Here, via email, we hear from actor Seth Blum, who is currently starring in Bayside! The Musical!, the unauthorized parody of the Saturday morning show "Saved by the Bell," at Theatre 80; visit www.BaysideTheMusical.com.
What show recently impressed you?
I recently saw The Love Note, which is playing Off-Broadway at the Actors Temple in midtown. I loved the camaraderie of the cast, the all-important theme, the bright use of color, the up-tempo catchy music, and the individual actors magnificently played their middle-school characters, some evil, some innocent, all vulnerable to their fears. Such a fun and meaningful show. It also stars Sam Harvey and Katie Mebane, both fellow actors in Bayside! The Musical! I can't wait to see it again.
What production are you most excited to see?
If only I could go see Bayside! The Musical!, written by Tobly McSmith and Bob McSmith (no relation). Unfortunately I'm in the show, so there's no metaphysical possibility, but from backstage I've calculated the average minutes per laugh to be approximately 9.3 seconds. What a fun show! Otherwise, I'm excited to see If/Then, Hedwig (DUH!) and Pippin. I played Pippin in 1991 in a summer camp production: "When you're extra ordinary, ya gotta do extra ordinary things." Indeed!
What play/musical would you most like to revive on Broadway, and which role would you want to play?
Next to Normal is my absolute favorite - I would love to play Dan. I've also always wanted to play Danny Zuko in Grease. Unfortunately, I think it’s too late for me...unless Tobly McSmith and Bob McSmith (seriously, no relation) write a parody of Grease, then I can definitely play the parody. I mean c'mon, now that might be funny! Danny Zuko the Musical, anyone?
What are your current/upcoming projects?
I play guitar and sing in a band called Six Each, which performs original music I've written over the past 23 years. I'm also developing a new math app called Math Trip that will teach algebra through calculus. On the website (MathTripApp.com), there is a fun commercial I produced with choreography, an original song I wrote and a way to drop your email and sign up for updates. I'm also producing a play with exceptional actors and a fantastic director, which will hopefully go up in early 2015. Stay tuned to it all, and learn more at SethBlumNYC.com.
