THEIR FAVORITE THINGS: Mamma Mia! Star Aaron Lazar Shares His Theatregoing Experiences
By Andrew Gans
September 19, 2012
Playbill.com's new feature series, Their Favorite Things, asks members of the theatre community to share the Broadway performances that most affected them as part of the audience.
This week we spotlight the choices of Broadway singing actor Aaron Lazar, who is currently starring in the New York production of the international hit musical Mamma Mia!
(Clicking on a name bolded in blue will take readers to that actor or show's entry in the Playbill Vault.)
Frederick Weller and Denis O'Hare in Take Me Out.
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"The first play I ever saw at the Public. Two unforgettable performances." |
Philip Seymour Hoffman in Long Day's Journey Into Night (Invited Dress Rehearsal).
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"In the middle of one of Jamie's big drunk scenes, he dropped out of character, called for a line, dropped right back into character and kept going. His performance that night was one of the best I've ever seen on a stage." |
Liev Schreiber in Glengarry Glen Ross.
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"I remember finding the details of his work thrilling; for example, he gave Roma a restless leg syndrome tic... just fantastic character work." |
Sarah Uriarte Berry and Mark Harelik in The Light in the Piazza.
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"I saw the show before my audition for Fabrizio and was blown away by everyone. Particulary Sarah and Mark's work as Florentines was astounding. When I got cast and met them, I was dumbfounded. I expected them to be native Italians!" |
Michael Berresse in Kiss Me, Kate.
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"I'd never seen an actor so in his body. The fire escape gymnastic routine he did was unreal. Ever since, he's become one of my favorite actors." |
Dianne Weist in All My Sons.
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"Tour de force in a role that could have slid to the background. Such deeply emotional work. She was heartbreaking. A lioness and for me the anchor of that brilliant revival." |
Angela Lansbury and George Hearn in Sweeney Todd.
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"Saw the VHS in high school and said, 'If that's musical theatre, I want to do that.' To this day I think their performances as Sweeney and Lovett are two of the best ever in musical theatre history." |
The entire company of Movin' Out.
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"I saw this show three times. Human beings can do that? 8x week??? It still leaves me speechless. To have that control, power, courage, grace, passion...all expressed through movement. My God..." |
Harry Connick, Jr. and Kelli O'Hara in The Pajama Game.
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"Incredible chemistry. Kelli gave a perfect performance. She was flawless. It was so fun to see an old musical revived with such a fresh sexy energy." |
Kevin Bacon's one-man play An Almost Holy Picture or Meryl Streep in Mother Courage.
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"How did they do it? Sooooo much material. Jaw dropping how effortlessly they accomplished those roles." |