Now Playing
-or-
Tim Martin Gleason IS The Phantom of the Opera. Photo: Courtesy Broadway in Detroit
A FEW MINUTES WITH: Tim Martin Gleason of The Phantom of the Opera at the Detroit Opera House
By Donald V. Calamia
The longest-running show in Broadway history, The Phantom of the Opera, makes its debut at the Detroit Opera House Sept. 8 with Tim Martin Gleason in the title role. Gleason is also a Phantom record-holder, and he talked recently with EncoreMichigan.com about his long history with the show - and how it all came about because of a decision he made in his mid 20s.
You've had quite a journey with The Phantom. In 2001 you started in the ensemble, and now you're playing the masked man himself. When you first joined the company eight years ago, did you ever in your wildest dreams imagine that you'd one day move into the lead role?
To be completely honest...Yes. I have always set high goals for myself, and when I first started the show in the ensemble, I knew I had the talent and the drive to get there. Of course, it takes a little bit more than just drive and talent...like a little luck and some timing, but I always thought it was possible.
In between the ensemble and the role of The Phantom you also set a record: You're the longest running Raoul in American history, having performed it more than 2,600 times. You played it on the road, you played it on Broadway, and you were the original Raoul of the Las Vegas production. It sounds like you were ready for a change! (laughs) How does an actor keep a role fresh after the first 1,000 performances, let alone almost three times that number?
I can't believe it myself that I have played Raoul that many times. It helps that over the years, as Raoul, I had done the show with 13 different Christines and have worked with 3 different companies. That has certainly helped keep it fresh and new. A nice paycheck helps, as well, and if you want that to keep coming, you have to make sure you are always on your game. Wanting a family, a home and somewhat of a "normal life" eventually makes that paycheck a very welcome occurrence, so it isn't hard to use that as incentive when it gets a little tough trying to keep it fresh.
What's even more interesting is the fact that you didn't set out to be an actor. You earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and had a business career for a handful of years before you decided to pursue acting. At what age were you when you made the switch? And what prompted the move?
I was 25 when the bug truly "bit me." I think complete and utter boredom in the corporate world is what prompted the move. I never really had any goals coming out of school and thought it would all just fall into place and happiness would find me. Oops! That was a tough lesson to learn.
But thankfully, with the support of friends and family, I was able to slam on the brakes and start over. Once I knew this is what I was SUPPOSED to be doing, then it was easy, even when it was tough.
Were you involved in theater as a kid? Or in college? And if so, why didn't you major in theater in college? It couldn't have been because of a lack of talent!
I started singing when I was about 6 or 7. There was a children's choir at church that my two older sisters sang in and they dragged me along. Being the youngest of four, I was always starved for attention, so the stage was a natural progression, I suppose.
I did theater all through high school and college, but only as a hobby. It never, EVER crossed my mind to do it for a living. I just never thought I was good enough, to be honest.
How difficult was it to switch gears from business to theater? At the time, did you feel like you were running behind some of the other performers who came into industry right after college (or high school, even)? Or did your business experience work in your favor?
It definitely felt like I needed to make up for lost time. I was 27, and was not getting any younger.
The toughest part for me was the idea that I was a 27-year-old guy starting over with nothing saved and no career to speak of. The first two years were rotten. But my sisters, one who had an amazing apartment in NYC and let me sleep on her couch for free for an ENTIRE year, and the other who lent me money whenever I asked for it, they were really the main reasons how I was able to really plug away and eventually make it.
Since then, I have my own couch to sleep on and all monies have been paid back, with a little interest to boot!
Phantom is the longest-running musical in Broadway history. As a veteran of the show, why do you think that is? What's the appeal?
It is done right. No penny is spared for this show. Costumes are amazing; special effects are breathtaking, the music is haunting, and the story is so universal...not feeling good enough to get the one you love.
After playing Raoul for so long, do you ever have momentary lapses during a performance where you have to catch yourself from slipping back into that character's dialogue or songs?
Not anymore. Now that I am Phantom for good, I have been able to let Raoul go without a problem.
But when I was Raoul during that seven-year run, I was also a Phantom understudy. So, I had gone on as the Phantom well over 100 times during that stint. Now THAT is where it got interesting.
Sometimes, on a two-show day, I would play Raoul for the first show and Phantom for the second, or vice versa. There are two scenes where the Phantom and Raoul are in, together, and trying to keep that straight was a real pain in the butt. But, thankfully, I was able to get through it without any mistakes that were so obvious, the audience would notice.
ABOUT TIM MARTIN GLEASON:
After completing a record-setting tenure as Raoul with three different American companies of Phantom, Tim returns to the national tour, this time as the masked man. He began his Phantom journey with this very company in 2001 as member of the ensemble. He quickly took over the role of Raoul, which he played for over three years. He then had the honor of playing Raoul for the record-breaking Broadway Company when Phantom became the longest-running show in Broadway history. He next originated the role of Raoul forPhantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular. In September 2007 he rejoined the Broadway cast for an additional year and a half. With his time in all three companies, Gleason is the longest-running Raoul in American history, playing the role more than 2,600 times. Gleason received a bachelor's degree in psychology from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia and actually pursued a business career for four years before deciding to become an actor. Prior to Phantom, he has originated several roles, including Romeo in Terrence Mann's musical Romeo & Juliet at Goodspeed and Adam Gernstein in The Rhythm Club at Signature Theatre, a role for which he received a prestigious Helen Hayes Award nomination. He has performed in theaters all across the country. Mr. Gleason is a proud member of AEA.
SHOW DETAILS:
Broadway in Detroit at the Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway St., Detroit. Tuesday through Sunday, Sept. 8 - 27. Tickets begin at $23. For information: 313-872-1000 or www.broadwayindetroit.com.
Click here to comment on this story
Show times
