Matthews-Mint Hill - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

Arts & EntertainmentOn hisknees“Shrek” actor bringsaudience to their feetby Alison Wooalison@matthewsminthillweekly.comIn anticipation of “Shrek” – the muchbeloved Hollywood movie turned Broadwaymusical – coming to the QueenCity next week, I’ve been watching thewhole series of movies. None was assweet as the first one that introducedus to Shrek himself, Donkey, PrincessFiona and of course the dastardly yetlovable Lord Farquaad.Bringing the movie to life and to thestage takes extraordinary imaginationand the creative abilities of a Tonyawardwinning team and actors who gothe extra mile. None take that challengeas seriously as actor David Vaughn. Tobring Lord Farquaad to life means the6-foot-1 actor has to walk, sing anddance on his knees for the entire performance.Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly hadthe chance to talk with Vaughn duringscheduled performances about thechallenges and brilliance of bringingthe audience of young and old to theirfeet eight times a week.Aid(continued from page 18)relieffrom stress, tensionand muscle painEvery 11th massage is free!*Myofascial release is a deep stretching of the muscles and has shown to be effectivein relieving the pain associated with fibromyalgiaDavid Martin, NC LMBT License #6482Weekday, Weekend & Evening Appts.Located in Matthews, just minutes from the ArboretumPhone: (828) 545-5577 ~ Email: dmartin69_1@hotmail.com$10 off your first massagePage 20 • June 10-16, 2011 • Matthews-Mint Hill WeeklyHow did you get your start in acting?“I did a lot of little classes here andthere but it wasn’t until high school,when my friends were in the tech side,when I joined with them and fell in lovewith it then. When I turned 15, my parentstook me to see ‘The Who’s Tommy.’It was the first theater show where therewasn’t classical Broadway music. It wasa rock ballad. So for the first time I gotreally excited and it was so cool.”What was your first experience withthe “Shrek” movies?“I had seen the movie but didn’t reallyremember much of it, but when I gotthe job I watched it again. During theBroadway run, one of our understudiesleft but I had a chance to go on so Iended up getting the role full time.”What’s been the process of bringingthe movie to life on the stage?“I think it’s the perfect show. It’s brightand colorful. Much like the movie,there are so many jokes that are for theadults and are firmly tongue-in-cheek,which of course is why the movie is sopopular. This is a great show becausemany of these kids who come to see theshow are going to not see a cheesy kids’show but one that has a score createdby people who are Tony and Pulitzeraward nominees. Their first foray intheater is from higher caliber theater,not just a movie on stage.“The reason why movie musicals areso popular right now is because producersare losing the Broadway audiences.They needed to get people inwho wouldn’t see a show. So to have amusical set to the music of Abba or the80s is an easier pitch than a show suchas ‘Avenue Q,’ which no one has seenbefore.”How does your take on Lord Farquaaddiffer from John Lithgow’smovie version?“The movie plays him very dark, verystory book evil. We take a more brattyinterpretation and project a child-likenastier version. I like to say he’s a littleReferralsprovidedupon requestPhoto courtesy of Blumenthal Performing Arts Center“Shrek – The Musical” visits the Queen City June 14 to 19 at the Blumenthal Performing ArtsCenter.less naturally evil and more bratty andspoiled. How often does an actor get toplay the villain that also plays the comicrelief? It’s very rare.”The physical demands of playingthis role literally on your knees seemunbearable. How do you do it?“It’s obviously very difficult and I gotto see Christopher Sieber, who originatedthe role on Broadway do it when Iwas his understudy. From him I learnedhow to do it healthily. I also get physicaltherapy twice a week.“Throughout the show, I’m riggedwith series of kneepads so that whenI do a dance break with the cast,I’m really doing the same choreography.It took me four weeks inrehearsal to get through the pain andhard stuff but now it’s totally secondnature.”Felicia van Bork, Project Art Aid sponsoreda workshop for cancer survivors who wereable to contribute canvases to the mosaic.“Working with survivors was really exciting,seeing them translate their deep pas-Massageprice includes gratuityby DavidExperienced in Swedish, deep tissue and myofascial release* techniquesEnjoy the benefits of professional massage in a clean, safe environmentCustomized massage to meet your needssion for life into art was amazing,” van Borksaid.As for Project Art Aid, Ben and Rosaliehave grand plans for the nonprofit, andhave already started brainstorming on whattheir next outreach will be.“We already have (our next project inmind)” Rosalie said, adding that the organizationhopes to take their plans national.“As long as we can keep true to our mission… that is really what we are all about,”said . qWant to go?The Project Art Aid Goes Pink Art Exhibitionwill be held Friday, June 17 from 6Family Dentistry• No hidden fees or monthly premiums• Only pay for services you need• Adults and Children receive excellent careYOU can AFFORDDavid Yu, DDS, PLLC (704) 847-7730What’s been the most surprisingpart of doing the national tour?“I think the response we get themost is ‘I did not want to see this showbecause I thought it would be just themovie on stage. But we had one of thegreatest times ever.’ The show is somuch more. It is true to the originalbook and you meet Shrek and Fionawhen they were 7.“From the stage, the energy of theaudiences enjoying this show is amazing.There are mature couples and teenagersand kids and everyone is laughingat different things. The truth is thatwe have some of the best writers andcomposers and it’s a Broadway musical.Everyone will have a blast.” q“Shrek – The Musical” will be at the BlumenthalPerforming Arts Center from June14 to 19. Tickets and more information areavailable at www.blumenthalarts.org.to 8 p.m. at The Atrium at 2 Wachovia inUptown Charlotte. Bidding for all artworkwill begin at $50. Tickets to the event are$15 and can be purchased online at www.projectartaid.com. Photos of all artworkavailable for purchase at the exhibition canbe seen before the show on Project Art Aid’sWeb site, www.projectartaid.com.• No limitations on benefits• No hassles with an insurance company.2101 Sardis Rd. N - Suite105 - Charlotte, NC 28227K. Michael Rhyne, DDSwww.matthewsminthillweekly.com