David Garrison

Transcript of Robert Armin's online chat with David Garrison
(December 2, 2002)

[RobertArmin] Good evening. Welcome to the Fynsworth Alley's Chat Room.

[RobertArmin] My guest this evening is one of Broadway's most talented and busy performers -- David Garrison.

[RobertArmin] David, thanks for joining us.

[DGarrison] Thanks, Robert. Good to be here. Pardon my typing

[RobertArmin] I first saw you on Broadway in A Day In Hollywood. Had you ever "done" Groucho before that?

[DGarrison] No. Although most casting directors since have assumed that I'd been doing Groucho at birthday parties since I was six.

[RobertArmin] You were nominated for a Tony for that. Was it your first Broadway show?

[DGarrison] No. My first was Chris Durang's A History of the American Film with Swoosie Kurtz.

[DGarrison] We played what was then the ANTA, now the Virginia.

[DGarrison] I used to look out my dressing room window and watch Sandy the dog in "Annie" arrive by limousine.

[DGarrison] Our circumstances were significantly less prosperous.

[RobertArmin] Let me pass on a couple of questions from our audience.

[mommyelayne] What's different about performing on Broadway today as compared to Night in the Ukraine days?

[DGarrison] Sorry for the delay. I'm figuring out the procedure here.

[DGarrison] The biggest difference, I think, has to do with producing.

[DGarrison] In those days, (I sound like an old fart now), producing was still largely the domain of impresarios like Alex Cohen and David Merrick.

[DGarrison] One may not have always agreed with their decisions, but they had singular vision.

[DGarrison] In a more corporate environment today, producing is done by committee and more attuned to the bottom line.

[DGarrison] It's rare that a producer will put reputation and fortune on the line for a personal vision.

[molly] I saw David as Malvolio in Twelfth Night this summer. He was fantastic. Any plans for more Shakespeare?

[DGarrison] I'd love to do more. I began my career as an actor in rep, and I miss doing the classics.

[DGarrison] Shakespeare is a particularly good fit for actors who also do musical theatre.

[DGarrison] Recently, Karen Ziemba (with whom I did "I Do! I Do!") asked my advice about her Shakespearean debut this season in "Much Ado.."

[DGarrison] She was concerned about being able to learn all the lines. I told her that a Broadway leading lady would have no trouble. And she didn't.

[RobertArmin] You were a company member at Arena Stage. That must have given you quite a workout.

[DGarrison] Being a member of the Arena company was a wonderful way to move from the academic world to the professional world.

[DGarrison] The late 70's were a particularly heady time for Arena Stage. Zelda Fichandler and Alan Schneider were at the top of their game.

[DGarrison] The theatre was the first regional house to be honored with a Tony Award, and had a successful tour of the Soviet Union.

[DGarrison] I got to everything from Chekhov to Shakespeare to Kaufman and Hart.

[IDOIDO] Someone has to ask...Was MARRIED WITH CHILDREN a fun gig for you? You had a great character, and was certainly fun to watch!

[DGarrison] "Married.." was ridiculous fun.

[DGarrison] We were breaking all the sitcom rules and enjoying every minute.

[DGarrison] I never once saw our producers in anything but jeans and T-shirts. It drove the execs at Fox to distraction.

[RobertArmin] I've said this to you before, David, but I'm glad you left the show. You might never have had the varied career you have enjoyed if you were stereotyped in that one role.

[DGarrison] I figure actors are like sharks; you gotta keep moving or you die.

[anna] What has been your biggest challenge in show business?

[DGarrison] Staying employed.

[anna] How do you like rafting on the Colorado River? Is it true that you were a guide?

[DGarrison] Yes, it's true, to answer the second part of your question.

[DGarrison] To answer the first part, it's the best ride in the park.

[RobertArmin] You've done a LOT of TV. What are some of your favorite guest appearances?

[DGarrison] "The Practice," "Murphy Brown," "Murder She Wrote" (I'm dating myself but Angela Lansbury was splendid to work with), and my recurring lawyer, Richard Billings, on "Law and Order."

[Frankie] When is fynsworth alley going to produce your album and what will it be when it does?

[DGarrison] Thanks for thinking that somebody would actually want to listen to such a thing.

[DGarrison] Like most character actors, I think it best to be brief and leave the stage.

[DGarrison] I can't imagine anyone wanting to listen to me sing in the background while they're having dinner.

[Frankie] I would! You're the best.

[DGarrison] Tell you what. Someday, I'll come by and sing a few tunes while you're downing the lasagna.

[IDOIDO] BELLS was a fun show, especially your character. Do you still hum "It's a Simple Little System"? It was is an infectious song!

[DGarrison] Do you mean infectious like the flu?

[RobertArmin] Nobody has sung Salzburg like you!

[DGarrison] Thank goodness.

[RobertArmin] You recently performed in I Sent a Letter to My Love. What was that like?

[DGarrison] Cass Morgan and I did it at the North Shore Music Theatre.

[DGarrison] If you ever perform a musical in the round, I heartily suggest doing it in a wheelchair as I did.

[DGarrison] Melissa Manchester and Jeff Sweet have created a sweet and sophisticated chamber piece. I enjoyed every minute with a terrific cast.

[Frankie] was it difficult to support your singing in a wheelchair?

[DGarrison] It required a very tight sphincter.

[DGarrison] And caution on the turns.

[RobertArmin] You Never Know may be one of the best "unknown" shows around. What a collection of songs. And you get to sing with Kristin Chenowith!

[RobertArmin] What was that like?

[DGarrison] You Never Know was a great treat, both to perform and then record years later.

[DGarrison] We all thought the show was going to have a further life.

[DGarrison] The week before we closed in L.A., the Kennedy Center told us the offers would be out on Tuesday. Every Tuesday since then (about ten years now) I look for that offer.

[RobertArmin] I recommend that album heartily. Harry Groener is also on it and he's about to open in Imaginary Friends on Broadway.

[DGarrison] Harry and Donna McKechnie. A great cast.

[RobertArmin] You have participated in some of the best "studio cast" albums, including the monumental Show Boat album. What was that one like to record?

[DGarrison] Showboat was the first in what has become a succession of re-releases of original orchestrations.

[RobertArmin] Yes, you were in Strike Up The Band, Of Thee I Sing, Kiss Me, Kate and Annie Get Your Gun.

[DGarrison] No expense was spared, and recording it at Abbey Road made the whole experience that much more exciting.

[RobertArmin] And, of course, your revival cast of I Do, I Do is every bit as good as the original.

[DGarrison] Says you.

MikeB: Hello David. Mike Brewer from Fynsworth Alley here. Just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to speak with us.

[DGarrison] Thanks. This is scarier than live TV. I'm sweating at the keyboard.

[RobertArmin] Hey, David, quit insulting my guest!

[DGarrison] Who's your guest?

[RobertArmin] Was Titanic changed a lot in rehearsals

[DGarrison] Is the bear Catholic?

[RobertArmin] I don't know. Is he?

[DGarrison] Check with the Pope. I believe so.

[RobertArmin] I get the sense that a lot of the character development was lost in rehearsal.

[RobertArmin] In Titanic, that is.

[DGarrison] Unfortunately, some of the juicy stuff had to go for time, tempo, or technical reasons.

[DGarrison] There was a wonderful song for the millionaires which had to be cut because it undermined the Strauss's love ballad.

[DGarrison] Judy Blazer's character lost two songs, but she was a trouper throughout.

[RobertArmin] So, if you could have your dream role, what would it be?

[DGarrison] My stock answer to that has always been, "surprise me."

[RobertArmin] You can do better than that!

[RobertArmin] What show have you always wanted to do? What role?

[DGarrison] I wouldn't mind having a crack at the Christopher Plummer "Cyrano" musical.

[MikeB] The cut song from Titanic would make a good choice for the next LOST IN BOSTON release. Maybe we could get you in the studio to record it! (?)

[DGarrison] It would be a good candidate for recording.

[DGarrison] Better to have the original boys do it.

[DGarrison] It was the song which prompted Richard Jones to agree to direct the piece. Ironic that he had to wind up cutting it.

[RobertArmin] Which makes me wonder, what songs WOULD you record if you were doing a solo album.

[RobertArmin] Just a few thoughts?

[DGarrison] I'd start with "There's a Flaw in My Flue."

[Frankie] I'd like to see David in Glengarry Glen Ross, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Archie Rice in The Entertainer

[DGarrison] Thank you. I'll gladly take numbers two and three.

[RobertArmin] Marvin Hamlisch wrote a wonderful score for The Entertainer for the Jack Lemmon TV movie. Maybe I could direct you in a stage production?

[DGarrison] I'll give you my agent's number.

[RobertArmin] It's a lost gem of a score.

[RobertArmin] Hasn't been seen since the original broadcast.

[RobertArmin] So what's in the future for you?

[DGarrison] Typing. I'm getting better at it tonight.

[RobertArmin] Actually, you would be good in Glengarry Glen Ross. Ben Stiller backed out. Your agent should give THEM a call.

[RobertArmin] You did mention that you were planning to do a Fox special on Married With Children.

[RobertArmin] When is that happening?

[DGarrison] We'll be filming a reunion show in early January for the February sweeps.

[MikeB] Yo7u tipe fynes.

[DGarrison] tHumc u.

[RobertArmin] I imagine you would be up for another series? Any nibbles?

[DGarrison] Your imagination is better that those of Hollywood's casting directors, but hope springs eternal.

[RobertArmin] Maybe after the Fox show reminds them!

[DGarrison] A happy thought.

[RobertArmin] Anyone in the audience have any questions for David?

[Frankie] Do you still tapdance?

[DGarrison] Yes, usually in empty elevators.

[DGarrison] I also sang "I've Never Been in Love Before" today on an empty B train.

[katemcgowan1] Hi David, Great job in Titanic; The Blame is so great - very tenseful. What was the most difficult and best aspects of being in that show?

[DGarrison] Katie McGowan, is that you, darlin'?

[katemcgowan1] aye tis me

[DGarrison] Sweet Jaysus.

[DGarrison] Well, clearly the best part of working on "Titanic" was meeting such up and coming stars as Jen Piech.

[MikeB] We were just in the recording studio with Jen Piech...recording a bonus song for REDHEAD. She sounded so wonderful!

[DGarrison] She is wonderful. How come I'm not singing the Richard Kiley role?

[RobertArmin] You will in the next revival.

[DGarrison] I'll hold you to that. May we add "There's a Flaw in My Flue" as a bonus track?

[MikeB] Hmmm...wished I had thought of it! Last minute thing, Mark Price (Dance of Vampires) ended up doing the duet with Jen. How are you with JAMAICA? Any Ricardo in you?

[DGarrison] My bongos are rusty. (Don't go there.)

[IDOIDO] Karen Ziemba is doing MUCH ADO...would be great to see you both paired up in a Shakespeare play...do you keep in touch with her?

[DGarrison] Actually, I would've loved to have played Benedict to her Beatrice, but nobody asked.

[DGarrison] Karen and I are in touch quite often. I just sang in a benefit with her a few weeks ago.

[RobertArmin] Would you consider doing Groucho again. Maybe as a one man show?

[DGarrison] I'm constantly asked to do Groucho, and I always decline. Once again, that shark-keep-moving thing.

[RobertArmin] So, if someone DID ask you to choose a Broadway vehicle, what might it be. Seriously (ha ha).

[DGarrison] Well, as I said, Cyrano would be fun, and, alas, Harold Hill has already been revived--for the time being, at least.

[DGarrison] Maybe the Ray Bolger story. Did he have one?

[RobertArmin] Did he have a story? Probably.

[RobertArmin] Have you done Where's Charley?

[DGarrison] Only in concert, but once in love, always in love...

[MikeB] I've heard things about Ray...might be better as an E! True Hollywood Story.

[DGarrison] Well, I've done E! True Story, too, so there might be some promising algebra here.

[MikeB] Oh do tell. What did you do for E! ?

[DGarrison] The MWC tell all.

[Frankie] I could see David Garrison very at home with Noel Coward as well, no one does his musicals... revival?

[DGarrison] There are a few Coward plays I'm very anxious to do, as long as he wouldn't mind.

[RobertArmin] Well, you've already left a great many musical roles on recordings behind and I think there are many more to come.

[RobertArmin] And I think you have been subjected to enough self-inspection.

[RobertArmin] Maybe I should let you go.

[DGarrison] Thanks. There are a number of elevators and empty subway cars left to visit tonight.

[DGarrison] Second show, you know.

[RobertArmin] Well, thank you for being my first guinea pig here in the chat room.

[DGarrison] Guinea pigs never had it so good.

[RobertArmin] Thank you, sir.

[RobertArmin] And thanks for everyone who dropped by.

[DGarrison] Keep recording. It's important to keep theatre music out there.