TV Actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar Finds His way on Stage

Zoneboy · 11-04-2009, 06:42 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, 07:00 PM

Cool!! I hope all goes well for him.

Marvo301 · 11-04-2009, 07:08 PM

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

amazins03 · 11-04-2009, 09:37 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, 01:28 AM

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

11-04-2009, 06:42 PM	#1
Zoneboy Moderator Forum Veteran Rod Serling Fan Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: The Twilight Gallery or The Night Zone, Take Your Pick. Posts: 12,298	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 __________________ Somewhere between the greed for money and sound judgment, the legends of country music were tossed aside for the outlandish sound they call country music today.

11-04-2009, 07:00 PM	#2
catlover79 Moderator Forum Celebrity Merry Christmas! Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 40,100	Cool!! I hope all goes well for him. __________________ Merry Christmas!! In loving memory of Lance Corporal David R. Baker - October 1, 1987 - October 20, 2009

11-04-2009, 07:08 PM	#3
Marvo301 Senior Member Merry Christmas! Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: Abbotsford,B.C. Canada Posts: 6,790	I really admire Mark-Paul for having the courage to try something new! __________________ Jesus is the reason for the season!

11-07-2009, 01:28 AM	#5
Schmoopie Senior Member Under the Seattle moon.... Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Mill Creek, Washington Posts: 6,440	That's great! I'd love to see him perform on stage! __________________ I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.

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11-04-2009, 09:37 PM	#4
amazins03 Occasional Poster Member Join Date: Apr 06, 2006 Posts: 14	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....

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