Meet Dan Judy
Mamma Mia! Spotlight
Dan is making his Summer Place Theatre debut as a member of the ensemble in our Mamma Mia! Dan graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2010 and has worked on many shows, like Bye Bye Birdie, The King and I, and The Good Doctor. When he's not attending community theatre performances or festivals, listening to live music, and enjoying a good museum, Dan drives a truck and is involved in the sale and distribution of industrial footwear.
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We asked Dan a few questions about himself.
Q: Who or what inspired you to start doing theater?
A: I've always loved performance. We didn't play the radio very often in the house growing up, so I absorbed myself with film, theatre, and television.
Q: What was the musical that had you fall in love with musicals?
A: I saw a production of The Phantom of the Opera when I was in my early teens. I was awestruck by it. I think that one opened the door for me.
Q: What is the favorite role you've ever played?
A: I played a bit of a tramp in a Neil Simon play. It was pretty obnoxious and fun.
Q: What is the dream role you still want to play?
A: I would say Brick from Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. That's such a great play. There are such great interactions between Brick and his father Big Daddy Politt as well as his wife Maggie.
Q: Most challenging part of bringing this story to life?
A: This is such a layered story. It's about young love. It's about rediscovering love again. It's about family and identity. We have to deliver all of these layers to take our audience on that emotional journey with us. Another would be that we have to bring the audience to an Island off the coast of Greece!
Q: Do you have any performance superstitions?
A: Only the ones about "The Scottish Play."
Q: If someone was going to make your life into a movie, who would you want to play you?
A: I would say a young Tim Roth. I've been told there is a bit of a resemblance there. He's a terrific actor.
Q: What do you do when you’re not doing theater?
A: I can usually be found at the movie theatre, local bookstore, or at a live music event. I love Chicago blues.
Q: If you were stranded on an island, which character from Mamma Mia would you want to have with you and why?
A: I'm gonna have to go with Bill on that one. He's the adventurer so there would never be a dull moment. Plus I figure with all his travel experience, he's the most likely to be able to get us back to civilization.
Q: Why should people come see this production of Mamma Mia?
A: We've assembled a wonderful cast that's passionate and energetic. Our directors and crew have a very clear direction of how they want to tell this story. This is my first time working with this cast and crew and I'm very excited to be part of a story like this. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll laugh again.