I saw Jim Brochu in Zero Hour Off-Broadway, and he is terrific. I heartily recommend this show!
CHARACTER MAN
starring Jim Brochu presented by American Theater Group
WHEN: Sept. 25-28 @ 8:00 PM, Sept. 29 @ 2:00 PM, Oct. 3-5 @ 8:00 PM, Oct. 6 @ 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
WHERE: UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage for the Performing Arts, 360 Hamilton St., Rahway NJ 07065
TICKETS: $30-35; $20 seniors/students. Purchase online at www.ucpac.org, call (732) 499-8226, or visit UCPAC box office, 1601 Irving St., Rahway NJ
GROUP SALES: Ray Mikell at (908) 472-4127
INFO: www.hamiltonstagenj.com
Character Man is a stirring salute to musical theatre’s song-and-dance pioneers. Character Man features Drama Desk award winner Jim Brochu portraying some of the greatest character actors ever to grace the stages of American musical theatre, most of them with strong roots in Jewish and Yiddish theatre.
Fresh from his success with last year’s Hamilton Stage turn as Zero Mostel in Zero Hour, Brochu wrote Character Man to preserve the legends of the Broadway actors who mentored his talent when he first entered the theatre profession.
Character Man delivers personal anecdotes and songs drawn from a plethora of stalwart Jewish actors, including David Burns, Jack Gilford, Jack Klugman, Lou Jacobi, Phil Silvers and Zero Mostel.
“I still remember the character men who changed my life,” says Brochu. “I think about them constantly and miss them just as much. I simply do not want them to be forgotten.”
Filled with favorite tunes from shows like Wicked, Chicago, Music Man, Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, Hello Dolly and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Brochu sprinkles Character Man with juicy backstage lore and a closeup look at the great faces of Broadway from one who knew them.
None of a Jewish impression actors were Orthodox, notes Brochu. “They could not be, as they had to work on Friday nights and Saturdays. However, they were dearly loved by audiences for the Jewish characters they created on stage.”
** Character Man is the season’s first offering from American Theater Group, who follow up with Bubble Boy: The Musical premiering at Hamilton Stage Nov. 6-24.
Written by the Hollywood scriptwriting team of Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio (creators of Despicable Me, The Lorax), Bubble Boy: The Musical is a romantic comedy with a contemporary edge. # # #
** To arrange a group sales purchase to CHARACTER MAN or any Hamilton Stage event, please contact Ray Mikell at (908) 472-4127.
** For more information about American Theater Group 2013-14 shows at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage, visit www.hamiltonstagenj.com.
