TV Actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar Finds His way on Stage - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 11-04-2009, 07:42 PM

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NEW YORK - Mark-Paul Gosselaar is a self-professed theater novice and not afraid to admit it.

Right now, he’s making his New York stage debut off-Broadway in “The Understudy’’ alongside theater veterans Julie White, a best-actress Tony Award winner for “The Little Dog Laughed,’’ and Justin Kirk, who appeared on Broadway and in the film version of “Love! Valour! Compassion!’’

The role requires Gosselaar to step outside his comfort zone and perform twice a day, feeding off the energy of the live audience, with 80 pages of dialogue to remember.

“I had no idea about anything,’’ says Gosselaar, 35, whose prime TV credits include “Saved by the Bell,’’ “NYPD Blue,’’ and “Raising the Bar.’’ “I didn’t know the process or the terminology.’’

Fittingly, Gosselaar plays Jake, a big movie star who’s also an understudy in a Broadway play. Kirk plays the understudy to Gosselaar, and White is the stage manager. The play opens this week.

The entire story takes place at a rehearsal and shows how a theater understudy is always waiting in the wings hoping for their moment in the spotlight.

Gosselaar admits to practicing his new lines while walking to the theater, in a cab, and on the subway.

“A lot of questions my character brings up are some of the questions I had,’’ admits Gosselaar. “ ‘What’s a half-hour call? What’s the process of an understudy? So, the understudy is really never gonna go on [stage]?’ I had the same questions that Jake has in the play.’’

Scott Ellis, the show’s director, says Gosselaar is catching on quickly.

“It wouldn’t work if he didn’t have a gift with it. And he just has it,’’ says Ellis.

Gosselaar’s self-discovery hasn’t stopped at drama. There’s a cute dance number at the end of the Roundabout Theatre Company production which he says is one of his favorite parts. He now says he would even consider a Broadway musical if the opportunity came up.

“I’m not opposed to it. I don’t even know if I have a singing voice. I’ve never tried.’’

Ellis says he was surprised by Gosselaar’s audition because it went so well despite his lack of experience.

“I looked down on his resume and said, ‘There’s no theater here’ and he said, ‘No, I’ve never done theater.’ That was shocking to me because his audition was so spot-on. . . . He instinctively understands what the process is about. He asks the right questions.’’

catlover79 · 11-04-2009, 08:00 PM

Cool!! I hope all goes well for him.

Marvo301 · 11-04-2009, 08:08 PM

I really admire Mark-Paul for having the courage to try something new!

amazins03 · 11-04-2009, 10:37 PM

In another recent article, he was quoted as "... I had to ask what the fourth wall was (where a character speaks directly to the audience.)..."

That's ironic considering he broke the fourth wall several times on SBTB....

Schmoopie · 11-07-2009, 02:28 AM

That's great! I'd love to see him perform on stage!

11-04-2009, 07:42 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,433	TV Actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar Finds His way on Stage Link NEW YORK - Mark-Paul Gosselaar is a self-professed theater novice and not afraid to admit it. Right now, he’s making his New York stage debut off-Broadway in “The Understudy’’ alongside theater veterans Julie White, a best-actress Tony Award winner for “The Little Dog Laughed,’’ and Justin Kirk, who appeared on Broadway and in the film version of “Love! Valour! Compassion!’’ The role requires Gosselaar to step outside his comfort zone and perform twice a day, feeding off the energy of the live audience, with 80 pages of dialogue to remember. “I had no idea about anything,’’ says Gosselaar, 35, whose prime TV credits include “Saved by the Bell,’’ “NYPD Blue,’’ and “Raising the Bar.’’ “I didn’t know the process or the terminology.’’ Fittingly, Gosselaar plays Jake, a big movie star who’s also an understudy in a Broadway play. Kirk plays the understudy to Gosselaar, and White is the stage manager. The play opens this week. The entire story takes place at a rehearsal and shows how a theater understudy is always waiting in the wings hoping for their moment in the spotlight. Gosselaar admits to practicing his new lines while walking to the theater, in a cab, and on the subway. “A lot of questions my character brings up are some of the questions I had,’’ admits Gosselaar. “ ‘What’s a half-hour call? What’s the process of an understudy? So, the understudy is really never gonna go on [stage]?’ I had the same questions that Jake has in the play.’’ Scott Ellis, the show’s director, says Gosselaar is catching on quickly. “It wouldn’t work if he didn’t have a gift with it. And he just has it,’’ says Ellis. Gosselaar’s self-discovery hasn’t stopped at drama. There’s a cute dance number at the end of the Roundabout Theatre Company production which he says is one of his favorite parts. He now says he would even consider a Broadway musical if the opportunity came up. “I’m not opposed to it. I don’t even know if I have a singing voice. I’ve never tried.’’ Ellis says he was surprised by Gosselaar’s audition because it went so well despite his lack of experience. “I looked down on his resume and said, ‘There’s no theater here’ and he said, ‘No, I’ve never done theater.’ That was shocking to me because his audition was so spot-on. . . . He instinctively understands what the process is about. He asks the right questions.’’ Attached Images
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11-04-2009, 08:00 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Cool!! I hope all goes well for him.
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11-04-2009, 08:08 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	I really admire Mark-Paul for having the courage to try something new!
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11-07-2009, 02:28 AM	#5
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	That's great! I'd love to see him perform on stage!
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11-04-2009, 10:37 PM	#4
amazins03 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 06, 2006 Posts: 17	In another recent article, he was quoted as "... I had to ask what the fourth wall was (where a character speaks directly to the audience.)..." That's ironic considering he broke the fourth wall several times on SBTB....