The Cowardly Lion

(The closest I ever came to dying.)

The first time I did "THE WIZARD OF OZ" was in 2nd grade.  I lip-synched the album and played ALL the parts for a talent assignment.  My teacher was so impressed, she had me perform for ALL of the classes.  My first engagement, and I was held over!  HA!

Costume fitting for Edna in "HAIRSPRAY".

It was my first understudy experience.

Good training for "GREATER TUNA"!

Roscoe Dexter in "SINGIN' IN THE RAIN"

w/ Terry Burrell as the King & Queen in "CINDERELLA".

(The show too hot for Beverly, MA.)

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LOOKING BACK!

My first stage appearance.  I won second place, but had to sit down.  I couldn't stand and play the accordian.

My first role in a professional production:

Portly Otter in "THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS" at Fort Worth's Casa Manana.  My debut was November 2, 1968.

For seven years, I was the Conductor/"Perfesser" for "MR. JACK DANIEL'S ORIGINAL SILVER CORNET BAND".  I played everything from Jazz and Music Festivals to the Bohemian Club in San Francisco; from Resorts International Casino in Atlantic City to the beach in Key West; from Ralph Emery's "NASHVILLE NOW" television show to the "VOICE OF AMERICA" international radio broadcast.

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SOME OTHER FUN TIMES:

With Mary Gordon Murray in "MOON OVER BUFFALO" at Casa Manana.

With Lindy Heath Cabe in "SWEENEY TODD" (also at Casa).

As the fashion-conscious ruler in "THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES" for Casa Playhouse.

As Tevye in "FIDDLER ON THE ROOF" at Bass Performance Hall.

With Wendy Ehart as the Potiphars in "JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT".

In my dressing room at Boston's Shubert Theatre for "CAMELOT".  (This was the same theatre where "CAMELOT" originally "tried out".

With Jon Kimbell and George Dvorsky at the IRNE (Independent Reviewers of New England) Awards Ceremony.  I won Best Supporting Actor for my King Pellinore in "CAMELOT".

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SOME ARTWORK BY DICK BALBONI THAT CAPTURES SOME OF MY CHARACTERS:

"A CHRISTMAS CAROL" (Scrooge)

"CAMELOT"  (Pellinore)

"CRAZY FOR YOU"  (Bela Zangler)