Meet Lt. Buzz Adams!
South Pacific Profile: Summer Place Board President Don Gingold returns to the stage
Don Gingold started acting in Summer Place Theatre productions 15 years ago with his daughter, Emma. Don is now early in his second term as President of Summer Place’s Board of Directors, with Emma by his side as Vice President, and Music/Vocal Director for South Pacific. Since tending to Board President business the last couple of years, his performances have been relegated to PA and train announcers.
Don returns to the stage as Lt. Buzz Adams in South Pacific, joining a talented and experienced ensemble cast in a celebration of the 70th anniversary of this American musical classic opening on Broadway. Don shared his thoughts on his early theater experiences and much more.
South Pacific opens on June 7!
Get your tickets here
QUESTION: Who or what inspired you to start doing theater?
DON GINGOLD: Way back in high school I was in some performances but then I got involved in martial arts which took all my time, then work, marriage, etc. About 15 years ago my kids were in performances. James was the mayor in Music Man and Emma was Anna in the King & I. Em wanted to continue and asked me to join her in SPT’s Fiddler. We’ve been doing shows ever since, although she’s excelled in directing while I stay on stage.
Q: What was the musical that had you fall in love with musicals?
DG: Cinderella! I guess I fell in love with musicals. Really, I fell in love with Leslie Ann Warren!
Q: What is the favorite role you've ever played?
DG: In Barnum!, the Ring Master narrates the show, but then reveals himself to be Bailey and does the big finale Come Join the Circus. The role is juicy, but even more, the process was tremendous. Kudos to Director Heather Hutchison and Producer Lynn Hodak for terrific work.
Q: What is the dream role you still want to play?
DG: Getting back into theatre late in life, some dream roles will have to remain a dream. There are plenty of other cool roles out there for older actors, though.
Q: If someone was going to make your life into a movie, who would you want to play you?
DG: Only the best: Anthony Hopkins for the later years, Daniel Bruhl for the middle years, and Carter Bird (our little Jerome) for the early years (he’s gonna be a big star!)
Q:What do you do when you’re not doing theater?
DG: I run a website and internet marketing company with my better half Kate and a few other good people.
Q: Which character from South Pacific would most like to have dinner with and why?
DG: Emile for sure. Taking the chance, making a life in a tropical paradise. It’d be tempting. I might wack him over the head and assume his identity :-)
Q: Why should people come see this production of South Pacific?
DG: Like we say at Summer Place: Big Theatre Quality, Little Theatre Prices, Performed by Friends and Neighbors. What better reason is there!?
Q: What was the biggest challenge to finding a venue to perform this summer?
DG: The biggest challenge was getting a venue to play it so we could do it at all! I did quite a bit of calling, calculating, begging, you name it. There’s an article on the SPT website about the different possibilities. One was the old Dominicks on North Aurora. We almost converted that into a summer theatre. The Yellow Box turned out much easier and an all around better solution.
Come see Don and the rest of this incredibly talented cast when South Pacific opens on June 7.
Learn more about our production here Get your tickets here