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| Wes Williams (center) and the cast of the national tour of An Officer and a Gentleman photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade |
by Gil Benbrook
Based on the popular 1982 film of the same name, the stage adaptation of An Officer and a Gentleman tells the story of a young US Navy Aviation Officer Candidate named Zack Mayo, who is beginning his training at Aviation Officer Candidate School. The smart, but cocky, Zack butts heads with his tough training sergeant while also finding love with a local girl named Paula.
The film, which starred Richard Gere, Louis Gossett Jr and Debra Winger, was a huge box office hit, and was also nominated for six Academy Awards. The stage adaptation follows the film plot and also includes many of the pop songs that were featured in the film, as well as others from that period, including "Higher Love," "Love is a Battlefield," "Lost In Your Eyes," "Right Here Waiting," "Renegade," and the film's Oscar winning song, "Up Where We Belong."
Wes Williams received his BFA in Musical Theatre from Coastal Carolina University and appeared in numerous shows there and also in regional theaters and he is making his national tour debut as Zack in this production.
Williams sat down in between his busy traveling schedule for this tour to answer some questions about the show and his character.
An Officer and a Gentleman is based on the 1982 Oscar-winning film, but for someone who isn’t aware of the film or this musical adaptation, what would you tell them it’s about?
Wes Williams: "It covers a group of Candidates as they attempt to become naval officers by graduating OCS (Officer candidate school). The twelve weeks are grueling, and as training intensifies it leads to tragedy. Along with training, two candidates (Zack and his friend Sid) encounter romance with two local factory workers, Paula and Lynette."
How familiar with the film were you before you auditioned?
"I knew it was iconic but hadn’t seen it! I waited until after I was cast to watch it because I didn’t want to consciously or subconsciously just try to imitate what Richard Gere did in my audition."
What can you tell us about your character, Zack Mayo?
"Zack is incredibly smart and a very gifted athlete, so on paper he’s the perfect Officer candidate. However, he has a troubled past that has caused him to hold a very 'only-me' mentality, so he has a lot to learn as far as being a team player: with his fellow Officer candidates but also in his relationship with Paula."
Any trepidation taking on a role made famous by someone as well-known as Richard Gere?
"For all the trepidation there is just as much excitement to take on something of this scale. This role has pushed me to my limits in the absolute best way. As an actor, you dream about this kind of experience."
What kind of research did you do to prepare for the role?
"Luckily, a lot of the research was done for me by our fantastic creative team. Our director and choreographer (Dick Scanlan and Patti Wilcox) actually visited OCS to interview candidates and observe what training is like for them. So much work was done to keep the story as authentic as possible."
What is your favorite moment in the show and why is it your favorite?
"For me personally, I really enjoy the Act 1 Closer: 'Renegade.' When I was auditioning for the role, I remember wanting to get called back SO badly just so I could get the chance to sing 'Renegade'! I grew up listening to Styx, and it’s such a high-energy part of our show."
The movie is now 40 years old. Why do you think the story of this show is still relevant today?
"A lot of the show’s themes are timeless (overcoming adversity, love), however I think the team has done a great job of updating the story to bring it into 2022. One example: the women in the show are no longer just aspects of Zack & Sid’s journey, they’re their own people with their own dreams, goals, fears."
You got your BFA in Musical Theatre at Coastal Carolina University and also appeared in shows in regional theatres, but this is your time appearing in a national tour. What is like taking this show city to city and being back on stage after what COVID closed so many theatre productions down two years ago?
"Because of the intensity of both our tour schedule and the show itself, I am the most exhausted I have ever been! With that, I’m also the most fulfilled I’ve ever been. When COVID hit, I had just started to pick up momentum as an actor, so the pandemic was a difficult time. Then going to what is easily the biggest professional opportunity of my life to date, was absolutely wild."
What do you hope audiences will take away from seeing An Officer and a Gentleman at the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix?
"The biggest lesson for Zack and one that I hope everyone takes away, is that nobody does it alone."
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