Walter Charles

Q & A with Walter Charles who starred as the 'Captain' in the Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway revival of Anything Goes, which played at the Stephen Sondheim Theatr from 10 Mar 2011 - 8 Jul 2012.

Birthday
April 4, 1945.

Place of birth?
East Stroudsburg, Pa.

You now live in?
New York City.

Did you go to training school, if so which one?
Bachelor of Music Degree from Boston University.

As an actor, do you have a preference for stage, tv or film?
Stage, always! Nothing like a live audience.

Your first stage performance was?
Jud in "Oklahoma", Sparta High School I might have had a church school play earlier on.

Career highlight to date?
Replacing George Hearn in La Cage at The Palace Theatre. I played Albin there for about a year and a half.

What roles would you most like to play?
I'd like to give Henry Higgins a shot; love to do Shenandoah again!

What's the best advice you have ever received?
From my agent at the time, Shirley Scully when I was in my early 30's: "Walter, You've got to stick this out until you're in your 40's; you're a character actor, and you've got to age into the roles you're right for."

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?
Missing an entrance.

What is the most annoying part about your job?
I honestly can't think of any!

Briefly tell us how you become involved with Anything Goes?
Kathleen Marshall (Director) contacted my agent, and asked me to come in and audition.

Briefly tell us about the character you play in Anything Goes?
The Captain is obsessed with having celebrities on board his ship, but doesn't like dealing with the public!

If you had not become a performer, what might you have done instead?
Might have ended up either giving piano lessons, or in another aspect of the theatre business.

Who are your favorite actors/actresses?
My favorite actor is Christopher Plummer. Actress? Streep, I guess.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?
Pianist Artur Rubinstein: "What's your fingering in the Chopin Nocturne in D Flat?"

Favorite after-show haunts?
Angus McIndoe, the Belgian cafe across the st. from the theatre.

What was the last book you read, and name some of your favorite authors?
Acting Foolish by Lewis Stadlin. Favorite author: William Styron

What was the last film you saw, and name some of your favorite movies?
Last film: "The King's Speech." Favorite Movie: "Beckett"

Favorite TV programs?
"Six Feet Under," "Dexter"

Favorite holiday destinations?
Anywhere there's a classical music festival.

Do you have any hobbies?
Not really.

Do you have any superstitions?
None.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?
1. Music. 2. Music. 3.Music.

What are your future plans?
After my run in Anything Goes - however long that is - I intend to spend a lot of time at my home in the Catskill Mountains.