Hunter Foster (#246) - December, 2009

"Ordinary Days"' Hunter Foster talks about performing a musical in such an intimate space (Roundabout Underground's black box) and why the unusually close proximity makes the audience into the fifth character in this new work. He also talks about his discovery of musicals in high school; his steady and successful acting gigs right after high school and why despite them he chose to enroll at the University of Michigan; how he came to New York not long after graduation and almost immediately got offers for a national tour of "Cats" and "Grease" on Broadway -- managing to take them both; how much he had to learn about discipline and professionalism while touring in "Cats"; how he kept himself challenged during more than three years (on and off) with "Grease"; his retrospective admiration for the musical "Footloose" -- where he received the famed "gypsy robe" because he was the company's ensemble veteran before turning 30; his complete surprise at the success of "Urinetown", which he joined beginning with its Off-Broadway incarnation at the American Theatre of Actors, and at finding himself sharing a stage with John Cullum; how he managed to get cast in the play "The Government Inspector" at The Guthrie Theatre when he was not a member of the company and best known for musicals; and his own work as a writer of musicals and plays, including "Summer of '42" and "Bonnie and Clyde: A Folk Tale" -- and whether he ever intends to write a role for himself. Original air date - December 7, 2009.