Peter Flynn
Live Chat Highlights, March 16th, 2005
Trudi: “I saw the show
on Sunday and you were amazing! You totally stole the show! Here’s my question: All the funny little things you
do, swiveling your hips and all – is that all choreographed or is it adlibbed?”
Peter: “It is all mine; associate director says it is all right so long as it stays
true to Lumiere.”
Ty: “My friend is auditioning this summer for a local production of B&B and
really would like to be Lumiere, like you. Do you have any audition tips he should
try? A certain audition song? Suggestions
to win over the casting people? LOL (I’m auditioning for the Beast, btw, so if you have any suggestions that way too…heh
heh.) Thanks for doing this!
Peter: “For Lumiere, ‘Be Our Guest’; for the Beast, ‘If I Can’t
Love Her’. Lumiere should also have another comic number ready. Also, what’s important for him is to be the ‘light’, the positive motor that’s
trying to keep everyone positive about becoming human again. Comedy is a byproduct
of that, not priority.”
Beth: “What inspired you to be Lumiere for B&B?”
Peter: “1) Always been a fan of Gary Beach; it was total inspiration to follow in his
shoes. 2) Having a wife and child.”
Ty: “Can you tell us about the audition process for Lumiere?”
Peter: “First I sang some of my own choice songs, and was called back. For that one, I sang ‘Be Our Guest’ and read the first scene with Cogsworth. Did the same for another call back, and was hired.”
Megan: “What was the three funniest bloopers/mishaps that happened onstage to your
or other cast members?”
Peter: “1) During the recent snow storm, the pyro technician could not make it to the
theater, so I went through the entire show without fire. 2) This week, Maurice
ran over his hat with his invention. 3) When I first joined, the Beast’s
tail fell off, and he adlibbed that he looked like a Chihuahua.”
Trudi: “Which is more satisfying for you, acting or directing? What do you like best about each?”
Peter: “Both are satisfying in their own ways; that’s why I do both continually. Acting satisfies my hunger to sing and crack a joke; directing satisfies my need to
work on a larger basis. Collaborating with everyone involved and lead one whole
story to the very end. Great question!”
Beth: “Was it awkward when you first had the Lumiere costume on?”
Peter: “The costume no, the candles yes. The
pyro technician said the only part of the costume that wasn’t flameproof was the hair.
The first few shows I was paranoid I would light myself on fire.”
Ty: “How long are you currently contracted as Lumiere, and what is your next project?”
Peter: “Right now, I’m on contract till the end of July. Next project: directing two readings of new plays Off-Broadway with the Rattle Stick Theater Company. I’m also the artistic director of a new play festival in CO; doing that for
two weeks in June.”
Megan: “If you couldn’t be an actor or director, what would you be doing instead?”
Peter:
“Teaching Theater in a university. I have taught occasionally at NYU, and
that was extremely satisfying.”
Ty: “Wow! Very busy and obviously talented! Are you theater all the way or would film one day beckon?”
Peter: “Theater is priority, but very interested in pursuing film, mostly as a director.”
Becca: “Did you ever get so into your character that you felt you were actually in
the story?”
Peter: “Yes, I ‘escape’ into my character (with any luck) about 3 or 4
times a week and it’s WONDERFUL when it happens.”
Klaske: “Any difficulty getting out of the character afterwards?”
Peter: “No - Lumiere and I have a lot in common.”
Ty: “Do you remember Santaland Diaries? I
don’t know the show, but it looks fun. Anything to impart?”
Peter: “Santaland Diaries is a riot to work on.
I had a terrific actor, Jesse Tyler Ferguson. As with any hilarious comedy,
stay true to the intention. Real life is funny for a reason!”
Beth: “By chance, have you ever gotten the chance to meet Gary Beach?”
Peter: “Yes, I directed Gary in a concert of ‘Funny Girl’, and he was terrific
both onstage and off. Since then we’ve stayed regularly in touch, and after
my first week as Lumiere, he came to my dressing room to congratulate me, and we sat and talked about the role. He’s a model of a theatre pro.”
Ty: “Can you tell us more about the New Noises Festival in Colorado that you will
be doing?”
Peter: “The New Noises Festival is a week-long festival where I invite a choreographer,
a playwright, and a musical theatre writing team to come out and work on something in each of their disciplines. At the end of the week, we do public performances of their new pieces: the dances, the play, and the musical.
It’s also a place for students of the P.A. to work with professionals from here in the City.”
Ty: “I just read that you are doing your own musical, ‘Lily’, based
on Edith Wharton’s ‘The House of Mirth’! I totally dig Edith! Did you write the story and compose the music?”
Peter: “’Lily’ is a musical for which I wrote the script, and my writing
partner, Brooks Ashmanskas wrote the music and lyrics. (Brooks is currently starring
in ‘The Producers’ as Carmen Ghia.)
Ty: “Has ‘Lily’ been performed yet?”
Peter: “We did a staged reading at the Huntington Theater in Boston, and it’s
being considered for next season by two different theatres in the country. We’ll
see.”
Becca: “Are the candle hands heavy?”
Peter: “Not very. They each weigh about
5 lbs. Made of steel, rubber, and electrical parts.”
Faith: “Have they lightened them? Thought
I read they used to be heavier.”
Peter: “Yes, initially they were a lot heavier because they each had a gyroscope inside
to keep the flame burner upward…until someone realized that a flame always burns upward, so they lost the gyroscope.”
Beth: “Was there any other B&B character you would have performed for if you did
not get Lumiere?”
Peter: “I’d like to play Cogsworth someday just to try the other side of the
conversation (and I think it’s an extremely funny role). It’s like
playing ‘Felix’ for a while after playing ‘Oscar’. But
professionally speaking, I’m not really right for anyone else.”
Ty: “Have you ever seen B&B performed by a high school theater department or
small local theater group?”
Peter: “No, not a live performance. My
young niece sent me a snapshot of her production at her middle school, and I must say it was very innovative!”
Ty: “What’s your favorite line to say in B&B?”
Peter: “My favorite ‘funny’ line is after the Beast says ‘Look at
me!’, and I say ‘He has a point!’. My favorite ‘heart’
line is after Mrs. Potts explains that he’s finally felt love, I say ‘That’s it then! That should break the spell!’ It shows how hopeful Lumiere
is even to the very end.”
