Keith Firstenberg (right) wears many hats as comedian/singer/dancer Neal Tilden |
He’s funny and talented, can sing and dance, and yet he’s
a little insecure about his own abilities.
Whether this describes Keith Firstenberg, or his comedic character Neil
Tilden, is for audiences to decide, but The
1940s Radio Hour actor appears to be well-suited to his role. Keith describes his character as follows: “Neal
Tilden is the resident comic of the Feddington players. He's been with the show from the beginning
just like Ann and Johnny, but for some reason he just doesn't have the ‘star
power’ that they do. He loves being the
go-to guy for all things funny, but wishes they would recognize more of his
singing and dancing talent, because he really does have the skills to do it all
(at least he thinks so.)”
This convergence of actor and character might seem to
simplify Keith’s job, but he says that his “greatest challenge has been keeping
the ‘character’ separate from the ‘self’ because I have a tendency to absorb
aspects of the role that I'm playing. Neal and I are already so very similar. I
relate to his unstated insecurities -- or maybe I'm just projecting my own onto
Neal! I also really enjoy Neal's sense
of humor. Or maybe I just like my own sense
of humor!”
Despite this schizophrenic split, Keith actually does a
good job of keeping it all together on stage, and is a versatile
performer. His scene as a
discombobulated diction coach is sure to have audiences in stiches, and yet he
brings touching vulnerability to his own vocal rendition of Blue Moon. Like his character, Keith is trying hard to
belong and feel at home after recently relocating to this area from Traverse City,
and Minnesota before that. Keith says,
“I've always used theatre to meet people in a new area and I usually find that
they are ‘my people’ and I feel quite comfortable very quickly; The Farmington
Players is no exception.” Keith is “very
pleased with the opportunity that I've been given in this show. I can showcase
my acting, my singing and dancing with a great role and some fun music that one
doesn't get to sing often.”
Keith is making his onstage debut at the Barn
after helping with lights for Little Shop
and sound for Avenue Q and Dixie Swim Club, but he is no stranger
to the stage. A few of his favorite shows/roles
include You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
(Snoopy), Evita (Che), The Foreigner (Charlie), and Fiddler on the Roof (Motel). He has also
appeared in Man of La Mancha, West Side
Story, Noises Off, The Producers, Urinetown, Into the Woods, Cabaret, Biloxi
Blues, An Ideal Husband, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Book of Mathew Lebowitz.
The
1940s Radio Hour opened November 30th and runs through
December 22nd. Reserved seats for this
musical comedy sponsored by Weinstein Jewelers are available now at
www.farmingtonplayers.org or at the box office (248) 553-2955.
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