilian Robinson ( The Founder of The Excaliber Shakespeare Company of Chicago and The Excaliber Shakespeare Company Los Angeles Archival Project ) was last seen by Windy City theatregoers in the marvelous dual roles of The Chairman Mr. William Cartwright and Mayor Thomas Sapsea in skilled Director / Musical Director Robert-Eric West's 2018 Saint Sebastian Players Chicago revival of Rupert Holmes' Tony Award-winning Best Musical Whodunit The Mystery of Edwin Drood for which Mr. Robinson earned critical praise and a 2019 BroadwayWorld Chicago Award nomination for Best Performer In A Musical or Revue ( Resident Non-Equity ). Most recently, Darryl Maximilian Robinson was named a winner of a 2022 Making The World Happening Award for his numerous online theatre-related offerings at Allevents.in.
Comments
Post a Comment