Meet McCaffrey!
South Pacific Spotlight: Mark Hasselo, a Summer Place Theatre veteran, joins an experienced and talented ensemble
Mark Hasselo has been acting for almost a decade and has performed in numerous productions for Summer Place Theatre over the last seven years. A big fan of classic movies, Mark is happy to join this talented ensemble to celebrate the 70th anniversary of this American musical theater classic, playing radio operator McCaffrey, as well as a Navy Seabee.
Mark shared his early theater inspirations, his theater career highlights and goals, and some thoughts on being this production.
South Pacific opens on June 7!
Get your tickets here
QUESTION: Who or what inspired you to start doing theater?
MARK HASSELO: There were many influences. The one person who made me take acting seriously was my high school drama teacher, Eric Linebarger. He taught me how to read Shakespeare and he helped me come out of my shell. Many actors have inspired me ranging from my idol Dick Van Dyke to some of the greatest dramatic actors like Spencer Tracy. I joined my first acting class when I was 15 years old and that’s when I caught the acting bug.
Q: What was the musical that had you fall in love with musicals?
MH: I grew up watching the classic musicals like Singin’ In The Rain, Oklahoma, West Side story and Brigadoon. That sparked my interest in learning more about classic films by listening to Robert Osborne, former host of Turner Classic Movies.
Q: What is the favorite role(s) you've ever played?
MH: Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.
Q: What is the dream role you still want to play?
MH: Javert or Enjolras from Les Miserables. Both characters fight for what they believe in. Javert fights for justice. Enjoras fights for freedom. I too am a fighter. My mission is to demonstrate the following: no matter who you are, you should never allow your limitations stop you.
Q: What is the most challenging part about brining South Pacific to life?
MH: I found it challenging to salute with realism and to understand the ranking system of the Navy.
Q: Do you have any performance superstitions?
MH: I really don’t have any superstitions but I do enjoy the phrase “break a leg.”
Q: If someone was going to make your life into a movie, who would you want to play you?
MH: I would love to give an unknown actor the opportunity to play me.
Q: What do you do when you’re not doing theater?
MH: When I’m not doing theater, I create videos for my YouTube channel, moviedudeinc. I review films, create specials and crossover films.
Q: Which character from South Pacific would you most like to have dinner with and why?
MH: I would like to interview Bloody Mary so that I could learn more about her back-story, her culture and how she was able to capitalize financially from having the Seabees enter her domain. I’d like to understand more about why she was so intent on arranging a marriage for her daughter.
Q: Why should people come see this production of South Pacific?
MH: Anyone who is familiar with the great pairing of RoDgers And Hammerstein should see it, as well as anyone who loves musicals, romance, humor and important social commentary about prejudice. This show offers something for everyone and is appropriate for aged ten and above.
Come see Mark and the rest of this talented cast when South Pacific opens on June 7.
Learn more about our production here Get your tickets here