Rusty Ferracane is a man who wears many hats. While he is mainly known as an actor, winning acclaim for his roles in both musicals and plays, he also directs, produces, teaches, has sung with both Symphonies and Opera companies and has even released two CD's.
Starring as Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, which opens tonight at Theater Works in Peoria, Ferracane has performed with many of the major theatre companies in the Valley and also appeared in the American premier of the musical Enter the Guardsman Off-Broadway.
He is a multi AriZoni Award winner, including having just won his last Zoni a few weeks ago for playing Ben in Follies at Theater Works last season. He's appeared as Don Quixote before as well as starred as Georges in La Cage Aux Follies, both at Phoenix Theatre, and played Harold Hill in The Music Man and Emile de Becque in South Pacific, both with the Phoenix Symphony.
Two of his favorite straight play performances include playing Father Flynn in Doubt, and Joe Pitt in Angels in America, both at Actors Theatre. He has directed shows for Phoenix Theatre, Arizona Opera, Theater Works, Fountain Hills Theatre and Mesa Encore Theatre; is a Teaching Artist at Arizona School for the Arts; and was the Producing Artistic Director for The Actors Group. Rusty is clearly a very busy man, but he took a break in his busy La Mancha rehearsal schedule to sit down to answer some questions exclusively for PHX Stages...
Name: Rusty Ferracane
Where you were born and or raised: I was born in Chicago, IL but we moved to Phoenix when I was 1 year old so I think somewhere in the Phoenix Native Handbook I’m considered a “technical” native.
What made you decide to stay in or return to Arizona? I grew up in Scottsdale (back when it was a teeny-tiny town) and vowed to get out of what I considered a cultural black hole as soon as I could. So right before my 21st birthday I moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue my dream of becoming the next male Barbra Streisand. After 7 years of Civic Light Operas, Equity Waiver work, extra work on soap operas and TV commercials, singing in cabarets and generally being discouraged by the traffic, the congestion and the superficiality of the town and it’s inhabitants, I moved to New York. Since Streisand’s fame and fortune eluded me in LA, perhaps New York would work out better. Wrong! Unfortunately, I ended up having to work so hard at making a living I was never able to spend any time pursuing my career. (It wasn’t until after I moved out of the city years later that I actually got a show Off-Broadway) After 3 years of struggling in New York I decided to head back to Phoenix, but with the caveat that I would only stay there long enough to save up enough money and move to Portland or Seattle to build a career in a new city. However, after being gone for 10 years something amazing happened. Phoenix grew up! It was no longer the cultural black hole it was 10 years earlier. There were suddenly job opportunities. I began working more than I ever did in either LA or NY and decided that there was actually a lot about Phoenix that I did like. I started enjoying what the town had to offer, hiking, great restaurants, professional sports teams, night clubs, museums and of course breathtaking horizons and open space. I realized that I liked living here and that it wasn’t just Phoenix that grew up. Perhaps I had grown up too. That was 23 years ago and although live theatre in Phoenix is struggling now, I’m very lucky to work steadily and love being a part of this close-knit theatre community. I have a beautiful home, loving husband, wonderful family and friends and several successful careers here. I really can’t imagine living anywhere else.
What do your parents did/do for a living: Both my mother and my grandmother were singers but never pursued it professionally. I never got to hear either of them sing though. I think it was too painful for either of them to try to sing later in life. My mother never kept up with it so she lost what she had. It’s so true that if you don’t use it you lose it. She couldn’t bear that she had wasted what was apparently a beautiful and powerful instrument. My grandmother unfortunately developed polyps and nodes on her cords and had to stop singing. That was devastating for her. After that she was never able to listen to music without shedding a tear, weeping over her loss. Although I never knew my father, he was apparently a drummer and my grandfather was a musician, composer and music teacher. So music was pretty instinctive for me.
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| Rob Allocca and Rusty Ferracane Man of la Mancha - Theater Works - 2015 photo: Wade Moran |
Family/Children: My mother and grandmother are gone now and although I never knew him, my father died years ago. So I’m an “orphan” now. Fortunately, my husband, Craig Bohmler still has both of his parents, Bob and Dolores. They have taken me in as their own and they are the best parents-in-law a man could hope to have!
Day job/part time job: Acting, singing and directing keep me busy, but I’m also a teacher. This year I started a new teaching job at Arizona School for the Arts. I am one of the acting teachers and I will also be directing their High School Spring Musical in March.
First show you ever saw: First Broadway show I saw was A Chorus Line (back when it had only been open a few years). It was life changing. I was up in the top balcony watching in wonder and weeping most of the way through it.
Moment you knew you wanted to perform for a living: I had to give a presentation in my 8th grade Literature class. I ended up performing a skit and the whole class laughed at the final joke. For a kid who went to the same grade school for eight years and never made a friend, it was an overwhelming feeling to have that kind of acceptance and admiration from my peers. I don’t know if I thought about doing it for a living at that moment, but I do know I realized at that moment that I wanted to feel that kind of love from an audience again!
The one performance you attended that you will never forget: Two that top my list are Jennifer Holiday in Dreamgirls and Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard. I saw Jennifer Holiday do Dreamgirls in LA after she had won the Tony. By this time “I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” was a huge hit. The performance was remarkable of course, but it was just as fun to watch the audience. It was like being at a Baptist Church revival meeting. The audience was so passionate about it and screamed, wailed, hollered, jumped up, waved their hands and talked back to the stage. We were all up on that stage with Jennifer feeling her pain. It was magical. I got to see Glenn Close do Sunset Boulevard in LA also, before she went to Broadway with it. To see a screen legend playing that iconic role was thrilling. The scene where the stagehand recognizes her when she comes back to the studio and he hits her with the spotlight to get a better look at her was breathtaking. As soon as the light hit her, you could see her spirit leap up inside of her and shine through her face. I was in awe of her ability to subtly physicalize these deep emotions. We all understood that character’s complex range of emotions with one look. (I guess, hence, the song!)
First stage kiss: I think it was in High School when I played Prince Dauntless in Once Upon a Mattress. I can’t remember the girl’s name, but I do remember she was pretty, really talented, and a bit on the wild side. She kind of intimidated me a bit.
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| with Christopher Williams Angels in America - Actors Theatre - 2001 |
What has been the most fun or fulfilling aspect of your current/ most recent show? I just started rehearsals for La Mancha yesterday, so although there was nothing particularly fulfilling for that first meeting, check back with me in a few weeks and I’m sure I can add to this list. However, the last show I did was Follies at Theater Works and there were plenty of fulfilling moments in that show. It was such an honor to sing Sondheim’s score and to work with such a talented cast. I was particularly eager to have the chance to sing what I feel is the most beautiful duet written for the musical theatre, “Too Many Mornings”. I remember our first read/sing thru of the show. I was blown away. The huge cast was sitting around at tables spread out across the rehearsal hall and we read thru the script and sang thru the score with just piano. Not all of us knew each other yet, we hadn’t staged anything yet, we hadn’t had many music rehearsals, but it was electric! We could’ve sold tickets to that reading. It was definitely an omen because that show was fantastic and I was so proud to have been a part of it.
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| Rusty Ferracane and the cast of Follies Theater Works - 2015 photo: Alastair Gamble |
Any upcoming or side projects you can talk about? As I may have mentioned once or a thousand times earlier, I’m doing Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha October 9-25 at Theater Works. When that closes I start rehearsals for The Wizard of Oz at Phoenix Theater. I’m playing the Wizard, or as I like to think of it, the Title Role! That runs 11/20 thru 12/27.
What was the first show you performed in and what did you learn from it that you still use today? I made my stage debut at my 3rd Grade Christmas Pageant at Pima Elementary as the first Wise Man. I still remember my line…”Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him!” I was brilliant! The first show I did outside of high school was Pippin for Michael Barnard’s company Arizona Company of Theatrical Artists (ACTA) which was hundreds of years ago. In all seriousness though, that show was such a thrill for me. It’s where I learned what it meant to be a part of a true theatrical ensemble. We were one big, happy, crazy, talented, young, carefree group of artists who loved being together and had “magic to do!”
Leading role you've been dying to play: Probably Georges Seurat in Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park With George. That’s probably my favorite musical. I think the music is perfection. I’ve also been dying to play Stine in City of Angels. I saw that when it opened on Broadway and was so enchanted by it. The score is amazing and the show is so clever. In reality though, I’m probably too old to play these guys now.
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| Rusty Ferracane in Ruthless Phoenix Theatre - 2013 |
Guilty pleasure show you’d love to perform in: Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd. I don’t think I have the chops for it, but it would be so fun to play such a dark, tormented man who gets to sings glorious music! Also something in Book of Mormon. There’s not really a part for me in it, but I just think it would be such fun to do that show!
Pre-show rituals or warm-ups: I don’t really have any rituals outside of warming up my voice. I’ll usually vocalize on my way to the show in my car and then when I get to the theater I often have a cup of Throat Coat with some honey and lemon. If there’s dancing involved in the show, I usually stretch a bit and then run any complicated dance steps (which is usually all of them).
Worst flubbed line/missed cue/onstage mishap: I was doing a matinee of Forbidden Broadway at a theater which will remain nameless and during the opening number of the second act I got the giggles with another one of the actors on stage. It was Mary Tyler Moore at Chuckles the Clown’s funeral kind of giggles. It got to the point where we could barely get the lyrics out. It was really amateurish and we were so embarrassed. We thought we hadn’t done too much damage because it was a very small house. Unfortunately, we learned later that there were several board members from the theatre in the audience for that matinee.
Worst costume ever: Same show. I was doing Forbidden Broadway and had to play a flying monkey from Wicked in one number. All I wore was a dance belt, some leather straps across my chest and monkey wings. To add insult to injury, I had to do the number with Toby Yatso who was wearing the same outfit. He looked like a hot flying monkey…I looked like his creepy old grandpa.
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| Harold Dixon and Rusty Ferracane The Tempest Southwest Shakespeare Company - 2013 photo: Devon Adams |
Your go to audition monologue/song: It’s been a while since I’ve gone to general auditions, but I have several go to songs I would do depending on what that theatre company is looking for. For monologues, I like to find diverse pieces that may not be done very often and always try to keep current. The auditions I go to a lot locally provide sides and music from the show they’re considering you for so I wouldn’t perform pieces from my repertoire book.
Worst audition experience: I worked in the accounting department for Princess Cruises in LA many years ago. However, I really wanted to work on one of their ships as a musical theatre performer. I befriended the people who worked in the Entertainment Department to see if I could get my foot in the door and get a job on board. The best they could do was get me in to the big audition they held annually. I was so excited for the opportunity! I got my audition book together, worked up my songs and was all ready to walk in there and land the audition. Unfortunately, what the Entertainment Department failed to tell me was that this was a dance audition. Dance. Not singers who move well or as in my case, singers who barely move. But I tried to stay professional and stuck it out. I got through the first routine and was clearly the only non-dancer in the group. They announced the names of those who were being cut after the first round and I was ready to pack up my belongings and run out of there as fast as possible. But they didn’t call my name! What!? Impossible! From the dirty looks I got from some of the dancers who were cut, they must have felt the same way. Round after round I wasn’t getting cut. I finally realized that they were keeping me there because they were doing the Entertainment Department a favor. After that dawned on me, I quickly went up to their table and thanked them for the opportunity but told them it was really ok to cut me anytime…preferably sooner than later. Next round I got to go home. I’m sure they were just as happy to see me go as I was to leave!
If you could go back in time and catch any performer or show, what would they/it be? Streisand in Funny Girl, Merman in Gypsy, original Broadway cast of Sweeney Todd.
Famous past stage or screen star(s) you would have loved to have performed with: Jimmy Stewart, Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck, Lawrence Olivier, Paul Newman, Ingrid Bergman.
Actor/actress in the Phoenix area you'd love to perform with: I’ve performed with many of them outside of Childsplay, but I would love the opportunity to work with the ensemble of Childsplay. I have such respect for all of them individually as performers, but it’s magical when they work together. They produce some of the finest work in the Valley. It would be a thrill to create with them. Maybe someday they’ll work out an agreement with Equity so I can audition for them!
Your personal acting idols: There are some really fine actors out there today. I really admire Meryl Streep, William H. Macy, the entire cast of Breaking Bad, Robert Duvall, Robert De Niro, Patrick Stewart…I could go on for days.
Performer you would drop everything to go see: Ms. Streep!
Current/recent show other than one of your own you have been recommending to friends: We’re just headed into the new season so there hasn’t been anything out to recommend. Last show I saw that I felt everyone should see was Childsplay The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. It truly was a miraculous journey!
Favorite play(s): Angels in America both parts I and II
Favorite musical(s): Sunday in the Park With George
Some favorite modern plays/musicals: War Horse, Doubt, Venus in Fur, Good People, Time Stands Still, Rabbit Hole, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Drowsy Chaperone, The Book of Mormon
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| Rusty Ferracane and Robert Harper in La Cage aux Folles Phoenix Theatre - 2013 |
Most listened song/music on your iPod/Phone? My “workout” playlist filled with Lady Gaga, Pink, Beyonce, Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry and Bruno Mars.
First CD/Tape/LP you owned: I think the first album I owned was a Partridge Family LP. I had a big crush on Susan Dey and David Cassidy. I was a confused child.
Last good book you read: It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that wasn’t for research. I’ve started “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” by Doris Kearns Goodwin but I probably won’t finish it for a good year or so!
Must-see TV show(s): American Horror Story, Walking Dead, CBS Sunday Morning, Lots of news and Judge Judy. (Veep and Real Time before we got rid of HBO).
Guilty pleasure binge watching tv show: Right now we’re finishing up season three of Orange is the New Black.
Last good movie you saw: Inside Out. I was in awe of the animation, laughing one minute and wiping away a tear the next. Pixar and Disney get me every time.
Favorite movie: Shawshank Redemption, Lonesome Dove, Casablanca, Dances With Wolves, Tootsie. That’s as close to one as I can get!
Music/book/movie that makes you cry: All of the movies listed above have brought me to tears. Any beautiful music can make me cry. I can get sentimental so it doesn’t take much to bring a tear to my eye.
Favorite restaurant in the Valley: Orange Sky at Talking Stick Resort (awesome private little booths!) and of course Via Luna on Tuesday night when it’s Senior Night!
Favorite cities: Love visiting New York city…as long as I have a ticket back home. Paris is thrilling and really, any town in France is exquisite.
Sports teams you root for: I’m the epitome of a fair weather fan. I was a huge DBacks fan until the team fell apart after the World Series win. I also was a huge Suns fan but they haven’t been winning for years so I haven’t followed them for years. I don’t quite understand football, but it is fun to root for the Cardinals, again, as long as they’re winning!
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| Patti Davis Suarez, Rusty Ferracane and Angelica Howland Doubt, Actors Theatre -2008 |
Special skills: Again, nothing too extraordinary skill-wise. I can do a mean Sammy Davis, Jr. impression. I also do an impression of Auntie Em during the twister.
Career you would want if not a performer: An artist or a dancer. I know dancers are performers, but I would give a vocal cord for the talent to really dance.
Worst non-theatre job you've had: Waiting tables. I never say never, but I’ll NEVER wait tables again. I’m glad there are wonderful servers out there who can handle that kind of stress because I sure can’t!
Best non-theatre job you've had: Being a Reading Intervention Specialist in an elementary school was filled with wonderful rewards.
Three things you can't live without: My husband, my family and friends, and great food and drink. Those things are always the foundation of my happiness.
Words of advice for aspiring performers: Do it for the love of the art, not for the fame. The latter is so elusive and if that’s all you seek, you’ll most likely end up disappointed.
What you love most about theatre in Phoenix: Being a part of a close-knit Arts community. Theatre is going through a tough time in the Valley right now. We’ve lost so many companies, fewer and fewer jobs are to be had, promising young performers flee the city to find work elsewhere, very little media coverage, limited exposure to the general population and limited corporate sponsorship. But through it all, those of us who have stayed here over the years have a tight bond and are proud to call Phoenix our home. We’re the glue that holds the theatre arts together!
What do you think needs to be changed/improved/different about theatre in Phoenix: I’ve always thought the public needs to value theatre more in this community. Just like Education. If the public values it and supports it, it will thrive. I think the public needs to be educated about theatre in the Valley and have more opportunities to read about it, hear about it, and experience it. I’m always perplexed why we can have coverage on the local news about High School Football, yet rarely do you see a story about all the performing arts opportunities going on in the Valley. It’s true that if you build it they will come, but they won’t come if they aren’t educated about it. Time and time again I hear people who have never seen a musical or play in town tell me how shocked they are at the high quality of the performance. “I didn’t even know this theater (or theatre company) was here.” The performing arts impact our society so greatly and I feel the public needs to be aware of what’s out there. I think theatre companies, the media, and we as performers need to evaluate how to educate this huge metropolis that has more than enough people and corporations to sustain multiple professional companies.
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| Joshua Vern, Brandi Bigley, Rusty Ferracane and Beth Anne Johnson Follies - Theater Works 2015 Photo: Alastair Gamble |
1. What is your favorite word? Integrity.
2. What is your least favorite word? can’t
3. What turns you on? intelligence, kindness and a sense of humor. (and of course certain physical qualities that I won’t get into)
4. What turns you off? gossip
5. What sound do you love? children laughing
6. What sound do you hate? smoke detector chirps when the batteries need changing
7. What is your favorite curse word? toss up between fuck and shit
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? dancer or artist
9. What profession would you not like to do? anything involving lots of math
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Get back down there and try it again.
Information on Rusty's two CD’s and performance schedule are available on his website at www.RustyFerracane.com
For information on Man of La Mancha, that opens tonight at Theater Works and runs through October 25th, CLICK HERE
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