Daniel Does DFW Theater
Take a listen as Daniel interviews local DFW Theater artists on... Daniel Does DFW Theater! Watch this Vodcast at: www.youtube.com/@danieldoesdfw
Daniel Does DFW Theater
His Tragedy: The Musical (with Mark Quach)
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Picture the scene: a bustling stage, the laughter of friends, and an unforgettable journey through the highs and lows of theater life. That's what you're in for as we sit down with the THE Mark Quach, a true master of the theatrical arts. From our chance meeting amid the quirky characters of "Spelling Bee" to mutual friends, this episode is a heartfelt nod to the connections and memories we cherish in the Dallas-Fort Worth theater scene.
Cue the spotlight on those endearing, sometimes cringe-worthy, stage blunders that every performer knows all too well. Mark regales us with tales that will have you in stitches—from a surprise tumble in "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" to an on-stage faux pas during "Sweeney Todd." But it's not all pratfalls and missteps; we also peel back the curtain on Mark's dream roles. This chapter of our conversation is a testament to the unpredictable excitement that only live performance can bring.
From the sparkling seas with Disney Cruises to the ambition of "His Story," a Texas-sized musical with a "Hamilton" twist, Mark's narrative will sweep you away on an adventure. We'll even step into the dancer's shoes together, breaking down a line dance that will have you tapping along in no time. So, whether you're a theater aficionado, a dance enthusiast, or just someone looking for a good tale, join us for this episode—where every step, misstep, and side-splitting laugh is part of the beautiful dance that is theater.
Creative Team: Daniel Hernandez, Amanda Sims, Natalie Hinds, & Aly Badalamenti
Music By: Elise Wattman
If you want to catch all the action, you can watch the full episode video at YouTube.com/@DanielDoesDFW. Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok: @DanielDoesDFW
Hi guys and welcome back to Daniel Does DFW Theater, where we talk about everything theater. I am Daniel. Yay, I finally figured that out. Yep, that's me Today. On today's episode, I'm super excited because we have a creative on today, someone who you've not only seen on stage, probably backstage as well has done a lot of things, not only here in our area, but all over the seas, so you may have seized them somewhere right? So on today's episode, we have the wonderful, the talented Mark Watt. Thanks for having me. Yeah, thanks for being here. Yeah, of course, I'm so excited. Yes, I'm glad I was like Mark doesn't want to do this. This is below, mark, you were like no let's do it.
Speaker 2No, I'm not below anything.
Speaker 1Plus, I feel like we I'm trying to think of the first time that we actually met. I mean, I don't think I knew you when we both got called up on Spelling Bee stage. No, we did not know each other. Yeah, we didn't, because at Eda Arlington we both went to go see Spelling Bee at the same exact time to see Sinclair, and I'm sure did you know other people in the show as well.
Speaker 2Yeah, I knew Garrett Garrett, I can't stand him. He's amazing. Hey, garrett, and I'm trying to remember who else was in that cast. I think there was a couple more, but it was Garrett and Sinclair for sure.
Speaker 1Yeah, no, wonderful talents All of them. Brett Donovan, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yeah, all great. But yeah, we were both called up. You were dancing for your life up there. I think you even knew the choreography.
Speaker 2No, that's not true, but I've done the show before, so like you were cheating, yeah.
Speaker 1So when they were singing, I was like, okay, let me see if I remember yeah no, everybody's going around in a circle and I was like, what are we doing? And you're like going with it.
Speaker 2It's like I know how this goes yeah and it made me laugh so much.
Speaker 1So, um, uh, that was the first time that I ever like had seen you, seen you, I'm trying to think. The first time that we were entered it was probably through danny, maybe yeah, it was a danny thing so, um, it was definitely one of those moments where and we just were both like talkative people, I think, yeah, that it was like we can talk about anything yeah except for this podcast, it's going to be awkwardly quiet the whole time and that's it.
Speaker 1I just love your energetic like spirit. You, you definitely give off this aura.
Speaker 2It's very sunsetty, no oh, yeah, yeah, tell me more, tell me more. Is it giving like like purple hues, your aura color? Oh, I was trying to fix my hair.
Speaker 1It's already spring, so, um, it's very, yeah, energetic, lively and like. I feel like all of us are attracted to people like that. Right, we all want to hang out with someone like that.
Speaker 2We all want to be friends with someone like that yeah right into your camera right here. You really really like where's my tony?
Speaker 1okay, kidding girl with the stuff you've been doing oh my gosh, I don't know about that no, um, but probably most recently you've seen mark uh in the dfw area area specifically, probably about two seasons ago in kinky boots yeah, uh with uptown players, which that had some of dmw favorites.
Speaker 2What vonda music directed on the music directed um was in it yes, yes, she played uh, I can't remember her name, but like the main girl role.
Speaker 1Yeah, I was gonna say lauren, lauren, lauren, yeah, yeah, yeah did you say kiki palmer? No, she would slay in that show kira, but I was wrong to show with different accents. I was thinking, uh, xanadu, not not not kiki palmer darn
Speaker 4oh gotcha gotcha.
Speaker 2Kiki palmer, yeah, um so. And lee walter, max fl. Like a lot, a lot of really amazing talent, sorry, lee. Yeah, that show was we're doing well in new york. I heard that they just won their first like drag competition or something on on social media. I don't know what the competition was, but like way to go, yeah.
Speaker 1um so, speaking of vonda, you were a dya baby. Right, I was, I was. What years were you a member of that way back in the day? Oh man, because you're an old man.
Speaker 2I'm so old. I started when I was in high school, so my first year was 2008. So I'm 16.
Speaker 1And I was a part of it all the way until college.
Speaker 2I can't remember exactly the year I stopped, but I was in that program as a student for at least two to three years and then I was a college intern for about another like three or four years. So I was in that program a lot and I knew Vonda Bowling, I knew Mark Molino, Kelly McCain, which are all prominent people in the DFW area. Kelly McCain is a fantastic choreographer and mark and vonda they're.
Speaker 1they're amazing love, much love, definitely mom and dad. Mom and dad, yeah, area um that have raised so many babies yes, you know, become shining stars. Um, yeah, man, 2008, I was, I born, you're just, you're just 16. It's a wee babe. Yeah, he hasn't even born yet. I don't think. Yeah, yeah, it puts me, yeah yeah, oh, my god 19 now yeah makes sense.
Speaker 2The math is mapping right I was gonna say duh yeah clearly so from dya, did you like?
Speaker 1is that where your love of theater came from, or did did you? Was it instilled earlier in life? Do you have any family members that did theater or anything like that?
Speaker 2So I was the only one in my family well, not the only one, but the only one who did anything theater related. My older sister did dance, which was really, really cool. But I in high school, like my sister, was on these extracurricular activities and things like that and I just wanted to hang out with friends and all those activities that like were after school. So if I knew, if I hung out with friends after school, I would get a ride home. Thanks sis, thanks student council. And then there was one particular day where I had a couple friends who wanted to audition for, like, the school play. I was like, I'll just, I'll join you, I won't audition but I'll hang out with you guys. And one of the one of the girlies at stage fright, she don't want to do it, and so the other one was like well, I don't want to do it alone.
Speaker 2So I was like, okay, I'll, I'll, just I'll go up there. And then I got it cold read I think it was for pinocchio or something and I I got cast in the ensemble and I at the time, as a 14 year old, I was like I made it, it's my time. It's like this is to go. The agents are gonna go to this school play and I'm gonna be the next superstar. Yeah, but that worked out. No, no, unfortunately. No, but um, that was like where it sparked. So I did theater in high school and then, in 2008 specifically, there was like some seniors that were leaving and I got really attached to them and they were doing dya. So I was like, well, I want to spend more time with them. So I did that. That really like solidified everything. I think I want to do this as a career. So it's because of those things that I'm here now nice.
Speaker 1Have you done anything in between that? Or like, have you ever taken a step back from theater, or has it always been theater, theater. This is what I want to do.
Speaker 2You know, like I feel like I don't know if I have like adhd or anything like that. I'm sure I do. But, like I, when I once I like find something I really enjoy, I kind of hyper fixate on it and so I think it's always been kind of like anything theater related ever since I was younger, um, so I've just been doing that really, yeah. But um, I've done other things, that's in the theater world, like I once upon a time I was like on the tech team, like not me, not for me, like I don't don't trust me building any sets they would. I was like the painter. Even then it looked bad. So nothing like tech related. But I have dabbled in choreography and assistant directing and all those other things behind the scenes casting, which I really really do enjoy.
Speaker 1But still, like my number one love is performing yeah, no, I mean, don't hand me a drill at breakdown, because I'm like what, oh?
Speaker 2my god, I used to do um shows at, uh, garland summer musicals, gsm, and at the end of the every contract, every show, we would have to strike and, and, um, some of some of us like figured out. It's like if you go around and act like you're doing something and like count, you have to do anything. It's like you pick up the spike tapes, like oh, like this room, how many, okay, great. And you go to another room and count and you just get out of like all the work, sorry.
Speaker 1All those years of GSM.
Speaker 2I did not pick up a single drill.
Speaker 1So you heard it here Patty Granville come after Mark Reardon those stipends. So you heard it here Patty Granville come after Mark, we're going to take that those stipends, yeah, they're a little, yeah, $35.
Speaker 2It wasn't $35, but it was. But anyways, I'm getting warm.
Speaker 1Now you know, you've heard it here Mark does not work In the text sign. No, no, I feel like completely that you said that you've done a little bit of casting as well.
Speaker 4I know, yeah, some shows with DTC.
Speaker 1Yeah right, you helped with that a little bit, cuz you're part of that casting group yeah, yeah with.
Speaker 2At the time they were. Eyes are bringing beams, but now I think they've separated. I don't know anything else besides that, but during the time I Tea, I was I have no idea. I really don't know the idea, but they had me on as an associate, so I was behind the table helping with casting choices and stuff like that Were you ever like.
Speaker 1oh, do you know what? I'd really be good for this one.
Speaker 2Maybe in the back of my mind way, way back. But like the, the shows that I was casting at the time, it was like sound of music I helped a little bit with into the woods and like I I know like what my is is and for those particular shows I was like you know what, like it's okay for me to sit this out, that's totally okay so it wasn't like tiffany shouldn't do this, it should be me playing.
Speaker 1Oh my god, is that your arch nemesis?
Speaker 3No, no, no.
Speaker 2My arch nemesis, it's. It's the college students, the 20 year olds, who are taking the millennials jobs.
Speaker 1Yeah Cause we're getting old. Stop taking our jobs.
Speaker 2Stop being talented.
Speaker 3Stop being young so we're young, those 20 year olds.
Speaker 1we're sick of you.
Speaker 2Wait, those 20 year olds were sick of you. Wait, that's me, you're right because you're, because you're 16, right, yeah, you're, yeah, no, but, but it would usually usually it would be just um, uh, for like the casting process, will they will get like the main list that, like ali would curate? And I would help, like bring people in and then, if they have opinions about like, um, what do you think between like these two people? I would just like give them my opinion.
Speaker 1Well, this is awkward, because you never brought me in next take, next take, next take so I can just see you like and see, I'm glad it wasn't me, because I would have been like sally, this is going to be a one show. She's going to play every single role on this sheet, right here. Because Sally would do everything at that theater.
Speaker 2if it was me, she's amazing. She's been with that theater for like at least 30 or more than 30 years.
Speaker 1When they said that she's played every single role in Christmas Carol, yes, I was like. I can see her coming out, even as time each.
Speaker 2I'm like god bless us everyone oh my god, right, and she would. She would eat. No crumbs will be left on that stage. You would believe that she is a small crippled boy, because it's sally vale, she can do anything salt she could.
Speaker 1She could read uh, uh like a cookie recipe and I'll be like give her flowers I would believe that cookie was there in front of you just after her reading the recipe, and then you would cry, you would laugh, you would. Did she ever have to audition for shows, or was it like you knew that we were casting her and she didn't have to?
Speaker 2come in um, for as as far as that I know, like at the time, like the barley, they were um, I believe I they were not necessarily like promised certain things, but I do know like they have like in their contract they have to do certain amount of shows and I think, like within the casting process they get like not like they get to pick their roles, but at least casting, like this is what you're assigned. I think they're also open, like if they wanted to audition for other things they have the option to, I believe. I think.
Speaker 1Yeah Goodness. Now, speaking of audition, we're going to take a small little break from our chats to get over to the piano so that Mark can sing one of his audition songs, or something that he sings wonderfully, oh my gosh. So let's see if he actually sings wonderfully. Stay tuned, stay tuned. Alright, so you're gonna sing for us a little bit of an audition song, right, or a song that you really love.
Speaker 3Yes.
Speaker 1Why don't you do a little slate for us?
Speaker 2Hi, my name is Mark. What, what and yes, who? Me and I'll be singing Alone in the Universe from Seussical the Musical.
Speaker 4I'm alone in the universe. So, alone in the universe, I've found magic, but they don't see it. They all call me a lunatic. Call me a lunatic If I stand on my own, so be it. Yes, I can fly around the moon and far beyond the sky, and someday, soon, you will hear my plea, one small voice in the universe, one true friend in the universe who believes in me.
Speaker 2Thanks, thanks, thanks.
Speaker 1Have you ever wanted to play that role before?
Speaker 2Yes, it's so silly, but it's been one of my.
Speaker 1You're such a great JoJo, I'm just kidding.
Speaker 2I'm going to leave Okay.
Speaker 1No, honestly, it's one of my dream roles too. Horton is just like yeah, I think you would kill it Eat. You would eat it up Almost as good as Sally in anything that she does Eat.
Speaker 2You would eat it up Almost as good as Sally in anything that she does Almost as good. Oh my gosh, she can play Horton. Actually I would be sad, I would, goodness, so it can happen.
Speaker 1Somebody give her a contract, so I did want to talk about a big accomplishment of yours. You were posting, posting about, and so I wanted to bring it up because I really wanted to tell everyone about it.
Speaker 2Um mark got um a perfect score on wordle his first try, I did, I did listen, listen, I, I, I don't know what's more thrilling than to like, put in like those five letter, not like five letter or whatever words or whatever, and having it all out green like that was a new accomplishment for me, like I can die happy. I can die happy. For that day I was better than all of you. Do you remember what the word was? It was lingo. It was lingo and I don't know what compelled me to put lingo as the first word. But I was like I just want to see Cause. I was like in my head I was like two vowels, sure, let's do it.
Speaker 1And it was See, I always put the same word, no matter what I always do plain, plain, okay, a-i-n, okay, okay, okay.
Speaker 2Because there's usually an A somewhere and so plane is always my word, but link I never would have put in lingo. I know that's funny, but look at you, yeah, biggest accomplishment we've ever had here on the podcast, it is, it is. Yeah, I'm sorry, mary. Mary, watch out, I'm coming for your place, sir gilbert graham, I'm kidding here's mark's perfect score, right there and immediately the next day I had it in six guesses, so like immediately humbled so and the high horse did not last long speaking of being humbled um, let me not believe.
Speaker 1No, um. Have you ever had a mishap on stage?
Speaker 2personally, yes, yes, and it was with your, uh, I think. No, it was. It was the first year I did it. Um, I did red, uh, rudolph the red-nosed reindeer with danny hallway for a couple of years. Yeah, we were both on that tour together, but before it was a tour it was a sit-down production at the majestic and, um, in the show there's elves.
Speaker 2I was one of the elves and it was exactly like the claymation, so they had like the blue outfits and like the curly toed shoes, and so we had curly toed shoes and the choreography was super, super cute, very, very clean, like, very similar to the claymation, very stylized. And there was this one move where we had like cross our like feet and like do a little twirl. Well, that one day, uh, when I crossed my feet like the curly toad, like snagged to each other and I, of course, like I don't know, I don't know, I was looking out, but like, when I like did the turn, it like swooped me from underneath my feet and I fell, just like just on my ass, just like, like it was so obvious, and the actor playing santa behind me just like started laughing, just started laughing, and that just like added so much insult to injury, but but I got up and I continued it and finished the number like like whatever, and like all stage manager was like off stage being like okay, do you need ice? Like do what do you need, what do you need? And really just me being like a 20 22 year old actor was like just my heart hurts, like I was. I was fine, but it was truly, really embarrassing because it was in the majestic theater, have you?
Speaker 2if you've been, it's, it's so grandiose and it was like packed and just me falling flat on my ass, just like and santa claus is laughing at me, like just you know, like there there's some highs, but that was definitely a low I, I think the cherry on top is Santa laughing at you. Oh yeah, Just full on, just like ah, that's exactly like bad Santa, this little elf, oh my god, I would rename my elf like Folly Over. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, it's just a failure. Elf Tipsy yeah, it's not Hermie, it's that guy Like get him out of here. Yeah, it's not Hermie, it's that guy Like get him out of here Exactly Now.
Speaker 1Have you ever? I know you have a funny story about a show that you went to go see. I believe it was Sweeney Todd. Yes, about someone else having a mishap on stage, yeah.
Speaker 2It was. This was years ago. This was back when it was at the Moody, when it wasn't called the Moody Performance Hall. They did a production, sweeney todd and brian mathis was sweeney fantastic, he's amazing.
Speaker 2Um, I can't remember the actress who played miss lovett, but she was singing by the sea and that that song was just so wordy. Uh, she forgot the lyrics and like how and how. I just remember how it was like she, like she was like up front and center, just like doing her thing and just you can see it's like kind of like a light switch, just kind of go and she just hmm, and then she, so she, she, the whole the rest of the song. She went and was like it was, she was like panicking and she was like she like looked over to brian who she was singing to and he's like he couldn't help her and so I mean I, I I can empathize like it's a wordy song and it's like and it's such, with a lot of people like staring at you, like I can only imagine how much she like died inside. But there was people around me that were like we're not having it and it was. It was a very interesting juxtaposition in the audience. That was with brian mathis. I was love it.
Speaker 1Cut the take, cut the take that was me, and I still don't know that song to this day.
Speaker 2Me neither, so I don't know.
Speaker 1And I mean in the production apparently, in which will have ended, unfortunately, by the time this is broadcast. Mary Grimm, I mean the homegirl is still looking at her words before she walks out because it and I mean there are just so many moments. It's the same melody over and over and it's like which verse am I on? Yeah, and. And she literally says and you can't get off the tracks because it's hard to get back on with that type of song sondheim makes it so difficult to get back on the track.
Speaker 1You know, once you've jumped off, it's like you're either you either need to remember a spot in the future yeah, you can get back on to or you're done for yeah, and so I am with that person because, oh my god, I can't imagine just like well, we're by the sea, just get to the end just is the sheer terror in our face yeah, just would you ever play sweeney? Is that a role?
Speaker 2um, I think that that's again. I know my is and I would. I would gladly be in the audience for that okay, what, what is your is.
Speaker 2I feel like something that's very like light and very kind of like I think, of the productions like the Prom or like Hairspray or like Legally Blonde, like that is like like the bubblegum, like very, very happy contemporary musicals I feel like I'm all up in it, yeah, but something that's more like Sondheim-y or a little bit more classical like I think that is just not my strong suit. I would still love to do it, but I wouldn't be running to those auditions first.
Speaker 1Now, you brought up Legally Blonde, and something that I want to kind of pivot to while I have you on the show is representation as well. Yeah, have we ever seen an?
Speaker 2Asian Elwoods. We have not, and I would love to, at least not in my area.
Speaker 1I have not. I don't think I've seen an Asian Elwoods at all and I mean I feel like we have so many actresses now, yeah, that could take on that role absolutely right. But representation I feel like we have so many actresses now that could take on that role Absolutely Right. But representation, I feel is really really big, specifically for your community right, Absolutely yeah. Where we don't give or get actually enough of it, even within larger I mean here within our area hardly at all.
Speaker 2Yeah, we're definitely a small community, but we are like mighty. You know the asian talent here it's, it's fantastic, but because of the, the lack of opportunities for api actors and again, like this goes back to casting um, it's not necessarily anybody's fault, but it's just. Like you know, the, the default has always been like the cookie cutter, like um, white, ingenue or what have you, and I feel, like dfw is it's getting there, but it's still like five steps backwards versus where, like, places like new york or la or chicago are really, really like making sure that the pieces fit the community that's around them. And again, like we're, we're, we're small, but we're mighty and we're here, we're, we can be the leads that you're looking for, like again, I was recently in an interview with K K E R a, yeah, and an interviewer asked me like my like struggles with just representation in general, and I've never and I've never, I've never been called in for like the romantic lead.
Speaker 2I've never been called in for anything that wasn't like the funny guy. I love being a funny guy, oh my gosh, love it. But you could probably live your life playing lefou, right, oh my gosh. And I would love. But like, why? Why wouldn't like, why not be? You know the beast, so you know why couldn't I be gaston, or why couldn't you know what I mean? Um, which I feel like there's. There's just some more.
Speaker 1There's some more growing to do as a community and I just would love I just love the chance, and I'd love to see other api actors, especially young ones, be given that chance yeah, and I love that you had the opportunity to even be on the other side of the casting table right To be able to represent that and bring that talent in at the same time. Right, Maybe not even just the API community, but every type of minority. Right, and be able to do that, Because I think that's one thing that we are missing. No Right Is having people on the other side of the table to get to do that. I agree, I agree. So I'm glad that you were able to do that. But I really do feel that our community as a whole theater community as a whole, has taken a shift. Right, Even thoroughly modern Millie. Right when Mrs Mears, where people were doing what they were not supposed to be doing Exactly.
Speaker 2basically, yellow face, yes.
Speaker 1Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1Right when that would not fly anymore at all. Hopefully that would not fly anymore at all. Hopefully that would not fly anymore at all, um, but we really need to think about that right of even if we are doing productions. I and I mean I didn't sorry to call you out gsm, but I mean when they had announced that they were going to do early modern mill yeah yeah, right. And then they went back on it and were like, wait, never mind, we aren't going to do that anymore.
Speaker 2Right, which I'm glad people spoke up about it because, mean, like in the time that that show was out, like I've been in it a couple of times and when I was younger and my mindset at the time was, well, there's an Asian character, I'll finally something I could be in and I don't have to question whether I'm right for or not, versus, like now, looking back on it and realizing it's through the lens of a stereotype that's really harmful to that certain community. So now, knowing the information that I know, now it's like, hey, let's not do these shows that put a marginalized group in a position where they're laughed at or viewed as a joke, because we are people and we are real and we can be so many different things other than just the laughing stock or the bum of the joke.
Speaker 1That's why I was almost excited because they were doing a full rewrite of Early Modern Millie With Ashley Park. Yes, pre-covid, they had announced it with Ashley Park as Millie and then you never heard anything else about it, and so I was really disappointed about that because I was hopeful that, oh, oh, maybe we're going to be able to change the narrative a little bit here, yes, and be able to take it away from you. Know, they're just the butt of the joke, and that's it, because actually because really it is a bad place, because I mean they're bumping into each other.
Speaker 1They're kind of like stupid right, yeah, I hate, that yeah, and so I was hopeful for that and but sadly you know not what happened. Yeah, um so, but speaking of representation, uh, a little bit, we are gonna move into our next segment. You're gonna represent a little bit of your choreography, sure, right, and show some dance moves, and I guess we're gonna see if you can dance too.
Speaker 2We'll see if you can do anything I guess, oh my gosh, all right we'll see you in a bit.
Speaker 3Ah, ah. I'm seeing the same things every day and I want you. Thank you, thank you again. Some things never change.
Speaker 1Some things never change you can dance, thanks, thanks, I'm like what I mean, mark, what it's my last name? Yes, for those of you that did not know, it's pronounced what as in what he can dance and what he can sing.
Speaker 3I had no idea I'm leaving, so make sure you pronounce his name correctly.
Speaker 1It's not Quach or Quach.
Disney Cruises and Jesus Musical Experience
Speaker 2Oh my gosh, there was one. I love you, buffshire. There was one time, there was one time that I auditioned for GSM and he's, he's like he's in his 90s, he's, he is still hanging on, which I love, I do, I really do. I think he's a great man, but he, he, his wife, is chinese, um, and I think he meant it as like very endearing.
Speaker 2But when I was, I was already cast and he was reading, like basically checking the role, like you know, and which I don't know why he did, but he goes, he goes on my name and he goes mark, like he, he, he like donald duck exactly, but like, not in an endearing way, you know. But I was so, like you know, like number one, like goopton gagged, like you know. I kind of like there's a small part of me that loved the read, but like. Secondly, it was like it was in a room full of people I did not know, so that was just like died inside, but that I was I was like 20, so you know, I wish I did, I wish I clacked back buff shirt.
Speaker 2But that was so long ago. Wow, that really triggered a memory I'm here with Mark. But please don't even look. My last name's what, my last name's what.
Speaker 1Now I'm going to play a track of ducks saying Mark's last name. Oh my God. Anyway, what a time. What a time. No, definitely, Speaking of what a time, I do want to talk about your time on the seas a little bit.
Speaker 4Yeah.
Speaker 1Right, Because I mean, you've even, like, originated a role.
Speaker 2I did. I did so a couple seasons ago. I was offered a role in Marvel Day at Sea and because I'm mainstay, I'm allowed to talk about it a little bit. I portrayed Wong, the Sorcerer Supreme, in a show called Strange Academy. It was really, really cool, and I am the only person in this hemisphere to originate that role in this show, because there is a Wong in, I think, disneyland Shanghai. That's where I originated, exactly. Amazing, but yeah, that's the only representation I originated. Oh my God. So yeah, so I got to originate this role and I got to go on a cruise for a couple of months and I loved it and I just finished my second contract with them, which I love dearly and I love.
Speaker 2I can't say anything more amazing about Disney. My time with them has been spectacular and I love it.
Speaker 1I love a good Disney success story because I think you hear of like, at least in my day, right Way back in the day, when people used to live at Disney World, right, and they were like it's not the best thing ever, but like we're getting work right and it's consistent whereas you're like. I love it, I can't wait to go back. Yeah, and you're like let's hit it again and you're living the dream I feel and I was on the Disney Dream.
Speaker 2The Disney Dream was my ship name.
Speaker 1I ship it.
Speaker 2No, but yeah, I ship it. No, but yeah, it was truly. It was a truly great contract.
Speaker 1Well, and I mean honestly just watching, like your TikToks and your Instagram of you on the beach.
Speaker 2Jealous, we love Castaway Caves. Yeah, we love it.
Speaker 1I'm just so jealous of all of that. But do you know what I'm not jealous of? What Something that Mark is going to spill for us today? Oh, something that Mark is going to spill for us today, oh, so Mark was in a little show called and the reason we can also talk about this because contract is over Mark was in a little show called His Story that I did some research on and you should as well.
Speaker 1A high school girl was off at some vocational mission mission in, I think, like africa or something, yeah, and she listened to hamilton once and decided, oh, my goodness, we should have a story like this about jesus and um, it literally sounds, when I listen to the soundtrack, like she used the hamilton backing track, um, for a couple of the songs and wrote her own Jesus story. Like there's rap in it and stuff like that that she wrote. I think she may have put together one song on her own, but everything else you can tell. Music producers helped her out and stuff like that. Right, right, right. Well, they decided to open that show here in Dallas, texas. It was like in Garland, no, not.
Speaker 2Garland, it was in the colony. The colony, that's right. The Grand Scape, the Grand Scape, yep.
Speaker 1And Mark was lucky enough, or unlucky enough, to be a part of that production.
Speaker 3That was in a revival tent, oh my.
Speaker 1God so telling Jesus' story seven nights a week.
Speaker 2However, it was, it was, it was a lot we did. We did eight shows a week. It was eight shows from. We had two days off, but it was like from wednesday to sunday and the, the show that we put up in this tent in the summer, um it was, it was like two hours long and it was all the way sung through, dance through, like it was. It was a lot and you were a swing. I was a swing for it and more on that later, but it was, it was, it was a lot and um, there you know, like I feel like, and on broadway they have, they do eight shows a week and they have like two show days. We would have three show days and it was insane. Yeah, yeah, we did that for I think like a month and a half and then our contract ended and I think a lot of us are very happy that it ended. Yeah, definitely I was happy.
Speaker 1There was just so much around it, because I remember like they really wanted it to blow up. Well, it was produced by the Duck Dynasty people.
Speaker 2Yes, it was yeah. And then also it was produced by another entity which I can't remember the name off the top of my head, but there was two sets of producers, so the Duck Dynasty people, and then there was like actual, like Broadway people who produced it too.
Speaker 1Yeah, which I don't know how long they expected it to run, but they wanted it to blow up here, right? Yes, were they hoping to do City to City and then a Broadway transfer, or was it like so?
Speaker 2it was very unclear because the first day, right, we were all gathered and we had the Broadway director, jeff Kaufman, who did Newsies he was our director. And then we had Bruce, the broadway director, jeff calhoun, who did newsies uh, he was our director. And then we had um bruce lazarus, who was the other producer, and they told us very much like hey, like this is going to be the starfucking big. We're very unsure where we wanted to go, but broadway's the goal. So as, as far as like, is it gonna stay here for a stint of time? Is it gonna tour? Like we're not sure, but like we want to make sure that this goes there. And, of course, like I've never, I've never been in like the new york circuit.
Speaker 2This is like at the time, like was one of the great what ifs. So we were all like is this gonna be the next step to something great? Who knows, and this is before we got into music rehearsals or our content, like that. So we're like okay, like let's do this. And the first like week or so, like all of us were like all in, like yeah, like some, a lot of the music was very like, very Hamilton inspired. But like we were like you know what, like there were some songs that were like bops and we were like into it. And then we're also doing choreography, which our choreographer, eamon Foley, like he was a great, great like choreographer and his movement was like awesome.
Speaker 2But outside of the rehearsal process, that's when, like things started to like take a turn, because again, we were doing this in a tent, we they I think they rented the tent that they used for Peter Pan 360, like years ago. So it was, it was in a tent and they had projections all around. And then our stage Were they flying Jesus around? They were not. What could you imagine? Like pink style? Oh, hey, I'm gonna swing.
Speaker 1That sounds so good they flying Jesus. Well, it reminds me of that mishap. Have you ever seen those videos on YouTube where, like Jesus is rising from the dead and like his harness starts turning and it turns around, and like his robe is like tucked in, oh, and he's like trying to get himself to turn back around? But the more he goes this way, the more it swings this way? Oh my god, I have not, but I look it up.
Speaker 2Look at oh, wow so no flying.
Speaker 2Jesus no, flying Jesus. But we did have a stage that like raised and lowered so like Jesus did like pop up for the ground and stuff like that. We had like this like crown of thorns that lowered so, like in the tech room, when we're like being all presented to this, like we were like, oh, this is like legit, this is gonna be the next big thing. And while we get to the space, um, they were behind again. Like the rehearsal process, like in the rehearsal studio we were like, but as soon as we got to the actual space, they were like behind on building the set, like we didn't have like working restrooms, there was just a lot, of, a lot of things that weren't on time. And as we went into the space, there was like sawdust everywhere and, like some of the younger folks, like oh, what a cool effect.
Speaker 2And me being like we're gonna get sick, we're gonna get so sick. Um, so there was a lot of already, just like you know, kind of like you know what's happening here, but we still, like most of the cast, remain positive. But as like tech started happening, like going forward, there's a lot of things that we were promised like didn't happen, like we're supposed to have, like these tapestries that are supposed to come down and like all these like really cool spectacle elements that just didn't happen. And this is like when the production side like that mostly the choreographers started to take a turn from like being like really, really great, so, like not so great, and, um, they were. I'm sure there had a lot of pressure behind them, but like we felt the brunt of it and again, like this was a non-equity production, so they ran us ragged.
Speaker 2And it was this when it was going up. We were rehearsing in late spring, early summer and, as you living here, the summers were awful. And like the ac situation in that tent, because like things were still being built, it was like it would work one day and then it wouldn't work. Like people started getting like heat stroke. We had a cast member who got overheated and like started throwing up and fainting like it was. It was a lot, it was a lot.
Speaker 2And this is we haven't even opened yet. And again, like remember, when I said we didn't have working restrooms, we didn't have working restrooms. We were supposed to open on a certain day, literally, the fire marshal came in, was like this we can't have this happen. And so we had to postpone, like our previews because we didn't have working restrooms and so that, just it set a precedent of like, oh, like what's here, and yet, like the social media side of it is like pulling, like blasting, like oh, it's going to be this, it's going to be that, it's going to be whatever. And yet we're over here, like struggling for our lives. We went through, like we opened with like the first preview and this, this tent. It held, I think about it was like a thousand and three hundred people. It was. It held, I think, about 1,300 people. It was a lot. It was a lot of seats that were being sold and opening night it was almost all filled which was amazing.
Theatrical Production Chaos and Resignation
Speaker 2And so in our heads we're like, wow, if this is going to be the norm, this is going to recoup all the money. It's going to be great, gonna recoup all the money, it's gonna be great. But because it sat so many people besides opening night, like it just say, even if they were selling like 100 or 200 tickets they were all dispersed. So when we performed, it looked like we were performing for ants, like it was so empty and we were doing eight shows a week crazy, crazy, town and um, so that was very interesting. And then when in our contract which we we read and we like unfortunately agreed to, but they also said like during they had the right to either change their schedule. So what that meant was like, if it was like a certain weekend, they're able to add. So like there were some weeks where our performance from like from eight shows a week to 13 shows a week. It was, it was wild, it was really wild. And on top of that, I was a swing for it.
Speaker 2On the second day performances, one of our actors got a concussion and yeah, very, it just again, it was an accident. Like, yeah, it sucked. It was an accident. Like, yeah, it sucked, it happened and I covered for him. So, like at this whole this whole rehearsal process, like as a swing, uh, for this particular one, like their, their main goal was just to make sure that the main cast like had the stage time. We got the ins and outs, which I totally get, but what that meant is like I had to rehearse on my own time. I had to rehearse like literally like sitting in the audience or what have you, and again like in this space like there was. There was no other like rehearsal room, it was just sitting there. So like I didn't get to run anything with anybody. So I was like kind of thrown to the wolves. Thankfully I did it, but like this choreography had so much like intricate lifts and a lot of like ins and outs. Everybody was like in contact with each other. So it wasn't like oh, like you're on for one number, you get to go off and review Once you're on. You're on.
Speaker 2So it was one of the most stressful things I had to do and throughout the run, there was people that I specifically covered kept getting sick. So I had to like then split track my like roles, because that's just how things were divvied up. Uh, and so like some other swings, like at times would try to like pick up the pieces, but again it just didn't make sense that way and so I was having to work like double over time, no extra pay, no, like again, eight, eight shows a week, like trying to catch up my endurance to perform. And yeah, it was. It was. It was so bad, it was blistering hot and we were performing for like nobody and I was like how how can this keep going? And at a certain time, like again, because we were performing so much and like people were going out left and right, like the main concern for the swings was like we need more coverage, we need more help, we need, um, well, we just need more help. And like like the company manager was very much like we're working on that. They weren't working on that because there was like trouble in paradise.
Speaker 2Like the producers, like the theatrical side wanted to like sell a certain way and then the Duck Dynasty people wanted to sell it a certain way. So it was a clash of how they wanted this to go, because there was a certain set of people I'm sure you can guess who wanted to cater to the megachurches and wanted to have prayer nights after shows. So on certain days patrons would get free tickets if they stayed after for prayer. So those shows sold out like crazy, sold out again great shows. But then how will we make money? And so when it came down to it, when one of the producers was like we don't want to, we don't want to like sell it a certain way because, like they, they they had comments about like, oh, like, certain costumes look weird. Like one of our ensemble members had a kilt which is, you know, cool, slay, awesome, but they were concerned, like oh, it's a man in a skirt. We don't want that. In the story of jesus, which was I know jesus wore.
Speaker 2They all wore ropes, are you kidding? They were all like dangling all under there. So it was like weird things like like that, or you know what I mean. Um, and they would try to like change like certain things of the story. It was just the the producer side was just, it was crazy. So half of them decided to pull out. Um, the show didn't necessarily run out of money, but they decided to pull out. And then that show was too big for like one set of producers to like mount. So it came into like a way of like can the theatrical producers find another producer to come in and help or we have to end it.
Speaker 2And at that point, like a lot of the cast members were unhappy, myself included. Like people were like on their last thread, people were getting sick, people were getting heat stroke. It was just, it was not a good time. It was not a good time. And on top of that, like I think the show was okay for what it was.
Speaker 2But like when are you ever in a position where, like when the job that's supposed to be like nurturing you, giving you artistic fulfillment, is like harming you? So that's where it came like yeah, this has to end and there was a point where they told us that, hey, this might be our last weekend, we'll let you know an answer by X amount of date. And that time, like that, was like an out for me and I emailed everybody, literally everybody, like was in the production team and the stage manager team, the producers I was like no matter, that was in the production team and the stage manager team, the producers I was like no matter, like how this goes, this will be my final weekend. Like, thank you so much. Like it was, it was just bad. I've never quit a production ever in my life. And that was like I was done, it was not, it was no bueno, no bueno, goodness.
Speaker 1Wow, and that was his story, his tragedy, his tragedy. Wow, and that was his story, his tragedy, his tragedy. Just yeah, yeah, and I I not to say I wanted to go see the show, but I wanted to see the show, yeah, just because you were in it and there was somebody else in it who was local that we know. I can't remember who it was um there um, his name is justin.
Speaker 2He's a six flags boy. There was a couple of locals yes, logan, he was local, but there was a lot of out-of-towners. But Max, max, he played Jesus. He's from Plano, he's a New York boy, but yeah.
Speaker 1Yeah, no, and I kind of wanted to see it, just to see if you know Lin-Manuel Miranda would sue at some point. That's what I was waiting for, oh my god, but I was sad, well, kind of sad, but now that I know man, that's just so much, I can't imagine it was so much. Yeah, especially the whole conditions, I think, where that's not fair to y'all.
Speaker 2No, it wasn't.
Speaker 1I mean you may be telling Jesus a story. I mean you may be telling Jesus a story, but you don't have to also live his life.
Speaker 2Exactly, exactly, like we were truly fighting for our lives. We were fighting for our lives, fighting for our lives? Yeah, we were.
Speaker 1Yeah, I understand Jesus, probably like peed in a pot, but I'm not.
Speaker 2Those restrooms always backed up. They did, and like it was just. I just I'm getting hot thinking about it. Yeah, it's just, it was yeah. And like not to say that there weren't great people involved. Like all, like all the actors were fantastic. The actors from New York, they were fantastic. Some of the stage management, like Leo Fitzgerald, like fantastic, love them.
Speaker 1It's just, we were all put in the situation that was just like a shithole and no, that just sucks, because no, I mean, but you're out of it now, yes, goodbye, you are free. Yeah, of it, it has died. It will not resurrect, hopefully, yeah. Oh, I want to say, did I see it being advertised for another city, or something?
Speaker 2or a licensing, yeah, which, like if another company decides to put it on like best of luck, call mark people. No, I will not.
Speaker 1I will not be a part of it, absolutely not no mark knows every single track, so he will go ahead. He would like to play mary magdalene and sing.
Speaker 2I don't know how to love see like I would like jesus christ superstar, I would love to be in that show. Godspell, love to be in that show. His story, no I that just.
Speaker 1Yeah, I can't imagine it was it just, and I'm sure that girl made some kind of.
Speaker 2I hope she made some kind of money from it, yeah, and the thing is like, I think she, she's actually, she's a cool person, anna, she's, she's great, like, do I believe that she did make music from it? Yeah, and the thing is, I think she's actually she's a cool person, anna, she's great. Do I believe that she did make music from it? Yes, but also between you and me, I do feel like there was oh and them, yes and them, but I feel like there was maybe help from outside, which is fine, which is fine.
Speaker 2Yeah, use a little bit of help right um whether it's my meds, or yeah, we all use a little bit of help, uh, so but no, uh, that's over and done with goodbye.
Speaker 1Thank you for sharing that story. Oh my god, um the uh. I do want to thank you for being here today, as well as one of our guests. I appreciate you coming on and sharing. Yeah, yeah, cheers to that for sure, cheers. I had a grand old gay time and I hope you did as well. I did Wonderful. So I do just want to tell everyone, make sure you follow us on social media Instagram, facebook, subscribe on YouTube. Make sure you are downloading and following on Apple Podcasts, spotify, wherever you listen, so you can keep up today with all of our episodes, and you can listen to Mark's every single day if you want to, or watch it right, because I think it's great if you want to plug any socials that.
Speaker 2You have sure. My Instagram is Mark M-A-R-K-Q-U-A-C-H. That's also my Twitter. No, no, no quacking, and you can find me on Facebook.
Speaker 1Do you have any upcoming projects or anything that you can talk about?
Speaker 2I am a part of something, but I don't think I can talk about it just yet.
Speaker 1But keep on the lookout. All right, we have one more segment to do after this that I'm really, really excited about. Mark is going to teach me a dance, so stay tuned to watch that. Bye Hang on, see you guys. Bye.
Speaker 2Hey friends, my name is Mark White. Again, I'm going to teach Daniel a little dance today. Daniel, yeah, are you ready? Yeah, he changed costumes. Come on come on, just come on over here. This is where you add the sound effect.
Speaker 1I'm ready. I've been waiting my whole life for this. Let's do it All right.
Speaker 2Let's do it. Here we go. Here we go. We will be doing you had a matching. Why didn't you change it to yours? I left it at home. Well, that's awkward, but we'll be doing the TikTok trend, the Texas Hold'em by Beyonce.
Speaker 1That's not the one that I practiced. You told me it was the other one, cut the tape.
Speaker 3Cut the tape. Okay, let's do it.
Speaker 1Let's do it Okay awesome awesome, awesome, all right, okay so we start off with our hands.
Speaker 2We have our belt loops, right? We don't actually have belt loops but just have them right here, okay, and then we have one, two, three, four, three, four yes, got it and then five and six and seven, eight.
Speaker 3So we're going to step with your right Five, five, six and seven.
Speaker 2eight Got to get the dip in.
Speaker 1Exactly.
Speaker 2Exactly, yes, perfect, perfect. And from get the dip in Exactly exactly, yes, perfect, perfect. And from do you want to start from the again? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So we have. Let me count you in Five, six, seven, eight, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.
Speaker 3Yeah, yeah, yeah, you got it, I got it, yeah.
Speaker 2Amazing, amazing.
Speaker 4So that's yeah, yeah you got it Amazing, amazing.
Speaker 2So that's hey, yes, yes, you got it, and then we have. Then we're gonna have a little pot over right to this side, so step with your right back.
Line Dance Choreography Breakdown
Speaker 3Yes, exactly, just like that.
Speaker 2And then from here, we're gonna sway our hips to the left, to the right, and our hips are gonna go forward to the left, to the right, and our hips are gonna go forward to the left back. Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes. So think, left right around, yes, yes, yes. And then we can. And for this we don't have a cowboy from habit. If you wanted to, you can around the cowboy him, yes exactly like that yeah yeah, yeah, so from the putt of the right, so we have it Left right, hey.
Speaker 4Amazing.
Speaker 1Yeah, yeah, keep going keep going.
Speaker 2And then we have our little pumps right here, we're going to pump twice, pump, pump, and then we're going to throw it around, hey, and we're going to throw up our keys and snap it away.
Speaker 1Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, you got that. What's the count on that?
Speaker 2So that's one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, okay, yes, okay, and keep going. Then we have one, two, three, four, pot of Bray this way, five and six. Two, three, four, putter right this way, five and six, seven, chug, eight.
Speaker 4Oh.
Speaker 2Seven chug yeah, yeah. So from here we have huh chug chug, here chug eight. Keep it up, Okay, yeah, you got it.
Speaker 4You got it. Okay, okay, okay, awesome, from here I'm just going to keep going.
Speaker 2Yeah, no, yeah, yeah you got it, you got it, okay, okay, okay, okay, awesome, from here I'm just going to keep going. We can get closer, yeah, no, yeah. And then from here we have, we're going to slap our knee One, two, three, four.
Speaker 3Okay, yeah, you got that.
Speaker 1Yeah, and then yeah exactly.
Speaker 2Three, four, and this is where you can six, seven, eight. Yes, it's a family show, right? Oh, you're good, you're good. And then from here we're going to scoop down, here, roll it up.
Speaker 4No, I'm trying to remember.
Speaker 2Yes yes, down here, roll it up, do-si-do Finger guns, and then we're going to take our right hand. Sway sway, wait, swing sway. Both hands hook up.
Speaker 1Ah, so sway, sway, both hands hook up yeah.
Speaker 2Okay, okay, and that's the dance, and you got it Okay.
