NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Day in the Life of Erich Bergen, Star of New Musical HeroErich Bergen, who starred in the Marriott Theatre's world-premiere staging of the new musical Hero, offers snapshots of a recent day in and around the Chicago-area venue.
By
Matthew Blank
August 14, 2012
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Day in the Life of Erich Bergen, Star of New Musical Hero
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Day in the Life of Erich Bergen, Star of New Musical Hero
Erich Bergen, who starred in the Marriott Theatre's world-premiere staging of the new musical Hero, offers snapshots of a recent day in and around the Chicago-area venue. Bergen has since departed the production (which runs through Aug. 19) to begin rehearsals as Billy Crocker in the upcoming Anything Goes tour. Read the Playbill.com story.
17 PHOTOS
Each morning, I wake up bright and early (around 1 PM), and greet each day with joy, love, and happiness.
Erich Bergen
Then I go to the gym in a desperate attempt to look like Broadway's own Nick Adams.
Erich Bergen
Today, my beautiful mother is in town from NYC and we are seeing the sights that Chicago has to offer, starting with Millennium Park!
Erich Bergen
Obligitory Bean Picture.
Erich Bergen
Next we head to the Art Institute where we check out the Lichtenstein exhibit.
Also at the Art Institute is an original copy of the poster for the Broadway show Sunday in the Park With George. It seemed a little large for a Broadway show poster, but hey, maybe that's how they did it back then.
Erich Bergen
Our family portrait hanging in the Art Institute. I'm honored.
Erich Bergen
For lunch today, we visit the local eatery, Panera Bread. I always like supporting the Mom & Pop shops.
Erich Bergen
When I get to the theatre for the show that night, I go thru my daily note session for the other actors. I think they appreciate that I pay as much attention to their performance as I do my own.
Erich Bergen
First, I work with some of the guys. It's bonding time for us.
Erich Bergen
Then I work with the girls. I think they find it sexy.
Erich Bergen
After we are done with notes, I do my "Visiting Actors Chores," which is an Equity rule for actors who are working in Chicago from out of state. I knew nothing about this rule, but my fellow castmates gave me the full rundown. Thank god! I wouldn't want t
Erich Bergen
Some of the work isn't glamarous, but somebody's gotta do it.
Erich Bergen
Here I am brushing Alex Goodrich's teeth.
Erich Bergen
And here's Alex yelling at me for not making the coffee strong enough.
Erich Bergen
After a long hard day, I like to come home and watch myself on television, like tonight, where I'm on "Franklin & Bash" on TNT!
Erich Bergen
Well it's time to get to bed and start again tomorrow. However, as part of the "Visiting Actors" rulebook, I'm not allowed to actually sleep in a bed, so I sleep here. It seems odd, but it's what my fellow actors told me is the rule!
Bergen has since departed the production (which runs through Aug. 19) to begin rehearsals as Billy Crocker in the upcoming Anything Goes tour.
Jameson Cooper stepped into the lead role in Hero. "We were so happy that Erich was able to come and open the show before joining the national tour of Anything Goes," said Marriott Executive Producer Terry James. "We're thrilled that Jamie, one of the first 'Heros' in an early workshop, will be seen in the role for the second half of the run."
David H. Bell, an 11-time Jeff Award winner, directs and choreographs the show by Chicago writers Aaron Thielen (book) and Michael Mahler (music and lyrics). The cast also includes Chicago veterans Heidi Kettenring, Don Forston, Alex Goodrich, Dara Cameron, Jonah Rawitz, Zach Keller, Summer Naomi Smart, Michael Aaron Lindner, Kelley Abell and Alex Goldklang.
"Hero," according to Marriott notes, "tells the story of a talented young artist living anything but a superhero life. After a life-changing event his senior year in high school, Hero still finds himself living at home with his dad, Al, who runs the family comic book shop in Milwaukee. Things start to change for him when he bumps into an old girlfriend, and with the encouragement of his dad, and his best friend and cousin, Kirk, Hero finally has a chance to realize his own dream."
The production will include Bernstein’s incidental music for Lillian Hellman’s adaptation of The Lark, and Menotti’s The Unicorn, The Gorgon, and The Manticore.
Based on the novel and film by Frank Cottrell Boyce, the new musical will reunite Guettel with Tony-winning Light in the Piazza director Bartlett Sher.
