Zoneboy
08-03-2009, 09:33 PM
Link (http://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/patriotnews/theater/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/124846981530760.xml&coll=1)
Former "M*A*S*H" star William Christopher is on familiar turf in "Church Basement Ladies," a musical comedy that will launch a national tour this week at Harrisburg's Whitaker Center.
Christopher, who played kind-hearted Father Mulcahy in the critically acclaimed TV show, portrays kind-hearted again, this time as Lutheran minister E.L. Gunderson in the show, which is set at a rural Lutheran church in 1964 Minnesota.
"When I first read the description of him in the cast list," Christopher recalled with a laugh, "I noticed that it said he was a little like Father Mulcahy from 'M*A*S*H.' So that convinced me I had to play the role."
Christopher, 76, grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut before pursuing an acting career that once brought him to the stage at Mount Gretna Theatre in Lebanon County for a role as, you guessed it, a clergyman in "God's Man in Texas."
He has compiled a long list of acting credits, but is probably best known for his role as Pvt. Lester Hummel on "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." and as Mulcahy for 11 years (1972-83). He played Mulcahy for two more years in the mostly forgettable spinoff series "AfterMASH."
Christopher discussed his career during a recent telephone interview from his home in California, where he lives with his wife, Barbara.
Have you done a lot of national tours?
Actually, I kicked off my major career with a national tour. I was living in New York when I got this wonderful job in a national tour of "Beyond the Fringe." That really changed my life a lot. I got an agent in California out of it, and after the show was over, I moved to California. So I started with that, living out of a trunk.
I also did a tour with ["M*A*S*H" co-star] Jamie Farr [in] "The Odd Couple," in '97. We really covered the country. One of the reasons I was glad to do it is because I said to myself, well, I'll probably never do another tour. Now here I am.
You've played this role several times already.
It's a wonderful show. I thought it would be a lot of fun to be in it, and the only challenge was I had to sing. I'm not exactly a trained singer. As soon as I was told I was going to do the show, I came back to Los Angeles and started voice lessons with a coach.
Have you ever resented the role of Father Mulcahy?
No, I never have. I feel pretty lucky to be an actor with a job that lasted 11 years. Actually, I extended that to 13 years because we did "AfterMASH." Actors always expect that their job will end and then they are out of work. It's a lot more fun to be working than to be out of work. Not that I worry now. At my age, I figure if I'm out of work it's just the powers that be have decided I needed a vacation.
Your health is good?
Yeah, it's great. I guess that's what it all boils down to when you get to retirement age. If your health is good, as an actor you can keep going as long as you can find the work. I started working out about five or six years ago, to try to stay in shape and hang onto what I've got. So Barbara and I both go to a trainer three times a week and work out. I've managed to keep in pretty good shape. My wife feeds me awfully nutritious, wonderful meals. She doesn't let me eat any junk.
Are you still in touch with "M*A*S*H" people?
Yes, we manage to keep in touch. We always have. If Alan [Alda] comes out to LA, he gives everyone a shout and we usually get together. Jamie [Farr] and Harry Morgan, who is still going strong, and Mike Farrell, Loretta Swit, myself and our respective spouses, we usually have dinner together once every three or four months.
Do you still get "M*A*S*H" checks in the mail?
Well, yeah. As long as it runs somewhere, we get residuals, but it doesn't pay like it used to. I'm happy to say that "M*A*S*H" does run a lot in reruns. It's still around. I get fan mail occasionally too, which I don't return or encourage.
Do you ever watch the show now?
I haven't watched it regularly for years and years, but channel surfing we sometimes come across "M*A*S*H" and I'll say to Barbara, let's pause for a second and watch this because I have no idea what's going to happen. I just can't remember those shows.
I saw a cast photo for "Church Basement Ladies" and have to say you still look a lot younger than your age.
I've always played young. I got cast once in a beer commercial, I can't remember which beer. I was on the set, and the client was on the set. I was kind of concerned because they kept looking at me. Then they came over and said, "Bill, you know, we're just going to have to let you go. We can't put this on the air with you, because you obviously don't look drinking age and selling beer to children is not something you want to be known for." So I lost that job. They paid me off and I went home. Now that I'm 76, I like to think I can pass for 60. I can still jump around onstage, so that helps.
You seem to always play nice characters. Do you have a dark side?
I guess I do. I hate to admit to it, and I'm working on it, but when I'm driving, when I'm on the freeway, I tend to be very critical of everybody. I'm a little bit too aggressive. I'm trying to curb those evil impulses, but I do get very angry with other drivers. I don't get into real road-rage and pull a gun out or anything, but my wife gets awful tired of hearing me grumble at other cars.
Former "M*A*S*H" star William Christopher is on familiar turf in "Church Basement Ladies," a musical comedy that will launch a national tour this week at Harrisburg's Whitaker Center.
Christopher, who played kind-hearted Father Mulcahy in the critically acclaimed TV show, portrays kind-hearted again, this time as Lutheran minister E.L. Gunderson in the show, which is set at a rural Lutheran church in 1964 Minnesota.
"When I first read the description of him in the cast list," Christopher recalled with a laugh, "I noticed that it said he was a little like Father Mulcahy from 'M*A*S*H.' So that convinced me I had to play the role."
Christopher, 76, grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut before pursuing an acting career that once brought him to the stage at Mount Gretna Theatre in Lebanon County for a role as, you guessed it, a clergyman in "God's Man in Texas."
He has compiled a long list of acting credits, but is probably best known for his role as Pvt. Lester Hummel on "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." and as Mulcahy for 11 years (1972-83). He played Mulcahy for two more years in the mostly forgettable spinoff series "AfterMASH."
Christopher discussed his career during a recent telephone interview from his home in California, where he lives with his wife, Barbara.
Have you done a lot of national tours?
Actually, I kicked off my major career with a national tour. I was living in New York when I got this wonderful job in a national tour of "Beyond the Fringe." That really changed my life a lot. I got an agent in California out of it, and after the show was over, I moved to California. So I started with that, living out of a trunk.
I also did a tour with ["M*A*S*H" co-star] Jamie Farr [in] "The Odd Couple," in '97. We really covered the country. One of the reasons I was glad to do it is because I said to myself, well, I'll probably never do another tour. Now here I am.
You've played this role several times already.
It's a wonderful show. I thought it would be a lot of fun to be in it, and the only challenge was I had to sing. I'm not exactly a trained singer. As soon as I was told I was going to do the show, I came back to Los Angeles and started voice lessons with a coach.
Have you ever resented the role of Father Mulcahy?
No, I never have. I feel pretty lucky to be an actor with a job that lasted 11 years. Actually, I extended that to 13 years because we did "AfterMASH." Actors always expect that their job will end and then they are out of work. It's a lot more fun to be working than to be out of work. Not that I worry now. At my age, I figure if I'm out of work it's just the powers that be have decided I needed a vacation.
Your health is good?
Yeah, it's great. I guess that's what it all boils down to when you get to retirement age. If your health is good, as an actor you can keep going as long as you can find the work. I started working out about five or six years ago, to try to stay in shape and hang onto what I've got. So Barbara and I both go to a trainer three times a week and work out. I've managed to keep in pretty good shape. My wife feeds me awfully nutritious, wonderful meals. She doesn't let me eat any junk.
Are you still in touch with "M*A*S*H" people?
Yes, we manage to keep in touch. We always have. If Alan [Alda] comes out to LA, he gives everyone a shout and we usually get together. Jamie [Farr] and Harry Morgan, who is still going strong, and Mike Farrell, Loretta Swit, myself and our respective spouses, we usually have dinner together once every three or four months.
Do you still get "M*A*S*H" checks in the mail?
Well, yeah. As long as it runs somewhere, we get residuals, but it doesn't pay like it used to. I'm happy to say that "M*A*S*H" does run a lot in reruns. It's still around. I get fan mail occasionally too, which I don't return or encourage.
Do you ever watch the show now?
I haven't watched it regularly for years and years, but channel surfing we sometimes come across "M*A*S*H" and I'll say to Barbara, let's pause for a second and watch this because I have no idea what's going to happen. I just can't remember those shows.
I saw a cast photo for "Church Basement Ladies" and have to say you still look a lot younger than your age.
I've always played young. I got cast once in a beer commercial, I can't remember which beer. I was on the set, and the client was on the set. I was kind of concerned because they kept looking at me. Then they came over and said, "Bill, you know, we're just going to have to let you go. We can't put this on the air with you, because you obviously don't look drinking age and selling beer to children is not something you want to be known for." So I lost that job. They paid me off and I went home. Now that I'm 76, I like to think I can pass for 60. I can still jump around onstage, so that helps.
You seem to always play nice characters. Do you have a dark side?
I guess I do. I hate to admit to it, and I'm working on it, but when I'm driving, when I'm on the freeway, I tend to be very critical of everybody. I'm a little bit too aggressive. I'm trying to curb those evil impulses, but I do get very angry with other drivers. I don't get into real road-rage and pull a gun out or anything, but my wife gets awful tired of hearing me grumble at other cars.