We chatted to Hugh about coming back to London to perform his new show ‘Man Without a Mask’ at Crazy Coqs on the 7th & 8th September.
Hi Hugh, how does it feel to be back in London with your new show? Joyful! And correct! My very first trip to the UK was in 1993 to record the Jerome Kern Treasury Album (EMI/ Angel records) at the famous Abbey Road Studio. That’s when I first fell in love with London and I was a complete tourist! I had afternoon tea every single day all over London comparing scones! I don’t need the pastries, I am obsessed with scones and clotted cream and that’s no joke! I purchased gifts and souvenirs at Harrods for my entire family as well as my cast mates. I was playing Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway at the time and I remember getting Harrod’s keychains and teddy bear scarves for my dresser and wig mistress. So many joyful memories from that first trip!
In 1998, I got to live in Westminster for six months while I did Hal Prince’s beautiful production of Showboat at the Prince Edward Theatre. I remember walking over the Hungerford Foot Bridge every night to the West End and having delicious crepes on Old Compton Street before the show. I wasn’t just a tourist, I was a working actor in the West End!
In 2007 , I had the privilege of performing with Barbra Streisand at the O2 Arena, the final stop on her European tour. On our night off, I had a full circle moment when I returned to the Prince Edward Theatre to see my friend Gavin Creel play Bert in Mary Poppins. Afterwards, Gavin introduced me to the star of the show, Scarlett Strallen, and she has become one of my closest friends in the US where we do symphony concerts together! Bringing Man Without a Mask to the UK is another full circle moment for me, it is the culmination of my personal and professional life and I cannot wait to play Crazy Coqs!
How did the idea for ‘Man Without a Mask’ come about? It’s definitely been a journey! I was doing a gig in Palm Springs, California that I had put together with my friend and musical director Joseph Thalken. I received a message from my friend Richard Jay-Alexander that he was coming to our show. Besides being friends, Richard directed me in Les Miserables on Broadway as well as the Barbra Streisand European tour. I was quite nervous because Richard has such high standards and can be brutally honest with his critiques. He came back stage afterwards and was very complimentary but said that I was in the “wrong show!” In his inimitable manner he asked me “Hughsky, why are you singing about dogs?” I said “ I LOVE dogs!” “Not good enough” he said, “You have a career and a story to tell! No more dog songs!” That night, over hamburgers at a local fast food joint, Richard became my director. With his guidance, we broke sales records at 54Below in New York City, recorded a live CD and Man Without a Mask was born.
Musically, what can we expect from the performances? A lot of incredible music and stories about my life and career, some good, some not so good but always the truth!
I also have to say that Joseph Thalken, my Musical Director makes a piano sound like a full orchestra, I don’t know how he does it! He is also brilliant composer with several recordings of his own and I am honored to perform one of his most beautiful and poignant songs in our show. We also will have a local bass player from the UK joining us which adds even more depth and spontaneity. And last but not least , I plan on singing my face off!
What do you love the most about performing? This may sound like an obvious answer but there is nothing like performing in front of a live audience. I still get excited and I’m always learning. There are so many variables and unknowns and you’re constantly thinking on your feet, listening and responding in real time to whatever happens in room. It’s electric and different with every single audience and no matter how hard you try to control it, it will always be a living, breathing experience!
You have played such a variety of roles – have you had any particular favourites? Omg, to this day whenever I’m asked this question, one role always pops into my head! One of my first jobs after joining Actors Equity was playing Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. I was way too young, ( I was only 21 ) but I’m half Italian and could grow a pretty good beard so that helped! I loved that role and that show and it was my introduction to Andrew Lloyd Webber and let’s be honest, who doesn’t like playing God! Of course I loved playing the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables but honestly all of the roles I have played, from Mary Sunshine in Chicago to Fagin in Oliver!, have been so much fun and have offered a variety of challenges as well as rewards!
Without any spoilers of course, how would you describe ‘Man Without a Mask’? Well, hopefully by the end of the evening, the audience will feel like they have really gotten to know me. It’s a very authentic, truthful show with no “filler”. I believe an audience can spot bullsh*t a mile a way so my goal is to keep it real and make it a big party at Crazy Coqs. And without spilling too much “T” we will definitely cover Barbra, Elton , Sondheim and many more !!!
What advice would you share with someone just starting out in the industry? Be the most authentic version of yourself . I always tell young people just starting out that there is only one “you”. You are unique and special unlike anyone else. The sooner you can truthfully embrace that the better. It’s scary because it means being completely open and vulnerable. I remember when I first moved to New York City to pursue my dream, Mandy Patinkin was the “it” guy! I had seen him as Che in Evita and Georges Seurat in Sunday in the Park With George. I’m a pretty good mimic , so I would go in to auditions and do my best “Mandy”. Luckily, there was very astute (and kind) accompanist that pulled me aside after one audition and said, “Hugh, I hope you don’t mind this but I’d like to give you some advice. You do a really good Mandy, but if they want Mandy, they’ll cast Mandy. You need to figure out who you are and bring that to the table. Some people will like it, others may not, but at least they get to see the real you and not some version of someone else”. It was the best advice I was ever given and I have never forgotten it.
By Emma Clarendon
To book tickets for either of Hugh’s shows at the Crazy Coqs visit: https://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/hugh-panaro-man-without-a-mask/