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Introducing Ethan O'Krafka as Frederic Charlus/Ensemble and Samuel Reeves as Father Dupin/St. Aphrodisius/Ensemble!
* Some answers have been edited for length or clarity.
ETHAN O'KRAFKA: (AGE: 19)
Favourite Musical: The Book of Mormon
Favourite Musical Character: Elder Cunningham, The Book of Mormon
Musical I Think Is Underrated: Falsettos
Favourite Song From a Musical: "I Believe," The Book of Mormon
Musical Dream Role: Inspector Javert, Les Miserables
Favourite Musical Role I've Played: Brujon, Les Miserables
SAMUEL REEVES: (AGE: 23, GRADE: University)
Favourite Musical: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812
Guilty Pleasure Musical: Nevermore or Jekyll and Hyde
Musical I Think Is Underrated: Be More Chill
Favourite Song From a Musical: "Being Alive," Company
Musical Dream Role: Judas Iscariot, Jesus Christ Superstar
Favourite Musical Role I've Played: Father O'Donnell, The Boys in the Photograph
Q1: SINCE BOTH OF YOU ARE POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS, DO YOU HAVE ANYS PLANS FOR PURSUING THEATRE IN THE FUTURE?
ETHAN: My plans are to continue theatre, and pursue film-making in Toronto!
SAMUEL: I am studying at the University of Waterloo with a major in Music and a minor in Theatre, but I hope to study at Randolph Academy or Sheridan for Musical Theatre. I am going to be auditioning for KWMP's Titanic when it comes around, and hope to do future Penny & Pound shows.
Q2: HOW MANY PRODUCTIONS HAVE YOU BEEN IN?
ETHAN: This will be my eighth production in total, and my sixth with Penny & Pound!
SAMUEL: This is my fifth full scale production, and of the five it is my third musical.
ETHAN Q1: YOU'RE RELATIVELY NEW TO MUSICAL THEATRE. HOW DO YOU THINK YOU'VE GROWN IN YOUR MUSICAL ABILITIES SINCE LAST SEASON?
ETHAN: I feel like I have grown a lot since last season because of the talented people in the musicals. I've been learning a lot from them by listening to how they sing and what techniques they use. I don't think I would be growing as a singer without them!
SAMUEL Q1: WERE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE STORY OF ST. APHRODISIUS? WHAT SORT OF RESEARCH DID YOU HAVE TO DO?
SAMUEL: I wasn't too familiar with St. Aphrodisius. A lot of this is understanding that I am playing a statue of a saint, and more than that, I am Quasimoto's understanding of the story of Mary and Joseph's Flight into Egypt. Whether I am real or a figment of Quasimodo's imagination doesn't matter, but what I inspire in him is what matters.
ETHAN Q2: DO YOU HAVE ANY SIMILARITIES TO THE CHARACTER OF FREDERIC CHARLUS? DIFFERENCES?
ETHAN: I feel like myself and my character have a lot in common. We would both do anything for our friends, we both follow our own moral codes and we're both strapping young men ;)
SAMUEL Q2: HOW HAS YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE BEEN WITH P&P THUS FAR?
SAMUEL: I am impressed by how quick everyone is picking up the musical! Everyone wants to be here, and rehearsals are really enjoyable!
ETHAN Q3: HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY PREPARE FOR A ROLE?
ETHAN: I usually prepare by getting into the head of my character, and try to understand why he does what he does. What is he like when no one is watching?
Being fully into your character and being your character even when you're not onstage is the key to success in theatre.
SAMUEL Q3: WHAT IS IT LIKE PLAYING MULTIPLE CHARACTERS IN THIS SHOW? HOW DO YOU TRANSITION BETWEEN THEM?
SAMUEL: When I think of St. Aphro, I think of a graceful care, something almost paternal, he is only with Quasimodo for a second, but all that time is spent supporting and putting him on the right path. Whereas Father Dupin can possibly be seen as a reason why Dom Claude Frollo became so black and white and judgmental. Like St. Aphro, he is only present for a moment, but that moment is spiteful, and sends Frollo along a path of judgement. The hard part is keeping the voices unique: St. Aphro is lyrical and full of smooth legato phrases, think of a choir boy (which I am); and Father Dupin calls for a bigger sound that is very bass heavy and really drives the words. I have to make sure to show in four bars all the piety and judge mentality that I can.
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