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| Nathaniel Hackmann |
Arizona native Nathaniel Hackmann is back in town this week in the national tour of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at ASU Gammage, marking the third time he's graced the Gammage stage in a big budget national tour.
Hackmann was born in Scottsdale and grew up in the Phoenix area and attended Northern Arizona University before transferring to Central Michigan University. After school, he appeared in numerous regional theatre productions, performed in several national tours, including two that came through Gammage, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in 2010 and Les Misérables in 2012, and he then took that show on to Broadway where he played numerous ensemble roles and also understudied both Jean Valjean and Javert.
Hackmann was also in London last August where he stared as Gabey in On The Town with the London Symphony at the BBC Proms before he began performances last September in this tour, which is based on the beloved Roald Dahl children's novel.
In between performances, Hackmann sat down to answer some questions about the show, his past, and what it's like performing on the Gammage stage.
The musical Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is based on Roald Dahl's incredibly popular children's book of the same name, but for someone who hasn't read the book, seen the stage version, or either of the film adaptations, what would you tell them it's about?
"It’s a morality tale of the dangers of gluttony and the virtues of creativity framed on a young boy’s journey to self-discovery and opportunity. Mix in magic and music and fantastical settings and characters, and you’ll see that everyone ends up with their just desserts."
I have to imagine you read the book or at least saw the Gene Wilder film when you were growing up. What are some of your earliest memories or recollections of the book or film?
"I grew up with the book and the film. All of Roald Dahl’s books were part of my childhood. In fact when I was in children’s theater I was an Oompah Loompa myself once!"
Tell us a little about the character you play in the show, Mr. Salt?
"He is a larger-than-life caricature of a Russian Oligarch and billionaire. In the giant fur coat and jet black wig with the white stripe I feel like the love child of the Count from Sesame Street and Pepe LePew from looney tunes."
What are some of the main themes or messages in Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
"Self-belief is key to achieving your dreams. Self-indulgence is dangerous and often destructive."
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| Nathaniel Hackmann, far right, with Noah Weisberg, center, as Willy Wonka and the national tour cast photo by Joan Marcus |
"I love 'Pure Imagination.' It is the true embodiment of the child-like wonder that is central to this play."
Roald Dahl is one of the most popular writers of children's books. Why do you think his stories, including this one, have such a connection to children of all ages?
"All of his stories are about children as central characters overcoming unimaginable odds. And the fantastical characters and surroundings are so vivid and intoxicating you can’t help but see them in your mind’s eye."
Your father, Mark Hackmann, is also an actor who has appeared in numerous plays and musicals in the Valley. Are there are words of wisdom he gave you when you were younger about performing that have stuck with you over the years?
"Ha! He has often said he doesn’t envy my decision to make this my profession. He is a Software Engineer and very happy! His words of wisdom inform multiple decisions I make daily. But I think it is his penchant for analytical thinking that has helped most in the forming of a character."
I have to imagine coming back to Phoenix, and being back on the Gammage stage again, is a pretty exciting thing, kind of like the feelings Charlie experiences when getting the chance to see inside Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. What kinds of emotions do you think you'll experience when you take the Gammage stage?
"The building itself is so familiar to me from my childhood. I have spent more time backstage and in the halls than the stage itself, so it’s probably that which holds the most nostalgia. The smell is unlike any other building for me."
What do you hope audiences will take away from this production?
"Don’t stop imagining and reaching for your dreams!"
CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs June 11-June 16
What a great singer. Maria from "Paint your wagon " wad just fantastic. Thanks Ray
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