| Orville Mendoza Says Hello To Audiences |
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Page 1 of 2 Bye Bye Big GuyA Musical Memorial SpoofPerformance Schedule: Monday, August 20, 2007: 11 pm Tuesday, August 21, 2007: 8:15 pm Thursday, August 23, 2007: 3:45 pm Friday, August 24, 2007: 6:30 pm Saturday, August 25, 2007: noon Lucille Lortel Theatre 121 Christopher Street 212-924-2817 byebyebigguy.com  Orville Mendoza  "Bye Bye Big Guy" is a selection of the 2007 New York Fringe Festival  Orville Mendoza and Michelle Ragusa in "Adrift In Macao"--for which Mendoza received a Drama Desk Award nomination When I was at the Drama Desk Awards VIP party, I chatted with Mendoza, who is one of the most gracious people I have met in this business. Now the 30-something Filipino actor from Manila has debuted his latest starring project, "Bye Bye Big Guy" at this year's Fringe Fest. In the fairy-tale-baiting spoof, he played multiple roles such as Hans Clodhopper, 1st Blind Mouse, Emperor, Papa Bear, and Frank Wolf. Mendoza established his Broadway credits with "Pacific Overtures." In addition he has also appeared Off-Broadway in "Romeo & Juliet" (The Public/NYSF-Delacorte), "Antigone" (NAATCO), Ivanov (The Mint), "The Romance of Magno Rubio" (Ma-Yi), and "Rashomon" (Pan Asian Rep.). Orville has also done other actorial stints; he's performed nationally in tours with such big shows as "Miss Saigon" and "The King And I" and regionaly at theaters such as the Long Wharf, La Jolla Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, St. Michael’s Playhouse, The Muny and with East West Players as well as the Philadelphia Theater Company. Plus he's made TV appearances on such series as "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." Q: What made you decide to become an actor? Orville Mendoza: I think I just knew from an early age that I was going to be an artist of some sort. It didn't really seem like a choice to me much like my eye color or my skin color. It became painfully obvious in school that I'd rather be reading Albee than my calculus books. Also, being completely addicted to television during my formative years sealed the deal. I would have killed to have been a Mouseketeer! Q: I could see you as a Mouseketeer. I did see you in "Adrift In Macao" and you blew me away--you were so funny. How did you get that part and what did you do to prepare for it? OM: Thank you for the kind words! My whole time working on "Adrift In Macao" was a complete dream come true. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that this immigrant boy from the Philippines who grew up in the California high desert listening to Broadway show albums (checked out from the local library) would one day live in New York City, make his living as an actor, and originate a role in a new Christopher Durang musical! When I went into my first audition for "Macao," it was one of those rare moments where I read the script and a light just clicked on in my head that said: "I totally know this character... I completely understand this humor!" It felt so comfortable to me. Being the attention-starved ham that I am, I'd been doing these characters my whole life. Tempura was an extension of all these crazy stereotypes that I had grown up seeing. It was very empowering playing this character. I felt it really spoke to just how silly these stereotypes are in a fun non-didactic sort of way. In light of this, I always tried to find the reality in the humor. I find that people laugh the most when there are things that they can identify with. When they can say, "Oh, I do that!" or "Man, I know someone just like that!" That's what makes people belly laugh. So it was a challenge to always stay grounded in reality through the mask of this "stereotype." It also helps to have no shame and not be afraid to look like a complete idiot (I think I have that in spades). I am forever indebted to our brilliant director Sheryl Kaller and to Chris Durang for helping me "stay the course" as it were. Also, Chris is one of the most generous men I've ever worked with. It was an honor working with him and learning from him. Peter Melnick's wonderful music completed and enhanced this zany character. Peter is another generous and wonderful artist. |