BWW Interviews: Manu Narayan

I now begin my sixth year writing for Broadwayworld.com and I can't think of a better way to celebrate the occasion than to write about one of my favorite actors, Manu Narayan. I first encountered him starring in the Broadway musical Bombay Dreams. Then it was great to see him at Baltimore's Center Stage in the musical Boys from Syracuse. What a performance he gave. Now he's back at Center Stage playing the leading role in Cyrano which ends this Sunday, February 7.  

Welcome back to Center Stage. I'll always remember your performance on Broadway in Bombay Dreams. What was it like being in a Broadway show?  

It was great. No question it was one of the highlights of my career. Culturally, it spoke to me and it was great to see such a diverse audience. There's a real community in New York City...so many talented people. I could feel that sense.  We rehearsed for a year, including a London workshop.  It lasted on Broadway for nine months.  

Center Stage has been in the forefront of theaters with color blind casting.  What are your thoughts about it?  

Color blind casting works so well at Center Stage.  It was pretty apparent in Boys from Syracuse. I believe it trains audiences to see the whole world on stage. I'm really happy to being playing the character of Cyrano.  Audiences don't seem to have a problem. Other recent examples were American Idol's Tamyra Grey playing a leading role in Bombay Dreams and now Corbin Bleu ("High School Musical") is playing the lead in In the Heights.  

I'm sure you've noticed that this television series features a number of Indian actors. There seems the networks can't seem to have more than one per show. Some have accents, some don't. What are your thoughts?

Yes, I've noticed it. I've even auditioned for some. I think it's great. It is clearly opening up opportunities, though slowly.  

When I saw the previews to the Mike Myers' film "The Love Guru", I noticed you had a nice part. I had to see it. What was the experience like working with Myers?  

I got an audition and the director Marco Schnabal liked me. I did a reading with Mike before a live audience. He likes to work in front of a live audience to test his jokes and how the script is playing. I never saw this before. He even videotapes the audience and their reactions. There's even a laugh meter to judge where the peaks of laughter are, how long there is between jokes, etc. We had good chemistry. We were in Toronto for four months filming. It was great working with Justin Timberlake and Jessica Alba. Since Myers is from Toronto, all doors were open. He's a real genius. He taught me a lot about comedy, much more than just timing. He works so very hard and he's so meticulous to make sure the jokes are correct. He's so much like a scientist...one small movement can ruin it.  My parents came in from Pittsburgh for the Hollywood opening. They loved the "red carpet" treatment.  

I noticed in your bio you have a part in "Wall Street 2". What can you tell me about that experience?  

I did it two months ago. I have a small scene with Shia La Beauf. I play an analyst who goes out partying with Shia. It's a nice role. It was great working with director Oliver Stone.  

Your bio mentions you were in Les Miserables. Where and what character did you play?  

I played Anjelous at the St. Louis Repertory Theatre directed by Fred Hanson. I've worked with him on the tour of Miss Saigon. It was a good reunion.  

Now, let's talk about your experience in Cyrano. I assume Director David Schweizer wanted to work with you again.  

Correct. David first saw me in something at the New York Musical Theater Festival. I enjoy working with him. He brings out the best in me. There's a trust there. He does great work with a taste of the avant garde. He told me he was doing a three person Cyrano and would I be interested. I auditioned in New York. The role is a dream role for an actor to play. We hit the whole play in this abridged version.  

What was your expectation of the play? Are you really on stage for the whole 80 minutes?  

After the first rehearsal, I had some trepidation. We spent a lot of time in rehearsal about his version of the play. Schweizer had this idea about sound effects. He wanted a cabaret feeling and it's such a great space the way the Head Theater is configured. There's an attempt to bring a music hall edge to the play having performers tap dancing, with an homage to Burns and Allen and Laurel and Hardy. We started with the question "How do you welcome the audience". That's why I always give a patron a beer at the start of the show. Make them comfortable. It is true I'm probably never off stage. This was similar in Bombay Dreams. During the rehearsal process this can be brutal. Normally, an actor during rehearsals, gets a break. Here...well, that's another story.  

During the last two weeks, you had four student matinees. Isn't that a lot?  

Yes it is. It has been a terrific experience though.  

You also have visited schools as well. Where did you go?  

We've been to Boys Latin and Roland Park Middle School. Two vastly different experiences. 

I noticed you use the beautiful theme from the French film "Amelie".  How did that come about?  

We used that music as a temporary score in rehearsals, to get the feeling. We were trying to get the audience in the mood. We didn't have the music yet written for the play by Ryan Rumery. But even after we got the beautiful music, we kept the the theme from "Amelie" for the beginning of the play,  

I've always enjoyed the "Meet the Actors" performance at Center Stage. How did it go?  

What a night that was. During the performance, a patron seemed to get ill right in the front row during the show. We stopped for a moment. It was a group of doctors. The patron got out of his sit and watched the show on his back. He said this happens a lot. After about 30 seconds, we right back to the play. And after the show, he stayed for "Meet the Actors" session which lasted close to an hour.  

How do you enjoy Baltimore?  

I love it. It's a wonderful city. Now that I've been here a couple of times. My parents came down for opening night. They also love the town. It's one of the few places in America that isn't so corporate. It's a unique town. The people her are educated and have a friendly spirit.  

Narayan also plays in a band called DARUNAM where he does vocals and plays the saxophone. He's also recently performed in Milan with the Klezmer orchestra, the Klezmatics and he's also worked on a concept album of Yiddish folk tales.   Cyrano ends its run Super Bowl Sunday at 2 p.m. Center Stage has special two for one tickets available at 410-332-0033. With the forecast of snow this week-end, make Super Bowl Sunday a little more super with a visit to Cyrano. Since it's only 80 minutes long, you'll have plenty of time before kick-off. And don't hesitate to stay after the show and say hello to Manu.  

For comments, write to cgshubow@broadwayworld.com.

Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy