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JAMIE MCGONNIGAL AND THE CITY

By TJ Fitzgerald

OK, this month, NEED readers, please indulge me as I am doing a story that is kind of personal to me as it involves a friend who has pursued a dream and I wanted to share with you his accomplishments and success....

Once upon a time, I appeared in a production of EVITA with the Hingham Civic Music Theatre in Hingham, Massachusetts. It was a very big deal as we were one of the first community theatres in the area to produce EVITA and I was playing the role of Juan Peron...ok, stop laughing. Yes, it was a bit of a stretch for a light skinned Irish Catholic guy in his early twenties, but that's why they call it acting, right? Anyway, we had an amazingly talented ensemble which also featured a children's chorus. Who knew at the time that I was amidst a pool of future celebrities? Among these children was a very young Susan Tedeschi, who went on years later to make a name for herself in the professional music industry, and another gentleman by the name of Jamie McGonnigal, who has achieved success and recognition in the New York Broadway theatre community as a director and producer extraordinaire.

McGonnigal, formerly of Marshfield, has come a long way since performing around New England in community theatre and summer stock. I was very fortunate to have seen Jamie grow over the years to where he is today. We actually became theatre friends several years ago performing in several productions including a concert version of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, where he played my son. So now that he is all grown up and living in New York, I thought I would catch up with him and share with my fellow readers what he has been up to and find out what it took to get to where he is today.

TJ: So now you live in New York, the city that never sleeps. Big question for you.....do you miss New England, particularly Massachusetts?

JMcG: Sure I do, especially in the autumn. New England is fantastic! But as a theatre professional, it's just not feasible for many people to hold a real career in theatre. The people that do it are pioneers and are perhaps the most dedicated people in the world. It takes a lot more than talent to pursue it and succeed at it when you're not in a big city. So amen for those people...they are the ones who are grooming all the new talent.

And more importantly, they are giving young people and others, who for whatever reason can't be in a place like NY, a place for them to express themselves creatively. With arts programs in schools constantly being cut in small towns, it becomes more and more necessary for these outside programs to exist. Without these programs, some people would never discover what they want to be when they grow up.

TJ: OK, the big question: When was it that you made the decision that you wanted to get into theatre?

JMcG: Well, it had been recommended to me by my 5th grade music teacher, Joanne Geeze, that I should audition for this local production of a musical called EVITA that was happening in the town next door. Mom drove me to auditions. I sang (oh so appropriately) Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline." I was cast and I was hooked pretty instantly.

TJ: Boy, I can't believe it was 1987 when we did EVITA. Time sure flies. Tell me, who was the biggest influence on you with regard to your theatrical aspirations?

JMcG: I've been influenced by a lot of people-of course in my more formative years, working with Peter Kates when I was in High School and the amazing Meri-Lee Mafera. How can you help it but to be inspired by such thrilling dedication to the art? I have to say though, working with Chris Wilder (now Bates) on GODSPELL and PIPPIN with Young People's Summer Theatre in Scituate was really influential on me. Chris always tried to tell me like it is...always encouraging, but always being realistic towards me. In New York, you learn quickly it's the criticism that is going to move you the farthest ahead.

TJ: OK, so you learned the basics and some at the amateur level. What was your first professional gig and how was the experience? What comes to mind when you think back on it now?

JMcG Well, my First professional experience was at The Saxtons River Playhouse in Vermont doing Summer Stock. It was a barn in the middle of a trailer park. I remember my father almost refused to leave me there. It was actually one of the most magical, amazing experiences of my life. We did 5 shows, 5 cabarets, and 9 children's shows. My choices were either I would run screaming or know that I was in it for life. Happily for me, it was the latter.

TJ: And now you are in New York. Tell me, buddy, how did your first NYC producing job come to fruition?

JMcG: I'd worked as a director on a few random readings here and there but as a producer...hmm... I was performing in a reading at the York Theatre (a very reputable off-Broadway theatre company known for their cultivation and development of new musicals). During breaks from rehearsals, I would chat with artistic director, Jim Morgan. He told me they had an open date for which they needed to have some kind of benefit concert. So I said "Why not do an evening of great new songs by new writers and have big Broadway stars sing them?" He thought it a great idea and asked me to put it together...so that was really the first one. Shortly thereafter, I did the Children of Eden concert for World AIDS Day, which was clearly the start of something a lot bigger.

TJ: And last year's benefit was a concert version of PIPPIN, which featured such talent like Rosie O'Donnell, Cameron Mathison (Ryan from ALL MY CHILDREN) and a special appearance by original PIPPIN cast member Ben Vereen. So what will you be doing this year to follow up such an amazing extravaganza last year?

JMcG: This year will be THE SECRET GARDEN in concert. It's happening on December 5th at the Manhattan Center and will be benefiting the Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation. They run a summer camp for teens living with HIV and AIDS. It's an amazing place where these kids finally get to just be kids. They don't have to hide their disease from anyone. I'm thrilled to be working with them. The concert will star two time Tony Nominee Laura Benanti (INTO THE WOODS), Michael Arden (the star of last year's PIPPIN Concert) and Celia Keenan-Bolger (2005 Tony Nominee for SPELLING BEE). The website for the most up to date info is WorldAIDSDayConcert.org.

TJ: What a great project to be involved in and the satisfaction you get with such an undertaking must be staggering. How do you decide which projects to pursue?

JMcG: Usually I make them up. When I'm bored and have an idea I want to pursue, I pursue it. It's so much fun for me. And then choosing a charity is also a blast...I really enjoy working with organizations such as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS or The Matthew Shepard Foundation. They are great groups that do brilliant work.

TJ: Now, I have heard that you are also doing voices for anime?? What's that about and what are you currently doing there?

JMcG: I've done probably around 50 different titles that are on DVD currently including MAGIC USER'S CLUB, KNIGHT HUNTERS, WORLD OF NARUE and JUNGLE EMPEROR LEO. And I can be heard on Saturday mornings on Fox (4Kids TV) on ONE PIECE and F-ZERO and then on WB in POKEMON and YU GI OH!. On top of that, I've just started working on video games, but I'm not at liberty to divulge those titles (per my contract).

TJ: Having worn many shoes, which do you enjoy the most...directing, producing or performing?

JMcG: I can't really choose one or the other...I suppose with directing, that's the one I can give up most easily. I just think there are so many more brilliant directors out there....people who REALLY know what they are doing and love it more than anything. I've made a niche for myself putting together these benefits where I not only get to ask my favorite performers to come perform but I get to help people who need it. There's something really rewarding about the things I do and I couldn't be happier. Then as an actor, I have SO much fun...it's a blast for me-especially the voice acting...I get paid to stand in a booth and act like an idiot. What could be better? I mean the acting like an idiot comes naturally...now I just get unemployment if I stop.

TJ: Have you had a favorite NY project that you would like to share your thoughts on?

JMcG: I think the Children of Eden Concert holds a really special place in my heart. It was my first really major event and there was something truly magical about that evening. We had 150 voices singing this amazing score in one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the country. It just felt like someone was really watching over me that night. The cast was unbelievable and every dream I had for the event came true.

TJ: What would you advice be to someone who wants to pursue a career in producing in NYC? Or to go one step further, pursue acting in NYC?

JMcG: Same answer for both questions. Stick to your guns. Keep working and don't give up. It all sounds so cliché, but it's all true. If it's something you really want to do, do it. Make it work for you. There is no mold, no book about how you have to do it. So write your own

TJ: What does the future hold for Jamie McGonnigal? Are there any upcoming projects on the horizon?

JMcG: I really enjoy just taking things as they come. Right now, I'm pursuing commercial producing Off and On Broadway. So hopefully, something will start happening with that soon. But the benefits won't ever end.

And Jamie just never stops. As mentioned earlier, he is currently preparing for the upcoming SECRET GARDEN IN CONCERT, which will take place on Dec 5, 2005 to benefit the Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation. There will be more information available about this event at the official website for the most up-to-date info and now that we're approaching the holiday season, what better way to show your holiday spirit by giving to those in need. And you also get to see a great production. So until next time, support the arts and peace to you.