theatre
Bonnie and Clyde
The La Jolla Playhouse
November 10 - December 20
lajollaplayhouse.com
Stark Sands
Portrays DePression-era
OUTLAW
ClyDe Barrow in
BonniE anD CLyDE
Stark Sands as “Clyde” and Laura Osnes as “Bonnie” Photo by Craig Schwartz.
by bill biss
Stark Sands received his theatre degree in acting an incredible job. It works. There’s no tap dancing SS: It’s pretty spectacular. It’s a very strong love
at the University of Southern California. His first Clyde Barrow (laughter). I’m relieved about that…I story and very passionate. We have this one big
acting job was in the film recreation of the play think that might be pushing it a little bit too far. scene where the characters have to “get into it” on the
by Charles Busch called Die, Mommie, Die. Sands Rage: You were nominated for a Tony Award for your role couch. When we did the scene, it was the only one
portrayed the troubled gay son in the camp movie in Journey’s End making your Broadway debut…that must so far where the director didn’t stop and adjust any-
classic. Sands learned the ropes in filmmaking from have been a heady honor. thing. Luckily, it’s not a case of “Hey, how ya doing?
the wonderful theatre people on set who were SS: I was happy just to be in a play on Broadway. Let’s kiss.” Laura and I are pals…we’ve kept in touch,
involved in all the creative aspects of Die, Mommie, The fact that it was so well received and won so many we text and phone each other when we haven’t been
Die. He also appeared on the hit HBO show called Six accolades was just the icing on the cake. Then, that in the same place. It’s nice to have that time under
Feet Under opposite Lauren Ambrose. Since then, he day that the Tony nomination came out, I had no idea our belts. Laura is great and we have so much respect
continues to pursue his first love in the theatre and that that was going to happen. I knew I was playing for each other.
was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in the a great role in a great play. Every day was just about Rage: Please tell me about working with Frank Wildhorn
revival of the production of Journey’s End. Now, with doing the job and getting better, so when that nomi- [Music] and Don Black [Lyrics].
the world premiere looming for Bonnie and Clyde at nation came…I was pretty floored. SS: It’s been really terrific. Don is fantastic. I was
the La Jolla Playhouse and his starring role as Clyde, Rage: There was a captivation with these outlaws that in London for six weeks earlier this year and got
The Rage Monthly caught him on the phone to learn took the depression-era general public by storm…will you to hang out with Don. We just shot the breeze, had
more about this adventurous new theatre musical. elaborate on why you thought America was fascinated by lunch and talked about how excited we were about
Bonnie and Clyde. this [Bonnie and Clyde]. I just feel lucky because it’s
Rage: When you first read the script for Bonnie and Clyde and SS: I think it’s because there was an element where my first professional musical. We started rehearsals
going in with an understanding that it is a musical…what everyone was suffering and having a hard time with about three weeks ago and I feel like I was able to hit
were your impressions of adding music to such a notorious money. The fact that these two people were a couple, the ground running because I had the opportunity
story? a guy and a girl who were in love and robbing banks of getting this character into my bones. I walked into
Stark Sands: When I first heard of it…it was a rare together. America loves a good love story but the rehersal knowing the songs…at least the melody of
occasion where I didn’t audition for the job. The cast- twist on this was that they were targeting banks. the songs. I’ve had almost a whole year to sink into
ing director knew my voice and knew that I had the In that day and age and even today, banks can be this character. It’s the kind of stuff that I sing when I’m
right sound that they were looking for. I just got an perceived as the bad guys, they lost everyone’s driving in my car. It’s not your traditional Broadway
offer to play Clyde in the reading, which was in Febru- money. Maybe there was an element of the general Phantom or Les Miz strong, heavy vibrato. They really
ary of this year. Immediately, I was excited because public rooting for them. They hate the banks too… want gritty and dusty. There’s a country element to
what an iconic character to play. I was very curious the banks took their farm or property. it. Some of the songs remind me of classic southern
as to how they were going to add music into this Rage: Playing Bonnie is Laura Osnes who had such great suc- rock…like Creedence or Allman Brothers. They
dangerous story and not take away that element of cess in Grease and South Pacific…how would you describe like what I’m bringing to it and this raw quality that
danger. I think that Frank Wildhorn [Music] has done your chemistry together? I have.
november 2009 | RAGE monthly 11
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97