Meet Luther Billis!
South Pacific Spotlight: Jaime Sandoval brings years of musical theater experience to this iconic role
Jaime Sandoval has been gracing musical theater stages in the Chicago area for many years, playing a wide range of roles from Nathan Detroit in Guys & Dolls to the Leading Player in Pippin.
Jaime brings a wealth of experience and talent to the wise-cracking Seabee with a heart of gold Seabee, Luther Billis. Jaime last appeared at Summer Place Theatre as"Moonface" Martin in Anything Goes in 2017.
South Pacific opens on June 7.
Get your tickets here
QUESTION: Who or what inspired you to start doing theater?
JAIME SANDOVAL: I was not an athlete growing up, so theater gave me an opportunity to be part of a team with a common goal and purpose.
Q: What was the musical that had you fall in love with musicals?
JS: Sound of Music. I remember watching it as a kid, and singing along with the songs and wanting to be one of those kids in the movie.
Q: What is the favorite role you've ever played?
JS: Paul in A Chorus Line
Q: What is the dream role you still want to play?
JS: I've been lucky to have played a lot of good parts in my career on stage. I'd love to play Gomez in The Addams Family one day.
Q: What is the most challenging part of bringing this story to life?
JS: Making Luther Billis likeable, even though he is a loud mouth, bossy, napoleon complex, controlling schemer (with a heart of gold).
Q: Do you have any performance superstitions?
JS: Filling out questionnaires, and don’t talk to me 5 minutes before curtain.
Q: If someone was going to make your life into a movie, who would you want to play you?
JS: Nathan Lane
Q: What do you do when you’re not doing theater?
JS: I work a 9-to-5 office job, but enjoy working out, playing racquetball, swimming, and seeing theater productions my friends are performing in.
Q: Which character from South Pacific would you most like to have dinner with and why?
JS: Bloody Mary. She is a strong woman and entrepreneur who is making the most of a bad situation and helping the others on the island life a little better.
Q: Why should people come see this production of South Pacific?
JS: The story is timeless and highlights issues that are universal and unfortunately still exist today. (Plus the music is so good.)
Come see Jaime 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