"White Christmas" National Tour Company. Jeremy Daniel Photography.
Conrad John Schuck is on a stop in Denver, touring for his fifth season with the national company of a "White Christmas." And, he couldn't be happier.
"I block out three months every year for this production," says Schuck, who comes to Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center starting Dec. 25, when the show begin its run here. He plays General Waverly in the story adapted from the 1954 comedy musical-romance that starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney.
Makayla Joy Connolly, Conrad John Shuck, and Karen Ziemba.
"Irving Berlin's White Christmas," the stage musical, follows much of the same story: "a song and dance team puts on a show in a magical Vermont inn, they meet a sister act, and along the way they run into their commander who is having financial troubles – his inn is failing.
"He's not a happy camper," explains Schuck of his character. "The place is losing money and his mood is not good. He's happy to see his fellas, but he's slightly lost, and he remains that way throughout the show. But then some things happens that cause him to discover truths about himself. (The general) addresses his troops at the end and it's a lovely moment. That's why I took the part because what happens from the first time the audience sees him to the last time we see him, well it's fun for an actor to play. I thought I could really do something with it."
Schuck says he's had more of his share of fun as an actor through his 60 year career, and it still hasn't stopped. He's slowed down a bit, and says he's become choosy in the parts he selects.
National Tour Company. Jeremy Daniel Photography.
You may not know his name, or you just might, but you do know his face. Trekkies know him from one of his most memorable roles, in which he was unrecognizable.
In 1986, he played Klingon ambassador Kamarag in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" and reprised his role in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country."
LEFT: Kerry Conte and Kelly Sheehan, "White Christmas" National Tour Company. Jeremy Daniel Photography." /> RIGHT: Kelly Sheehan, Jeremy Benton, Sean Montgomery, Kerry Conte, "White Christmas" National Tour Company. Jeremy Daniel Photography.
LEFT: Kerry Conte and Kelly Sheehan, "White Christmas" National Tour Company. Jeremy Daniel Photography.
"I was the first Klingon to speak Klingonese," he recalls, adding that being part of the "Star Trek" franchise for him was like, as he says, "being part of Americana." He almost didn't get the part because, at the time, he was told he was too young for it, but as he sat in the casting office, there was a drawing of Kamarag by designer Robert Fletcher on an easel. "I pointed to it and said, 'my five year old could wear that costume and make up and no one would know how old he is.' "
White Christmas comes to the Adrienne Arsht Center.
He read for the part and got it. He says the character appealed to him because it felt theatrical. "I loved the bigness of it. It felt like being on stage."
While he's appeared on television ("McMillian and Wife," guest spots on "Law and Order,"), movies – he was directed by Robert Altman in the movie "M*A*S*H," and other films, theater is his first love.
"When I was five, my parents took me to see 'Oklahoma,' and I knew then I wanted to be an actor, or maybe I wanted to be a cowboy," he jokes.
One of the theatrical roles he is most known for is as Daddy Warbucks in the 2006 Broadway revival of "Annie," and in which he toured in nationally.
For "White Christmas," he says it's a great feel good show for this time of year, "something with music and tap dancing and a wonderful story." And, he adds, a cast that "doesn't have a weak link in it." He especially mentions co-star Karen Ziemba, the Tony Award winning actress, who he says is a class act.
"This show is played with honesty and conviction and, well, it's just extraordinary. I see no reason why you shouldn't come and see it. I promise you'll have a blast."
"Irving Berlin's White Christmas" plays at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts for a limited one week run Dec. 25 to 30. Tickets are available now through the Arsht Center Box Office in person at 1300 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33132, by calling 305.949.6722, or online at www.arshtcenter.org. Ticket prices start at $34.
