Music Man Mike:
West Side Story Star Mike Eldred Shares His Thoughts on Singing, Acting, and Bernstein’s Masterpiece
Mike Eldred, the outstanding young tenor who sings the role of Tony on the new Naxos recording of
West Side Story, certainly is a busy man these days. The versatile singer/actor hops between theatre roles, symphony concerts, and recording gigs from week to week. We caught up with him in Chicago (where he is recording a PBS concert series with former Styx frontman Dennis DeYoung) to ask him about his latest recording.
NAXOS: This recording was made September 17-18, 2001. How did the events of September 11th affect the performances of you and the rest of the cast?
Mike: I believe I can speak for everyone when I say that doing the show on the days following September 11th was extremely difficult. Obviously, insignificance was the most overwhelming feeling for me. As far as affecting performance, the cast was unbelievably professional in dealing with the remaining shows. Most of the cast was actually from New York City, so I can't imagine what was going through their minds. I think that most of them just wanted to go home. I do feel like the show served a purpose for the audience by taking their minds off the tragedy for a few moments. Actually, it probably did that for all of us.
NAXOS: Have you ever recorded a musical theatre soundtrack before? What is it like to perform for a recording instead of an audience?
Mike: This is my first musical theatre soundtrack, other than some original works that I have been involved in. I have, however, spent years in the recording studio. I have been a session singer for 15 years in Nashville. The trick to recording a song in the studio is pretending that there is an audience watching everything you do. Acting is so much about believing that you are in that moment, at that very time. Recording should be the same. The key to ANY performance is believing with all your heart in what you are doing at any given moment. If you don't believe it, the audience won't.
NAXOS: How do you prepare for your theatre roles? How did you prepare for West Side Story in particular?
Mike: I have gone as far as shaving my head, wearing earrings, and dressing and talking differently to "begin to live" a role. For Tony it was much simpler. I decided at the very beginning that I couldn't become him. He was going to have to become me. When they asked me to do the role, I truly thought it was a joke. I never imagined myself as "a Tony." But singing the role was different! I knew I could pull that off. I decided to look at the script, look at the character, and then begin to bring myself to the role. So Tony wasn't the youngest, prettiest, dancing-est guy they could find to do it, but I was definitely going to sing it......and approach the character with as much honesty as I could muster.
NAXOS: How is West Side Story unique compared to other musicals?
Mike: Well, the fact that you have street gangs doing incredible ballet dance moves is definitely something that you don't see everyday! The score is also just so amazing. Very punchy, very warm, very dark, very melodic, and extremely passionate in EVERY moment. The most amazing and perhaps shocking difference is that the story's main character is murdered on stage . . . not something that would guarantee commercial success in a world of light-hearted musicals and shows.
NAXOS: Have you been in many professional performances of West Side Story?
Mike: No, this is my first. Some of the other cast members have made a career out of doing this show.
NAXOS: Kenneth Schermerhorn, the conductor on this recording, had a close working relationship with Leonard Bernstein. How do you think Schermerhorn's background and experiences affected his interpretation of the work?
Mike: The Maestro was very passionate about getting an honest performance/recording out of all of us. His knowledge of Bernstein's desires for the score of West Side Story definitely drove him throughout the entire process, on stage and in the studio. I think we all would want this recording to be something that Leonard Bernstein would be proud of.
NAXOS: With a solo CD release earlier this year and now the release of West Side Story, this must be an exciting year for you. How has that affected your work?
Mike: I'm having a blast! Playing Tony on stage has inspired me to try more things that scare the heck out of me. I'm approaching much of what I do now with a different attitude. I'm such a lucky man to be able to do what I love every day and make a living. In the past two years I realized that I've found a new passion . . . performing with a symphony orchestra. I've worked with some great ones like Nashville, Cincinnati, Oklahoma City, Houston. NOTHING compares!
NAXOS: You are a well-known musical theatre actor as well as a concert artist. Do these two roles blend easily for you, or do you keep them fairly separate in your mind?
Mike: I believe that musical theatre is first and foremost about the songs. I am a singer first, so I approach it differently than others. When I go to see a show on Broadway, I expect to hear a great voice singing a great song. Anything less disappoints me. I don't care if it's the most gorgeous woman, or the most virile man, or the most fabulous dancer or actor I've ever seen. I want to hear the songs done well. As a result of this arrogant attitude, and much to my dismay, I must admit that I'm not much of a dancer!
NAXOS: Do you have any other musical aspirations that we should know about?
Mike: To do a complete recording of my own with the Nashville Symphony, a concert at Carnegie Hall, and to learn to dance.
NAXOS: Any closing statements?
Mike: I'm truly honored to be a part of this recording. The entire process from opening night to our last recording day was a pleasure. I hope that our passion for the piece can be heard by everyone who listens.
