spotlight
Sam Harris
brinGs on the humor And the sonG in The FirsT Wives Club
Ever since his very first appearance
on TV’s Star Search, Sam Harris has been
delighting audiences with his soulful
and skilled vocal qualities. From cabaret
to television and to Broadway and back, Harris has proven time and time
again that he can deliver the goods and then some with his acting and singing
talents. Now, he comes to The Old Globe stage for the world-premiere of The
First Wives Club. Sam will play the character of “Duane.” It isn’t as simple as all
that, he recently adopted a boy with his husband, Danny. Read on…
Rage: You and Danny adopted in April of last year. Are Danny and your son, Cooper,
coming out to be with you for this run of The First Wives Club?
Sam Harris: Yes. Danny travels a lot, so when Danny is in town, we’re all
here. But, I have some help. I have a nanny to help us. Usually Cooper is with
the nanny during the day when I’m at rehearsals and sometimes Cooper
comes with me to rehearsals. He started walking at about nine and a half
months. He has this thing where he goes on laps all over the sets, backstage
and dressing rooms. He’s fourteen months old now. It’s a full time job. I’m
doing eight hours of rehearsal and eight hours of Cooper. Daddy is doing
double duty now.
Rage: How did you become involved with this amazing show?
SH: I got involved from a couple of the producers asking me, “Now, since
you have a baby… are you interested in doing Broadway?” I said, “Yeah.” I’m
not going to not do Broadway for the next eighteen years. This is a great
time as Cooper isn’t in school yet. I went to New York and did a reading and
then this Old Globe production was here and hopefully, it’s on its way to
New York. I became involved several months ago.
Rage: From the couple numbers I heard, the music has really got that spark of
Holland-Dozier-Holland.
SH: There are some really great hooks. I have this song in the first act
called “A Man Like Me.” The character of Brenda is my best friend. I’m telling
her to stop fantasizing about getting back with this man. What you need…
and I start talking about the things she deserves. And the song is basically
what I realize is that she needs “A Man Like Me.”
As her best friend, I do this whole thing about how fabulous I am (laugh-
ter). And that she deserves a straight version of Duane. It’s really fun. It
takes place in a Madison Avenue shop and all the shop boys dance and it’s
so much fun. I can’t wait for people to see it.
Rage: Are you playing multiple characters in this production?
SH: No, I’m not playing multiple characters. My character plays multiple
characters. In other words, Sam Harris isn’t playing several characters. My char- smell it when it’s good. I think this has it. Harold Wheeler, our orchestrator,
acter named Duane becomes what Francesca (director) calls the “fourth wife” and orchestrated Dreamgirls, The Life… a lot of things that have that urban kind of
I am a part of all the schemes. I pretend to be a designer named “Duerto” and I thing, that groove… He’s a genius! With him orchestrating these things on top of
pretend to be several people to help them pull off their revenge. what they’ve (HDH) written is magical. I’m as excited about hearing that orchestra
Rage: What do you feel is the “gay” appeal or just appeal, for that matter, of this show? play these songs as anything. These people must think I’m 25…every time I’m on,
SH: It’s a great score. I think you noticed that it is reminiscent of some of the great they’ve got me everywhere.
hooks that Holland-Dozier-Holland are known for. I think it’s going to be appeal- Rage: Be grateful!
ing to a mass audience. I think the gay community, particularly with musicals, can SH: (laughter) It’s so much fun. It’s a great, energetic and ridiculous part!
30 RAGE monthly | August 2009
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