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Local man Stan Stanley snags lead role in 'Cats' Between reviews and preview articles, I prefer reviewing. It's more a case of stating an educated opinion. The form is not as difficult as the research and structure that goes into a preview piece. That, at least, is the usual case. When I was asked to do a preview for the upcoming presentation of Cats, I was interested but with a certain lackadaisical attitude. Previews aren't as much fun. Seeing the end product makes the job tremendously enjoyable. But not this time. I got the information as to whom I'd be talking and when. The fellow I was to interview plays Rum Tum Tugger in the show. For the few of us that haven't seen Cats, he's the sexy tomcat to whom all of the lady cats are attracted. My interest was piqued when the publicity person I was talking to happened to mention that the actor was a local fellow. When I saw the name I was thrilled. After all, how many people in the world have the moniker Stan Stanley? It seems that the interest was equally pleasant on the other side. After all, how many theater writers have the name Leo Sochocki? Stanley and I are friends. I haven't spoken with him in a while, as theater folks are a band of loosely acquainted gypsies. We fall in and out of touch with each other on a fairly regular basis. All the same, there we were chatting on the phone about family and wives and mutual pals. Stanley is a local lad. His principal stock and trade is his vocal ability. He has a tremendous tenor voice with that oh-so-in-demand Broadway belt. Stanley is one of those rare combinations of looks, singing, dancing and acting talents that immediately draws your attention when he takes the stage. After a stint with the General Jackson and few regional successes including Tommy, Stanley went for broke. "I wanted to see what would happen at the next level. I'd had a lot of good experiences in and around Nashville, but that's home. I needed to know if I could make it on a different playing field," Stanley said. In March, with enough money to, as he put it, "… make a serious shot at auditions for three or four months," he hit the Big Apple. "I went to every single audition I could find. If it caught my attention as something that I felt I would be suited for, I showed up. “I went to an open call for a new production of Cats,” Stanley said. “This was a major tour from one of the bigger tour producers. They held auditions in New York, L.A. and a couple other major markets. After four auditions, I got the role." Coincidentally, it was in Nashville that Stanley first saw Cats. "I was a kid, I think 9 or 10, and my parents took me to TPAC to see the show,” Stanley recalled. “It was one of those ones that leaves a mark and makes a performer have those early ‘I can do that’ thoughts. I'm thrilled that I'll be in Jackson Hall with the show but seeing it from the stage.” I'm thrilled for Stanley and not a bit surprised as he's that good. For those that haven't seen Cats, here's your chance. There will be more, but how often will you get to see a local actor in the lead role of a major tour? Oh and the name, yes it's really what his mom and dad named him. Performance times for Cats in TPAC’s Andrew Jackson Hall November 27 - December 2 are 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. For tickets, visit the TPAC Box Office Downtown or Davis-Kidd Booksellers, the Web site www.tpac.org, or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 255-2787. |
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