Interview: Broadway star Hugh Panaro on MAN WITHOUT A MASK at Crazy Coqs
Hugh Panaro is a Broadway legend, having starring as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom at over 2,500 performances, amongst many other iconic roles. He’s not performed in the West End for 26 years since starring in Showboat in 1998 but is back next month with his cabaret: Man Without a Mask. We caught up with Hugh ahead of his London return.
Where did the idea for this show come from?
That's a very interesting question. My director Richard Jay-Alexander and I had flirted with the idea of doing something artistic for years. Immediately post Covid, I was doing a three-night gig in Palm Springs with my good friend and musical director Joseph Thalken that was a mixture of songs that resonated with me, I think we simply called it "An Evening with Hugh Panaro", not incredibly creative! Richard, along with my friend (and lawyer) Mark Sendroff, came to the final performance. Richard had directed me in Les Miserables on Broadway as well as the Barbra Streisand European tour in 2007 and even though we are friends, I knew he wouldn't hold back with his observations so I was ready for the worst!!! We all went out for hamburgers, and while Richard was complimentary, he also told me I was in the "wrong show" and that if I was interested, he would direct me. I jumped at the opportunity!
How did you go about choosing which songs to perform given you've had such an extensive career and appeared in many classic shows over the years?
Wow, it was difficult and yet also easy, if that makes any sense! We had the "road map" of my career and so many song choices and then it became a question of expectation vs surprise. This where Richard and I "box it out" (this is a good thing you want in a collaborator) and then we get the magic of having Joseph Thalken as the tie-breaking vote if we are not in total agreement!
Why did you decide now was the right time to return to the London stage after 26 years?
When you are launching something as exciting as this, you want to spread the love around! The response has been very exciting. Returning to London after all these years happened pretty organically. My director was in London and went to see a show at Crazy Coqs and absolutely fell in love with the space. He called me immediately and said, "Hughsky, We gotta play Crazy Coqs! It's so glamorous and chic!" Richard told me he had a nice chat with Rebecca Little, Head of Music Programming and said, "Rebecca couldn't be lovelier and she had actually heard of me!" We reached out to Rebecca and here I am!!!! After London, we are playing the entire West Coast of the US, another first for me!
What are you most looking forward to about your return to the UK?
London is one of the greatest cities in the world, OMG, where do I begin? It's an iconic cultural mecca, it's got everything - theatre, dance, fashion, food, architecture!! When I'm not performing at Crazy Coqs, I'll be exploring, walking all over, eating my way through London! One of my happiest memories of London is what I like to call the "Rainbow Eating Tour"! During the run of Showboat at the Prince Edward Theatre in 1998, a few cast mates and I got gussied up and went for afternoon tea at The Waldorf. We then took a walk and somehow ended up at our favourite seafood raw bar near The Prince Edward for some oysters and champagne!! Realising we still had some time to kill before the evening performance, we decided to try a new Indian restaurant close to the theatre. We went for broke and finished off with a cappuccino and flaky, buttery palmier from the bakery on Old Compton Street! Needless to say, my Gaylord Ravenal costume was a bit snug that night!
What has been the highlight of your career to date?
Actually three come to mind for different reasons. When Hal Prince chose me to play the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway for the 25th anniversary production with Sierra Boggess as Christine. Sierra and I had met on The Today Show (a morning TV show in the US) and when you're singing a duet on live TV and sound checking at 5:30am, you bond rather quickly! Hal was a very smart man and playing opposite Sierra was magical - I'll never forget the electricity and joy of that night! I also loved the legendary Mr. Prince because he loved my dog Soot, who used to come to the theatre with me! Another career highlight was playing the O2 Arena in London with Barbra Streisand in 2007. I always say I learned to sing as a child by listening to Barbra and singing along. Barbra is responsible for my breath control. She was and is an idol of mine so looking into those big blue eyes on stage and singing with her in that massive arena was a dream come true. A more personal career highlight was playing Jean Valjean in Les Miserables at the historic MUNY in St. Louis opposite my bestie Norm Lewis as Javert. Richard Jay-Alexander directed us. Norm and I had done Sideshow together on Broadway and of course, Norm had played Javert in London in 2010 as well as the 25th anniversary concert. Our chemistry offstage can be quite silly at times but I'm proud to say that we never tried to crack each other up on stage.
Is there anything in the world of theatre and music that you still hope to achieve in the future?
Absolutely! When the right role comes along I would definitely gear up for the eight show a week marathon. When I did Showboat at the Prince Edward in the West End, George Grizzard played Cap'n Andy . George was 70 and had recently won his first TONY Award for Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance on Broadway. One night after our performance, George took me to the Garrick Club for martinis and I remember marvelling at his incredible energy and stamina and thinking, "I hope that's me someday!" I also love my latest venture into the world of cabaret and I'm still learning and "cutting my teeth". Spoiler alert, we are currently building a new Christmas show and hope to do a Christmas CD as well, so stay tuned!
Based on your experiences so far, what advice would you give to someone just starting out a career in musical theatre?
I'll start with the obvious, definitely study everything you can - music, drama, dance, language. Of course, technique, training, and honing your skills are very important! But, in a sea of so many young actors, I think your biggest super power is your uniqueness. As a young actor, it took me a while to learn to stop trying to please everyone behind the audition table. I discovered I was far more castable once I embraced being my "special self" rather than trying to figure out who I thought they wanted me to be. My mantra - be the most authentic version of yourself.
Hugh Panaro: Man Without a Mask plays at Crazy Coqs in London from 7-9 September, with further info here.
