September 14, 2025 • 27 mins
Much like the desert heat, the temperature is rising over at Avon Players, as The Prince of Egypt The Musical arrives at the Rochester Hills theater! This musical adaptation of DreamWorks' animated film, which in turn is a retelling of a biblical story, follows the story of Moses and his brother Ramses, inseparable brothers who struggle to see eye-to-eye as they grow older. While the sun may be setting on opening weekend, there are still plenty of opportunities to catch the cast and crew in The Prince of Egypt, such as the incredibly talented Ryan Gigliotti and Tracy Murray, who play the Pharaoh Seti and his Queen Tuya, respectively.
In this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview, Gigliotti and Murray discuss their roles as Seti and Tuya and how they factor into the narrative of The Prince of Egypt. Their excitement for the show is palpable, as both actors have big smiles on their faces as they discuss being one of the first theaters in Michigan to stage this Stephen Schwartz musical. Seti and Tuya are two sides of a royal coin, often in conflict between what is best for their family and what is best for Egypt. These actors talk about how they find balance in their characters and how they develop them from page to stage!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Thank you so much Tracy and Ryan for being here today and taking time out of your busyrehearsal schedule.
(00:04):
How are you doing?
I am doing great.
Got the coffee ready to roll today.
So yeah, juiced up.
We're feeling good.
One week out from the show opening.
So we're we're we're hyped.
It's going great.
It is.
Yeah, yeah, 100%.
But it's it's getting there.
I mean, you have moments a month or so in when you think, oh, my God, how are we going toget there?
(00:27):
And then all of a sudden, it's like, how do we get here?
It's every show.
Yeah.
But it's it's been great.
So we're really excited.
I was gonna say, I'm not an actor, but I feel like every week, like I remember marchingband and that last week before that big performance was always like, you're just trying to
nail it all down and it all comes together in the end and you're just kind of amazed atwhen it does.
Yes, I also did marching band and it was always that of this is this is gonna be horribleand then it's a magical performance at the end of wow we got here.
(00:54):
Well yeah and you're and basically you basically just walking on adrenaline alone by thattime if you don't you get no sleep like I don't remember how to eat normally and then but
it's so exciting it's just it's a blast.
Especially with this show because you're doing the Prince of Egypt the musical which is ahuge show, you know I've only I've only seen clips and stuff.
I've not watched the full pro shot yet.
(01:15):
So that's not my to-do list but ah From what I hear from my friend RJ who's in theproduction.
This is a big big production So what is that like to bring this show to stage Tracy?
Well, I mean, it's exciting for a couple of reasons.
One, because no one's done it around here.
So it'll be new uh to the theater scene and not even really just community theater, but Ithink in the metro Detroit area in general.
(01:41):
So that's exciting and uh kind of piggybacking off of, you know, the Wicked movie, whichis the same composer for this show, you know, that kind of music.
We think audiences will really like that.
And it's just huge and epic and
sweeping with tons of dance and uh huge numbers and it's just really cool.
(02:05):
I don't even know how to say it other than it's just huge.
And it's exciting to be a part of that.
Yeah, Right's Only just got released, I think, if I recall correctly, towards the end oflast year or right around last year.
So it's really special for us to be able to do this, you know, some of the first in thetime.
Yeah.
And I think just the show in general.
(02:26):
translating the story Moses and everything onto stage when obviously we don't have uhgiant walls of water that are moving or seas of blood, but we get to use the power and the
magic of theater to make that transform on stage is awesome.
It's awesome to see.
I think that's one of my favorite things about this show is, I mean, we've all been inshows, uh
(02:51):
where there's lots of set pieces and the production scale is huge as far as the set andconstruction and all that.
This is not one of those shows for as big as it is.
The story and the moving in and out of scenes and the set is really kind of told by thecast.
(03:11):
it's very fluid in that manner.
It's really interesting because sometimes they're dancing, sometimes they're part of thepalace.
It's really interesting.
Yeah, I think audiences love it.
was going to say the word epic usually comes to mind when you think of Stephen Schwartzwho did Wicked and this production.
And so this is what you're kind of describing there.
(03:31):
It's epic in a different way because it's kind of a minimalistic approach to telling suchan epic tale.
Right.
But the music, like the music itself, I'll tell you, when I first, someone showed thedirector, when he showed me the video clip of the stage production in London, is it
London?
Yeah.
That opening number, I just, my jaw dropped and I just thought, I have to do this.
(03:56):
I have to be a part of this.
It was so huge.
The music is just huge, but it's, yeah, it's a good thing to be a part of.
Yeah.
You can see because we're both like,
I was gonna say, you're both brimming with excitement.
Ryan, what drew you to wanting to audition for this production?
Uh, you know, it seems like I'm the only human on the planet who didn't see Prince ofEgypt prior to doing the show.
(04:20):
you either?
All right, cool.
One of the same.
That's my king for you.
That's my king.
ah Yeah, I did not see it.
Everybody I know uh loves the movie.
I was just at a family function.
have a couple of cousins that were like, I've watched it.
Like, I still watch it as an adult.
We watched it a few months ago and I was like, how did I grow up not seeing this?
But once I found out that it was
(04:42):
Show like this.
I had a couple friends that reached out and said hey, I would like to audition Do you knowthe music I was like I've heard of the movie but whatever once I heard that and then yeah,
I watched some pieces from the West End production.
It's just It's so cool.
And like you said earlier, it is like an epic like the music draws you in so hard and Likeyou will feel the emotions Stephen Schwartz just it draws you in
(05:09):
You feel the emotions, you feel attached to the characters.
ah Everything about it, the acting just really pulls you in.
And it's a story that we all know.
Right.
So there's like a sense of familiarity to it, too, that it just it feels fresh, but alsofamiliar that you can really relate to.
think the music, too, is this is well, this is one of those shows that you could bringyounger people to.
(05:34):
mean, I think even.
When did the movie come out?
the eighties or nineties?
So people, know, people probably remember seeing it as a young person themselves, if not,you know, have shown it to their children themselves.
But I think there's a lot of music in this show.
This is one things I like about it.
It's one of those shows where there's, there's a number of songs that, will just get inyour head and you'll just be singing them because they're just so beautiful.
(05:58):
It means Sweeney Todd was a little different vocally, but uh yeah, I think, I think.
it'll just make people smile.
So, yeah.
speaking to both you both said there, you know, this is one of the first films that reallykicked off DreamWorks before Shrek and stuff like that.
Like because of the success of this film.
uh granted I was seven years old and somehow I missed it too.
(06:20):
I still have never seen the animated production, but it really did kind of there's like anostalgic factor with this.
People are kind of growing with the show now and getting to see it locally in front ofthem is epic.
Again, epic is the word that keeps coming to mind.
uh
I was just going to say too, I think, and again, because we're doing it, one of the firstgroups to do it and to do it here, ah we're just, hoping obviously that there's a lot of
(06:45):
people that live in this area in the Rochester, ah Sterling Heights, Shelby area, all ofthis area that don't even know that this theater is here.
So to bring something this big ah to this community and hopefully it'll spread the wordabout, you know, the great productions that they do here.
It's just, it's just a joy.
Absolutely.
So for those who maybe aren't familiar with the story, Ryan, what's kind of the story ofthe Prince of Egypt and who are you playing within the show?
(07:12):
Yeah.
So it's a story of Moses and Ramses who grow up in ancient Egypt and it's through the riseof freeing of the Hebrews.
Moses, um you know, spoiler alert, ah not like it's only been out for a million years, youknow, is adopted.
(07:36):
I know adopted into the royal family raised in there.
and then has a calling through God um to have a destiny of freeing the Hebrew people.
And there's some huge themes in there where it's, you know, the fear of accepting God'scall and the doubt and really having him having the courage to trust in God's plan.
(08:05):
So there's just huge, huge motives in there.
And uh
It's pretty great to go through it all.
And I actually play the father.
So I play the Pharaoh before Ramses ends up taking over and his whole internal conflictwith Moses, Ramses and Moses.
This is my queen.
(08:28):
I am Tuya.
I am his wife.
I am the queen.
I am I actually am the one that finds Moses in floating in the basket in the river.
in the Nile and uh bring him into the family, basically adopt him as our own.
um So she's a great character because she's very nurturing, um but she also alwaysunderstands her duty uh as the queen.
(08:57):
And even though this one can be tough, as the king, know, she tries, I think she's a goodbalancer between knowing that she has to be loyal to what he wants
what he needs for his people, but also to be a supportive mother to Ramses and Moses, thetwo boys, and to nurture Moses when he realizes that he's a Hebrew.
(09:22):
So it's a great part.
It's not a heavy, heavy part, but there's um poignant moments in there, and we're having agreat time.
So it's good to play opposite Ryan, yeah.
gonna say you have, it seems like such a role that you have to balance a lot of differentaspects to who she is and who she is in regards to Ryan's character, the Pharaoh.
(09:46):
But there's probably a great dynamic between the two of you, you know, getting to play offeach other with that.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I actually really like it because after seeing the animated version, the musical stageplay really fleshes out the Pharaoh more to where in the animated version, he is very much
portrayed as just straight villain.
(10:06):
But in this, there are really some great moments to show more of the man behind thePharaoh, who is a loving father, who loves his wife.
and we really have a great chance to explore that relationship.
Yeah, I've had no idea who Tracy was before this show.
Yeah, we just met.
We do so great on stage and we are still finding moments.
(10:28):
I think it was literally last rehearsal where I'm like, hey, what about if we try this,try this?
So we are literally still growing and what the show still opens in a week.
So we have not peaked yet.
We are still on our way.
Well, that's yeah, that's and that's that's a great thing about where exactly where we arein the process, because these you know, these shows are so
huge in that you spend the first month just sitting there learning vocals and then youspend the next couple weeks figuring out where you're supposed to stand and then another
(10:56):
week where you try to make it all flow together and then there are a million costumes andjewelry and things that have to go with everything else we're doing.
So remember when you have to do quick changes and things like that.
But since we're getting so close now, we're kind of at that point where all of that isgelling so that
when we have these moments where it was like, it seemed like it would be natural to maybedo this or add that.
(11:22):
And they give us a lot of creative freedom to really make our characters the best they canbe.
So that's been fun.
So we keep adding little things.
We do.
It's been great.
Not too much.
Not too Yeah.
So what is kind of your process then for developing a character such as this Tracy?
I mean it sounds like you have, know, there's a lot of technical aspects at the beginningof this and you're kind of still fine-tuning that, but how do you approach a character
(11:46):
when you kind of get that script for this role?
Well, you know, it's interesting.
It's interesting and kind of funny in a way because I'm now at that point in my life whereI seem to be getting a lot of the mom roles, not saying I'm old, but you know, it's
happening and I don't actually have any of my own children, but I am, you know, a verynurturing kind of person.
(12:06):
So it's just, for me, it's trying to, you know, when you have enough life experience as Ido to just really try to find, uh
just really find what it means uh and feel it, not just saying the lines, but just, butreally feeling it.
Like how would these two boys, uh how do they need me?
How does he need me?
(12:27):
Who needs me to be what, when?
So I'm really just kind of compartmentalizing when I need to be stoic as the queen, when Ineed to be supportive for the sons, you know, just, it's like subtle things like that.
And it's not a huge role from a lot of lines or things, but the ones that I do have.
they can all be told the right way if you're feeling it, if really feeling it too.
(12:51):
So I mean, I don't know if that really answered your question, but.
Sure, also I've heard I from my drama teacher back in the day that there's no such thingas small roles So just remember that you
well, you know what I mean.
Like, I don't have to carry the show myself, um but yeah, I just try to think about whatthis in this particular role, what I need to be for each of these characters at various
(13:12):
points in the story and try to tell it the best way I can.
How for you, how do you develop a character such as the Pharaoh?
I mean, it's piggybacking off what I said earlier.
It was exactly that.
Like after seeing the animated version, it was hard for me to just imagine that it wasjust a just a straight villain.
(13:35):
um And early on, I would just do line readings over and over.
And I would literally go to Tracy and be like, I think we can probably fit in a momenthere, here, here, here, here, because I would try and find moments where I'm not just
some straight rule, I'm not just chastising, like I wanted to show the love and the depthof me outside of just being a ruler.
(13:57):
So you're like, I don't think I should be mean the whole time.
Well, yeah, I mean, it was just it's, found really great ways and good moments to wherethere's like breaks from the chaos to where I can really show the emotion or maybe in, you
know, a moment of anger, I can just grab Tracy's hand or something because
(14:19):
You know, she grounds him in a way.
And it's not just him ruling.
Like there is some extra power behind the throne.
And I think he gets a lot of his power, charisma and feeling from her as well, keeping himin check.
All right, chill, calm yourself down.
It's so sweet.
It's true.
(14:39):
It is true.
But yeah, I think really just trying to establish the relationships with everyone elsearound everyone really helps me shape how I.
approach each scene and whatnot.
trying to find that humanity in the character.
Yeah, 100%.
Yes, exactly.
So Tracy, you had mentioned earlier that there's quite an interesting way that theensemble is kind of being used in the scenes with the set.
(15:05):
um How do you feel like that helps tell the story visually?
Well, I mean, I can't, I don't want to tell too much because I don't want to give it awaybecause there's some really amazing, really amazing things that happen even right from the
very beginning.
But I mean, I would say this might be a strange answer, but we kind of live in an instantgratification world and, you know, a lot of stimulus, right?
(15:31):
With internet and all these kinds of things.
I feel like having the ensemble be doing a lot of these fluid moments and telling thestory with their dance.
um is very, it's just interesting, visually interesting.
So I think that hour and half or hour and 20 minutes that the first act is, it's justnonstop.
So there really aren't, there really aren't moments as even in the first act where you'rejust sitting there watching one person walking around singing or talking.
(15:59):
So it's just uh constant visual stimulation and along with the beautiful music is amazing.
And then you finally get to the second act and there are some, that's when you,
you really get in touch with some of the leads in these power ballads.
And it's just a neat way to tell the story, having the ensemble, have them do it throughdance and uh becoming the set pieces.
(16:24):
It's really interesting.
Yeah, having them part of the set pieces is pretty great because sometimes they are partof pillars or walls.
it's almost like with the hieroglyphics, the scene comes alive more than just the actorson stage.
They are part of the living history that's making up like past, present, and like thefuture stuff to come that's foretold by like, you know, the classic God moments, giving
(16:50):
prophecies and stuff.
So it's really great thematically.
was gonna say, you took the words right out of my mouth.
This is kind of making it feel more like a living story.
Every book you pick up, it's living as long as you're reading it, and this is kind ofcarrying that message through.
Yeah.
That was well said.
Yeah.
It's good way to put it.
Thank you.
Yeah.
(17:10):
Ryan, how do you feel like this role has challenged you as an actor?
I'm
Hmm, great question.
I don't even know if how I would answer that question.
Well, think.
Oh, jeez.
I think a big thing is like, because I'm like not I'm not a father, so I don't havechildren in there.
But I think in a way, it was good to explore the relationship of having two loves and twoduties in that sense to where, like, sure, my family is a priority.
(17:45):
But so is Egypt.
you know, in every normal day lives, we may have something where we put our kids first,but now there's the added aspect of I am Pharaoh.
If I put my kids first, do I doom an entire nation?
Because in that instance, like the nation probably has to come first.
(18:07):
And I think that's a huge thing that plays into the story is that when it comes to Ramses,he is
the future ruler, so he is way harder on him and less fatherly-like because he knows ofthe future responsibilities his son is going to have.
So it's really trying to find the balance of, yes, I do love my family, but I want to setthem up for it.
(18:33):
So I feel like need to be extra hard, but I need to be the ruler too.
So it's been good trying to find that fatherly balance, but also the ruler of a nation.
I mean, I think my answer would pretty much be the same thing because it's how do you letthe audience see uh these characters uh when they're in their royal duty and then when
(19:03):
they're trying to be supportive for their kids and sometimes it has to switch fast.
And how do the people, how do they view them?
I mean, it's just...
It's, they're interesting characters because they have to play both sides, but they haveto let everyone has to know that they are in control and that they have a duty, but
(19:24):
they're not heartless, you know?
So it is challenging in that way.
I was going say that dichotomy that exists in a ruling class of people has to be hardbecause you still are humans at one point with families, but you have a legion of people
that you have to lead as well.
Well, even to that point too, we've spent some time, basically spent some time practicingbeing royal.
(19:47):
So I mean, everything from the way you carry yourself and the way you walk, your subtlelooks, the way they would or would not react in situations like a normal person would
maybe be spastic about something, they always have to be very reserved and um just tryingto figure out how to wear that royal.
(20:08):
You know, it's interesting.
It's challenging.
But we got it.
you do, you do, you have this.
So switching to the music, we had kind of talked that this is, know, the Stephen Schwartzmusical, that there's very sweeping numbers.
ah Tracy, what is our favorite number to perform, but maybe also what is our favoritenumber to hear that just every night you can't wait to look forward to it?
(20:30):
Good question.
Oh my gosh.
See, Ryan's going to say it better be my song.
Absolutely.
You know, I think probably one of my favorite ones to perform is the opening numberbecause that literally, it deliver us is what it's called, but that literally, just, uh
(20:52):
it's a long sweeping number that has a bunch of phases to it that end up
you know, resulting in Moses coming down the river.
But the music is unbelievable.
I love that number.
It's just one of those ones where you get through the first number and you think, if wedon't have the audience by now, the show is over and we're going to have them because that
(21:18):
opening number is amazing.
But there are a ton of those in this show.
um I think to listen to, was, Moses has a solo in the second act.
is one where I literally am crying.
There's a combo of solos.
I'm not going to give it away.
Moses and Queen Nefertari have solos that I'm crying.
(21:39):
I'm not the only one crying backstage.
They're so beautiful.
Yeah, it's good.
It's a good cry.
is.
Yes.
Thank you.
Tag me and Coach, I was ready.
I think also Deliver Us as well.
um
(22:00):
because that is something I get to be on stage for prior to being the Pharaoh.
um But it is, it's very, very powerful, really sets up the show.
um And vocally, I sing like tenor, so it fits very well in the range too, which is alsofun.
So it's a lot of energy for that one.
um And I think my favorite song is what you were referring to, is Moses's For the Rest ofMy Life.
(22:26):
Yes.
um Yeah.
It really has just some great themes going back and forth of, you know, accepting, um youknow, God's plan and everything else and moving forward.
But really, the line that catches me ah is at the, towards the end of the number.
(22:46):
um For the rest of my life, how will I get through?
And uh that just really catches my heart every time because I feel like
I know, we all can relate to certain things of like trying to accept something or getthrough something.
And, you know, we always think of like, how can I go on after this happened?
(23:08):
And, ah you know, and this it's spoken through such a huge major piece with Moses.
So it's very relatable.
And yeah, it gets me every time.
We also I also like when you believe obviously a lot of people know that that song is oneof the famous songs from the movie.
ah
and the recording, that's the one that...
(23:29):
Houston, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston did it.
But that song is amazing too.
So that's one that, you know, people will, most people might recognize it.
If you didn't, you'll be singing it when you walk out of the theater because ah it's justbeautiful.
Yeah.
Yeah.
that's one of the ones that won the Tony Awards, I'm pretty sure.
Yes.
(23:49):
Yeah.
It's amazing.
It's amazing.
I'm sorry.
Yeah, because I think it was best original song.
Because I think you touched on it earlier, because I think that was the first ah oneoutside of Disney and Pixar to actually win um that award.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I also want to know Ryan if you how you know my questions before you even ask them becausenext the next question was going to be about what themes resonate with you the most and
(24:16):
you were already talking about themes and I was like I was like is he mind reading overthere?
wicked smart, this one is.
I do have mind powers, so I mean, it is true.
That's hilarious.
Well.
So what themes from this show speak to you?
And Ryan, you already answered, but if you have other themes that speak to you as well,feel free to throw them in here.
If not, Tracy, I'm gonna let you take the floor.
(24:38):
Go ahead, Tracy.
Oh, okay.
right.
If I think of anything bonus, I'll throw it in there.
I think I think one of the themes that that that I like is that figuring out who you wantto be and choosing your path.
And like you use the word courage and not being afraid of what other people think.
(25:02):
And just going after what you feel you need to do, you know, regardless.
Regardless, just think, I think that's just like a um you know, a life lesson thateverybody can take out of this is that you gotta trust your own heart and not be afraid to
make hard choices.
And I like that theme.
(25:25):
And just the, you know, the battle with the battle between the boys even with, you know,duty versus what's in their heart.
um
you know, trying to, it's hard to please everyone.
You have to please yourself first.
So I think there's a lot of that in this and the characters trying to be true tothemselves in the story.
(25:49):
So good lessons.
Yeah.
feel like we, I feel like we see that too often in society.
And I feel like I have friends too that we care so much about what everybody else thinkswhat will happen.
And it does, it takes courage to take.
big steps and big choices, but once you finally give in, you know, and you accept yourselfand, you know, your courage to move forward, you really just have such a payoff at the
(26:19):
end.
I just, yeah, belief is such a huge, huge theme in this that I feel like everybody canrelate Yeah, and hope.
mean, hope and miracles and belief and, you know, just, I mean, those are great lessons.
Yeah, there's a lot of that in this.
Yeah, 100%.
And there's a lot of beauty to that story that hopefully audiences will take away and havejust a wonderful time with the Prince of Egypt.
(26:44):
Yeah.
It's gonna be amazing.
Buy your tickets.
Thank you Tracy and Ryan so much for being here with me today.
I won't keep it any longer.
I know you guys gotta get ready for rehearsal, but we are very appreciative to have youhere and we are looking forward to the show.
Thank very much for having us.
It's been good.
Great.
Yep.
For anybody that doesn't have the info, avonplayers.org and there's still time to getseason tickets for a discount for the year, but come see us.
(27:08):
It's going to be amazing.
the Prince of Egypt, the musical arrives at Avon Players on September 12th and runsthrough the 27th.
So get your tickets now and we'll see you at the show.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you so much Tracy and Ryan for being here today and taking time out of your busyrehearsal schedule.
(00:04):
How are you doing?
I am doing great.
Got the coffee ready to roll today.
So yeah, juiced up.
We're feeling good.
One week out from the show opening.
So we're we're we're hyped.
It's going great.
It is.
Yeah, yeah, 100%.
But it's it's getting there.
I mean, you have moments a month or so in when you think, oh, my God, how are we going toget there?
(00:27):
And then all of a sudden, it's like, how do we get here?
It's every show.
Yeah.
But it's it's been great.
So we're really excited.
I was gonna say, I'm not an actor, but I feel like every week, like I remember marchingband and that last week before that big performance was always like, you're just trying to
nail it all down and it all comes together in the end and you're just kind of amazed atwhen it does.
Yes, I also did marching band and it was always that of this is this is gonna be horribleand then it's a magical performance at the end of wow we got here.
(00:54):
Well yeah and you're and basically you basically just walking on adrenaline alone by thattime if you don't you get no sleep like I don't remember how to eat normally and then but
it's so exciting it's just it's a blast.
Especially with this show because you're doing the Prince of Egypt the musical which is ahuge show, you know I've only I've only seen clips and stuff.
I've not watched the full pro shot yet.
(01:15):
So that's not my to-do list but ah From what I hear from my friend RJ who's in theproduction.
This is a big big production So what is that like to bring this show to stage Tracy?
Well, I mean, it's exciting for a couple of reasons.
One, because no one's done it around here.
So it'll be new uh to the theater scene and not even really just community theater, but Ithink in the metro Detroit area in general.
(01:41):
So that's exciting and uh kind of piggybacking off of, you know, the Wicked movie, whichis the same composer for this show, you know, that kind of music.
We think audiences will really like that.
And it's just huge and epic and
sweeping with tons of dance and uh huge numbers and it's just really cool.
(02:05):
I don't even know how to say it other than it's just huge.
And it's exciting to be a part of that.
Yeah, Right's Only just got released, I think, if I recall correctly, towards the end oflast year or right around last year.
So it's really special for us to be able to do this, you know, some of the first in thetime.
Yeah.
And I think just the show in general.
(02:26):
translating the story Moses and everything onto stage when obviously we don't have uhgiant walls of water that are moving or seas of blood, but we get to use the power and the
magic of theater to make that transform on stage is awesome.
It's awesome to see.
I think that's one of my favorite things about this show is, I mean, we've all been inshows, uh
(02:51):
where there's lots of set pieces and the production scale is huge as far as the set andconstruction and all that.
This is not one of those shows for as big as it is.
The story and the moving in and out of scenes and the set is really kind of told by thecast.
(03:11):
it's very fluid in that manner.
It's really interesting because sometimes they're dancing, sometimes they're part of thepalace.
It's really interesting.
Yeah, I think audiences love it.
was going to say the word epic usually comes to mind when you think of Stephen Schwartzwho did Wicked and this production.
And so this is what you're kind of describing there.
(03:31):
It's epic in a different way because it's kind of a minimalistic approach to telling suchan epic tale.
Right.
But the music, like the music itself, I'll tell you, when I first, someone showed thedirector, when he showed me the video clip of the stage production in London, is it
London?
Yeah.
That opening number, I just, my jaw dropped and I just thought, I have to do this.
(03:56):
I have to be a part of this.
It was so huge.
The music is just huge, but it's, yeah, it's a good thing to be a part of.
Yeah.
You can see because we're both like,
I was gonna say, you're both brimming with excitement.
Ryan, what drew you to wanting to audition for this production?
Uh, you know, it seems like I'm the only human on the planet who didn't see Prince ofEgypt prior to doing the show.
(04:20):
you either?
All right, cool.
One of the same.
That's my king for you.
That's my king.
ah Yeah, I did not see it.
Everybody I know uh loves the movie.
I was just at a family function.
have a couple of cousins that were like, I've watched it.
Like, I still watch it as an adult.
We watched it a few months ago and I was like, how did I grow up not seeing this?
But once I found out that it was
(04:42):
Show like this.
I had a couple friends that reached out and said hey, I would like to audition Do you knowthe music I was like I've heard of the movie but whatever once I heard that and then yeah,
I watched some pieces from the West End production.
It's just It's so cool.
And like you said earlier, it is like an epic like the music draws you in so hard and Likeyou will feel the emotions Stephen Schwartz just it draws you in
(05:09):
You feel the emotions, you feel attached to the characters.
ah Everything about it, the acting just really pulls you in.
And it's a story that we all know.
Right.
So there's like a sense of familiarity to it, too, that it just it feels fresh, but alsofamiliar that you can really relate to.
think the music, too, is this is well, this is one of those shows that you could bringyounger people to.
(05:34):
mean, I think even.
When did the movie come out?
the eighties or nineties?
So people, know, people probably remember seeing it as a young person themselves, if not,you know, have shown it to their children themselves.
But I think there's a lot of music in this show.
This is one things I like about it.
It's one of those shows where there's, there's a number of songs that, will just get inyour head and you'll just be singing them because they're just so beautiful.
(05:58):
It means Sweeney Todd was a little different vocally, but uh yeah, I think, I think.
it'll just make people smile.
So, yeah.
speaking to both you both said there, you know, this is one of the first films that reallykicked off DreamWorks before Shrek and stuff like that.
Like because of the success of this film.
uh granted I was seven years old and somehow I missed it too.
(06:20):
I still have never seen the animated production, but it really did kind of there's like anostalgic factor with this.
People are kind of growing with the show now and getting to see it locally in front ofthem is epic.
Again, epic is the word that keeps coming to mind.
uh
I was just going to say too, I think, and again, because we're doing it, one of the firstgroups to do it and to do it here, ah we're just, hoping obviously that there's a lot of
(06:45):
people that live in this area in the Rochester, ah Sterling Heights, Shelby area, all ofthis area that don't even know that this theater is here.
So to bring something this big ah to this community and hopefully it'll spread the wordabout, you know, the great productions that they do here.
It's just, it's just a joy.
Absolutely.
So for those who maybe aren't familiar with the story, Ryan, what's kind of the story ofthe Prince of Egypt and who are you playing within the show?
(07:12):
Yeah.
So it's a story of Moses and Ramses who grow up in ancient Egypt and it's through the riseof freeing of the Hebrews.
Moses, um you know, spoiler alert, ah not like it's only been out for a million years, youknow, is adopted.
(07:36):
I know adopted into the royal family raised in there.
and then has a calling through God um to have a destiny of freeing the Hebrew people.
And there's some huge themes in there where it's, you know, the fear of accepting God'scall and the doubt and really having him having the courage to trust in God's plan.
(08:05):
So there's just huge, huge motives in there.
And uh
It's pretty great to go through it all.
And I actually play the father.
So I play the Pharaoh before Ramses ends up taking over and his whole internal conflictwith Moses, Ramses and Moses.
This is my queen.
(08:28):
I am Tuya.
I am his wife.
I am the queen.
I am I actually am the one that finds Moses in floating in the basket in the river.
in the Nile and uh bring him into the family, basically adopt him as our own.
um So she's a great character because she's very nurturing, um but she also alwaysunderstands her duty uh as the queen.
(08:57):
And even though this one can be tough, as the king, know, she tries, I think she's a goodbalancer between knowing that she has to be loyal to what he wants
what he needs for his people, but also to be a supportive mother to Ramses and Moses, thetwo boys, and to nurture Moses when he realizes that he's a Hebrew.
(09:22):
So it's a great part.
It's not a heavy, heavy part, but there's um poignant moments in there, and we're having agreat time.
So it's good to play opposite Ryan, yeah.
gonna say you have, it seems like such a role that you have to balance a lot of differentaspects to who she is and who she is in regards to Ryan's character, the Pharaoh.
(09:46):
But there's probably a great dynamic between the two of you, you know, getting to play offeach other with that.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I actually really like it because after seeing the animated version, the musical stageplay really fleshes out the Pharaoh more to where in the animated version, he is very much
portrayed as just straight villain.
(10:06):
But in this, there are really some great moments to show more of the man behind thePharaoh, who is a loving father, who loves his wife.
and we really have a great chance to explore that relationship.
Yeah, I've had no idea who Tracy was before this show.
Yeah, we just met.
We do so great on stage and we are still finding moments.
(10:28):
I think it was literally last rehearsal where I'm like, hey, what about if we try this,try this?
So we are literally still growing and what the show still opens in a week.
So we have not peaked yet.
We are still on our way.
Well, that's yeah, that's and that's that's a great thing about where exactly where we arein the process, because these you know, these shows are so
huge in that you spend the first month just sitting there learning vocals and then youspend the next couple weeks figuring out where you're supposed to stand and then another
(10:56):
week where you try to make it all flow together and then there are a million costumes andjewelry and things that have to go with everything else we're doing.
So remember when you have to do quick changes and things like that.
But since we're getting so close now, we're kind of at that point where all of that isgelling so that
when we have these moments where it was like, it seemed like it would be natural to maybedo this or add that.
(11:22):
And they give us a lot of creative freedom to really make our characters the best they canbe.
So that's been fun.
So we keep adding little things.
We do.
It's been great.
Not too much.
Not too Yeah.
So what is kind of your process then for developing a character such as this Tracy?
I mean it sounds like you have, know, there's a lot of technical aspects at the beginningof this and you're kind of still fine-tuning that, but how do you approach a character
(11:46):
when you kind of get that script for this role?
Well, you know, it's interesting.
It's interesting and kind of funny in a way because I'm now at that point in my life whereI seem to be getting a lot of the mom roles, not saying I'm old, but you know, it's
happening and I don't actually have any of my own children, but I am, you know, a verynurturing kind of person.
(12:06):
So it's just, for me, it's trying to, you know, when you have enough life experience as Ido to just really try to find, uh
just really find what it means uh and feel it, not just saying the lines, but just, butreally feeling it.
Like how would these two boys, uh how do they need me?
How does he need me?
(12:27):
Who needs me to be what, when?
So I'm really just kind of compartmentalizing when I need to be stoic as the queen, when Ineed to be supportive for the sons, you know, just, it's like subtle things like that.
And it's not a huge role from a lot of lines or things, but the ones that I do have.
they can all be told the right way if you're feeling it, if really feeling it too.
(12:51):
So I mean, I don't know if that really answered your question, but.
Sure, also I've heard I from my drama teacher back in the day that there's no such thingas small roles So just remember that you
well, you know what I mean.
Like, I don't have to carry the show myself, um but yeah, I just try to think about whatthis in this particular role, what I need to be for each of these characters at various
(13:12):
points in the story and try to tell it the best way I can.
How for you, how do you develop a character such as the Pharaoh?
I mean, it's piggybacking off what I said earlier.
It was exactly that.
Like after seeing the animated version, it was hard for me to just imagine that it wasjust a just a straight villain.
(13:35):
um And early on, I would just do line readings over and over.
And I would literally go to Tracy and be like, I think we can probably fit in a momenthere, here, here, here, here, because I would try and find moments where I'm not just
some straight rule, I'm not just chastising, like I wanted to show the love and the depthof me outside of just being a ruler.
(13:57):
So you're like, I don't think I should be mean the whole time.
Well, yeah, I mean, it was just it's, found really great ways and good moments to wherethere's like breaks from the chaos to where I can really show the emotion or maybe in, you
know, a moment of anger, I can just grab Tracy's hand or something because
(14:19):
You know, she grounds him in a way.
And it's not just him ruling.
Like there is some extra power behind the throne.
And I think he gets a lot of his power, charisma and feeling from her as well, keeping himin check.
All right, chill, calm yourself down.
It's so sweet.
It's true.
(14:39):
It is true.
But yeah, I think really just trying to establish the relationships with everyone elsearound everyone really helps me shape how I.
approach each scene and whatnot.
trying to find that humanity in the character.
Yeah, 100%.
Yes, exactly.
So Tracy, you had mentioned earlier that there's quite an interesting way that theensemble is kind of being used in the scenes with the set.
(15:05):
um How do you feel like that helps tell the story visually?
Well, I mean, I can't, I don't want to tell too much because I don't want to give it awaybecause there's some really amazing, really amazing things that happen even right from the
very beginning.
But I mean, I would say this might be a strange answer, but we kind of live in an instantgratification world and, you know, a lot of stimulus, right?
(15:31):
With internet and all these kinds of things.
I feel like having the ensemble be doing a lot of these fluid moments and telling thestory with their dance.
um is very, it's just interesting, visually interesting.
So I think that hour and half or hour and 20 minutes that the first act is, it's justnonstop.
So there really aren't, there really aren't moments as even in the first act where you'rejust sitting there watching one person walking around singing or talking.
(15:59):
So it's just uh constant visual stimulation and along with the beautiful music is amazing.
And then you finally get to the second act and there are some, that's when you,
you really get in touch with some of the leads in these power ballads.
And it's just a neat way to tell the story, having the ensemble, have them do it throughdance and uh becoming the set pieces.
(16:24):
It's really interesting.
Yeah, having them part of the set pieces is pretty great because sometimes they are partof pillars or walls.
it's almost like with the hieroglyphics, the scene comes alive more than just the actorson stage.
They are part of the living history that's making up like past, present, and like thefuture stuff to come that's foretold by like, you know, the classic God moments, giving
(16:50):
prophecies and stuff.
So it's really great thematically.
was gonna say, you took the words right out of my mouth.
This is kind of making it feel more like a living story.
Every book you pick up, it's living as long as you're reading it, and this is kind ofcarrying that message through.
Yeah.
That was well said.
Yeah.
It's good way to put it.
Thank you.
Yeah.
(17:10):
Ryan, how do you feel like this role has challenged you as an actor?
I'm
Hmm, great question.
I don't even know if how I would answer that question.
Well, think.
Oh, jeez.
I think a big thing is like, because I'm like not I'm not a father, so I don't havechildren in there.
But I think in a way, it was good to explore the relationship of having two loves and twoduties in that sense to where, like, sure, my family is a priority.
(17:45):
But so is Egypt.
you know, in every normal day lives, we may have something where we put our kids first,but now there's the added aspect of I am Pharaoh.
If I put my kids first, do I doom an entire nation?
Because in that instance, like the nation probably has to come first.
(18:07):
And I think that's a huge thing that plays into the story is that when it comes to Ramses,he is
the future ruler, so he is way harder on him and less fatherly-like because he knows ofthe future responsibilities his son is going to have.
So it's really trying to find the balance of, yes, I do love my family, but I want to setthem up for it.
(18:33):
So I feel like need to be extra hard, but I need to be the ruler too.
So it's been good trying to find that fatherly balance, but also the ruler of a nation.
I mean, I think my answer would pretty much be the same thing because it's how do you letthe audience see uh these characters uh when they're in their royal duty and then when
(19:03):
they're trying to be supportive for their kids and sometimes it has to switch fast.
And how do the people, how do they view them?
I mean, it's just...
It's, they're interesting characters because they have to play both sides, but they haveto let everyone has to know that they are in control and that they have a duty, but
(19:24):
they're not heartless, you know?
So it is challenging in that way.
I was going say that dichotomy that exists in a ruling class of people has to be hardbecause you still are humans at one point with families, but you have a legion of people
that you have to lead as well.
Well, even to that point too, we've spent some time, basically spent some time practicingbeing royal.
(19:47):
So I mean, everything from the way you carry yourself and the way you walk, your subtlelooks, the way they would or would not react in situations like a normal person would
maybe be spastic about something, they always have to be very reserved and um just tryingto figure out how to wear that royal.
(20:08):
You know, it's interesting.
It's challenging.
But we got it.
you do, you do, you have this.
So switching to the music, we had kind of talked that this is, know, the Stephen Schwartzmusical, that there's very sweeping numbers.
ah Tracy, what is our favorite number to perform, but maybe also what is our favoritenumber to hear that just every night you can't wait to look forward to it?
(20:30):
Good question.
Oh my gosh.
See, Ryan's going to say it better be my song.
Absolutely.
You know, I think probably one of my favorite ones to perform is the opening numberbecause that literally, it deliver us is what it's called, but that literally, just, uh
(20:52):
it's a long sweeping number that has a bunch of phases to it that end up
you know, resulting in Moses coming down the river.
But the music is unbelievable.
I love that number.
It's just one of those ones where you get through the first number and you think, if wedon't have the audience by now, the show is over and we're going to have them because that
(21:18):
opening number is amazing.
But there are a ton of those in this show.
um I think to listen to, was, Moses has a solo in the second act.
is one where I literally am crying.
There's a combo of solos.
I'm not going to give it away.
Moses and Queen Nefertari have solos that I'm crying.
(21:39):
I'm not the only one crying backstage.
They're so beautiful.
Yeah, it's good.
It's a good cry.
is.
Yes.
Thank you.
Tag me and Coach, I was ready.
I think also Deliver Us as well.
um
(22:00):
because that is something I get to be on stage for prior to being the Pharaoh.
um But it is, it's very, very powerful, really sets up the show.
um And vocally, I sing like tenor, so it fits very well in the range too, which is alsofun.
So it's a lot of energy for that one.
um And I think my favorite song is what you were referring to, is Moses's For the Rest ofMy Life.
(22:26):
Yes.
um Yeah.
It really has just some great themes going back and forth of, you know, accepting, um youknow, God's plan and everything else and moving forward.
But really, the line that catches me ah is at the, towards the end of the number.
(22:46):
um For the rest of my life, how will I get through?
And uh that just really catches my heart every time because I feel like
I know, we all can relate to certain things of like trying to accept something or getthrough something.
And, you know, we always think of like, how can I go on after this happened?
(23:08):
And, ah you know, and this it's spoken through such a huge major piece with Moses.
So it's very relatable.
And yeah, it gets me every time.
We also I also like when you believe obviously a lot of people know that that song is oneof the famous songs from the movie.
ah
and the recording, that's the one that...
(23:29):
Houston, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston did it.
But that song is amazing too.
So that's one that, you know, people will, most people might recognize it.
If you didn't, you'll be singing it when you walk out of the theater because ah it's justbeautiful.
Yeah.
Yeah.
that's one of the ones that won the Tony Awards, I'm pretty sure.
Yes.
(23:49):
Yeah.
It's amazing.
It's amazing.
I'm sorry.
Yeah, because I think it was best original song.
Because I think you touched on it earlier, because I think that was the first ah oneoutside of Disney and Pixar to actually win um that award.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I also want to know Ryan if you how you know my questions before you even ask them becausenext the next question was going to be about what themes resonate with you the most and
(24:16):
you were already talking about themes and I was like I was like is he mind reading overthere?
wicked smart, this one is.
I do have mind powers, so I mean, it is true.
That's hilarious.
Well.
So what themes from this show speak to you?
And Ryan, you already answered, but if you have other themes that speak to you as well,feel free to throw them in here.
If not, Tracy, I'm gonna let you take the floor.
(24:38):
Go ahead, Tracy.
Oh, okay.
right.
If I think of anything bonus, I'll throw it in there.
I think I think one of the themes that that that I like is that figuring out who you wantto be and choosing your path.
And like you use the word courage and not being afraid of what other people think.
(25:02):
And just going after what you feel you need to do, you know, regardless.
Regardless, just think, I think that's just like a um you know, a life lesson thateverybody can take out of this is that you gotta trust your own heart and not be afraid to
make hard choices.
And I like that theme.
(25:25):
And just the, you know, the battle with the battle between the boys even with, you know,duty versus what's in their heart.
um
you know, trying to, it's hard to please everyone.
You have to please yourself first.
So I think there's a lot of that in this and the characters trying to be true tothemselves in the story.
(25:49):
So good lessons.
Yeah.
feel like we, I feel like we see that too often in society.
And I feel like I have friends too that we care so much about what everybody else thinkswhat will happen.
And it does, it takes courage to take.
big steps and big choices, but once you finally give in, you know, and you accept yourselfand, you know, your courage to move forward, you really just have such a payoff at the
(26:19):
end.
I just, yeah, belief is such a huge, huge theme in this that I feel like everybody canrelate Yeah, and hope.
mean, hope and miracles and belief and, you know, just, I mean, those are great lessons.
Yeah, there's a lot of that in this.
Yeah, 100%.
And there's a lot of beauty to that story that hopefully audiences will take away and havejust a wonderful time with the Prince of Egypt.
(26:44):
Yeah.
It's gonna be amazing.
Buy your tickets.
Thank you Tracy and Ryan so much for being here with me today.
I won't keep it any longer.
I know you guys gotta get ready for rehearsal, but we are very appreciative to have youhere and we are looking forward to the show.
Thank very much for having us.
It's been good.
Great.
Yep.
For anybody that doesn't have the info, avonplayers.org and there's still time to getseason tickets for a discount for the year, but come see us.
(27:08):
It's going to be amazing.
the Prince of Egypt, the musical arrives at Avon Players on September 12th and runsthrough the 27th.
So get your tickets now and we'll see you at the show.
Thank you.
Thank you.
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