Acts and Answered: Andy Anderson

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August 18, 1:03 PM

by Deb Flomberg, Denver Theater Examiner

 

 

Examining Andy Anderson

This week for Acts and Answered I spoke with Andy Anderson. His is a name synonomous with good work. He's performed on just about every stage in town and with just about every actor in town. I've seen him on stages from Aurora to Evergreen and loved every bit of his work. I've also been lucky enough to work with him myself.  He makes some excellent points in this weeks Acts and Answered. Since Anderson has worked with so many different theatres accross town, he brings a unique perspetive to these questions. This actor is not only one to watch, but he's one to listen to as well. 
 
Q. What is your favorite theatre to visit as a patron and why?
A. Wow, talk about starting off with a tough one! It's hard to pick a favorite, there are so many. I guess I have gone through "phases" if you will, where a certain theatre was my favorite. At times it has been The Denver Vic, Country Dinner Playhouse, Paragon, Vintage, etc. But the one that I have consistently returned to (and where I saw my first show in Denver) is Theatre Group (TOB). While they have gone through some changes over the years and the consistency hasn't always been there, I still go back because I like their work, their commitment to the gay community, and that they attract some of the best up and coming talent in town.

Andy Anderson in The Foreigner

Q. What type of shows do you enjoy watching?
A. It's really across the board. I love a good heavy drama as much as a silly farce, musicals as well as straight shows.

Q. What makes a "good" show?
A. For me it comes down to a great writing and a fabulous cast. If you have both, I don't care about the venue, set, costumes, etc. It will be a great night. If you have neither, I don't care how much money you spend, it won't be enjoyable for me.

Q. What makes a "bad" show?
A. There are a lot of variables (see above, i.e. bad writing, weak cast), but I think it really comes down to attitude and passion. When you can tell the actors are giving it their all and are really committed to what they're doing, it can be a good show, despite other weaknesses. If they are not giving you that, however, nothing can make it a good show.

Anderson with the cast of Music From a Sparkling Planet

Q. How can we get more people excited about live, local theatre?
A. I think we need to be a little more collaborative as a community. Cross promotion and working with, rather than against, each other is a really good start. I also think we need to start trusting audiences to come and see new and innovative theatre. Constantly re-doing the same old "classics" simply because "they sell" is not respectful to the audience nor is it creatively interesting.

 Q. What is your favorite play or musical?
A. Since you said play or musical I'm giving both! My favorite play isWho's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and my favorite musical is The Man of La Mancha.

Q. What does the average theatre patron not know about live theatre?
A. Well if you've ever attended a talkback, it would seem to be, "How do you memorize all those lines?" But seriously, I'd say they don't know about the quality work being done in places other than the Denver Center and the Arvada Center. Most people, when they say they go to theatre, are seeing "Les Miz" or "Joseph" or some other touring-type Broadway show. And they have NO IDEA what else is going on in this vast community of talented people and companies.

Q. What have been your favorite roles?
A. Harold Hill in The Music Man, John Barrymore in I Hate Hamlet, and Miller Burke in Music From a Sparkling Planet.

Q. Where can we see you next?
A. Next up is Nightwatch in Evergreen and then Little Foxes with Vintage Theatre at 17th and Vine.

Q. What's one movie can you recite line for line?
A. It's a Wonderful Life   "Look, daddy. Teacher says, 'Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.'"  "That's right. Atta boy,
Clarence!"

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