Tuesday, 5/13/97 Q&A with Jason Alexander THEATER: TV actor
takes to the stage with starring role in ‘Promises, Promises’
By Narissa Pacio Daily Bruin Contributor George Costanza,
otherwise known as Jerry’s obnoxious and neurotic sidekick on the
sitcom "Seinfeld," is well known for his sarcastic retorts and
skirt-chasing traumas. But in the theater world, actor Jason
Alexander is better known for his charismatic singing and fancy
footwork on stage. Although playing the quirky George Costanza won
Alexander two American Comedy Awards for television’s Funniest
Supporting Male, Alexander demonstrates exactly why he also won a
1989 Tony Award for a Broadway performance as he sings and dances
his way through "Promises, Promises." The classic pop musical is
the first in a series of shows titled "Broadway’s Best in Concert."
Presented by Reprise!, a new Los Angeles theater company,
"Promises, Promises" opens May 14 at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse. "I’m
aware that people might say ‘Hey, George is singing!’ while I’m up
on stage. It’s unfortunate, but if that’s all they know of me, it’s
expected," Alexander says. "In New York when you do theater, the
theater audience knows the actors and they know when you are
playing a part that is different from yourself. In television, if
you’ve never met me and you’ve only seen me do George, you assume
I’m like that," Alexander laughs. In "Promises, Promises,"
Alexander strays from his popular television role as he plays Chuck
Baxter, a down-and-out businessman in corporate New York searching
for the love of his life and a boost in his career. Baxter promises
a few favors for the executives at the top in return for career
advancement and ends up with a web of problems, including driving
his love interest into the arms of another man. Despite this more
sympathetic role, Alexander still finds traces of George in his
character. "George and Chuck both see themselves as a little bit
smaller than everyone else. They think of the rest of the world as
giants," Alexander says. "The difference is that George deals with
it by becoming neurotic and aggressive, while Chuck tires to find a
port in the storm – and makes a bad decision." Alexander also says
that Chuck is a much more three-dimensional character than George.
Despite the musical’s stylistic song and dance elements, he finds
more depth in his theater role as Chuck than his television
character. "On ‘Seinfeld,’ we don’t care much about anything except
being funny, so we’ll throw out character integrity and do episodes
like ‘Bizarro,’" Alexander laughs. "The TV show is a wacky thing
that is dedicated to laughter." In an attempt to go further than
getting a few laughs, "Promises, Promises" and the other shows
which are part of the Reprise! Broadway series’ ("Finian’s Rainbow"
and "Wonderful Town") attempt to revive the spirit of musical
theater in Los Angeles. "We chose shows that have wonderful scores
but don’t have much chance at revival due to the expense, unlike
the popular Andrew Lloyd Webber shows that are constantly touring,"
says Marcia Seligson, founder of Reprise! and producer of the
musical series. "The goal was to put up shows at low costs and with
a short run to showcase L.A. talent in these original musicals."
Reprise! also aims to bring in a younger theater crowd and use
theater as an educational tool for the arts. For the dress
rehearsal, Seligson has invited school children and teachers from
the Los Angeles area to see a preview of the show. Alan Thicke, who
plays the villain Mr. Sheldrake in "Promises, Promises" also
recognizes the originality of the show’s aim and presentation
compared to other theater performances. "The casting includes all
Los Angeles film and TV people, giving the show a unique
L.A./California flavor," Thicke says. "The difference between a
California and a New York Broadway show will be evident in these
musicals." Thicke’s own acting roots are in television sitcoms
including the ’80s family comedy "Growing Pains." Alexander adds
that the show creates an interesting blend between a concert
performance and a full Broadway production. "It’s a weird hybrid
because it’s not a concert but it’s not really a performance
either," Alexander says. "We don’t put the demands on it of being a
finished professional piece of theater – we are carrying scripts as
props and just having fun with it. It’s almost like we’re saying
‘Hey! Come watch us do a great big rehearsal!’" While the cast and
crew seems to be having fun practicing their energetic routines on
stage and singing the light pop tunes, the actors have the
challenge of putting up a show in just five short days. "The time
crunch has been the hardest thing to deal with," Thicke says.
Still, others find time to just enjoy what they are doing, since
little money is involved – as Seligson says, they are all doing it
"for the love of theater." "My greatest joy has been the
opportunity to sing Burt Bacharach music and to work opposite Jason
Alexander," says Karen Fineman, who plays Fran Kubelik, the female
lead in "Promises, Promises." "Jason has comic elements to his
personality, but doesn’t at all remind me of George. He’s just
naturally funny. It’s not like he tries to perform a stand-up act
all the time," Fineman says. Although it still might be difficult
for some Los Angeles natives or sitcom junkies to shake that
strange feeling of a singing and dancing "Seinfeld" star, the show
is full of "promises" of what actors can do with musical comedy.
"Promises, Promises" runs May 14-18 at the UCLA Freud Playhouse.
Ticket prices vary per show. For more info call (310) 825-2101.
Reprise! Broadway’s Best in Concert Jason Alexander of "Seinfeld"
fame stars in the musical, "Promises, Promises," running at the
UCLA Freud Playhouse May 14-18.