Bursting with enthusiasm for life, theater and Northwestern University, Broadway actor and NU alumnus Gene Weygandt was clearly blessed with a gift for performing. A graduate of the School of Communication, he has received numerous theater-related awards and played roles in countless films and television shows. Weygandt is now starring as Professor Callahan in the Marriott Theatre’s production of “Legally Blonde: The Musical” opening next week. The Ottawa native tells us how he went from singing in a “mediocre” cover band, to teaching high school, to achieving a successful career in showbiz.
Excerpts:
The Current: Why did you choose to go to Northwestern for graduate school?
Gene Weygandt: Well, I was teaching at the time and wanted an advanced degree and loved the interpretive department. The faculty there basically wrote the books on [it].
The Current: How did your experiences at Northwestern shape your time in the acting business?
GW: I think my experience at Northwestern fed it in terms of having the confidence and tools to approach a wide variety of performance and a broad range of writing. [It] gave me enormous insights and tools that were really quite unique.
The Current: What advice do you have for younger students just starting out in the business?
GW: Keep going and don’t let anybody tell you [that] you can’t. Can you underline and put italics in that? But I do believe that quite sincerely.
The Current: What is the hardest part about your job?
GW: For me, that has varied over time. These days, to some degree, I have been a victim of my success… I’ve missed a lot of friendships and weekend activities because I’ve been involved in weekend attractions.
The Current: What are you more passionate about, singing or acting?
GW: That’s a good question! I guess that’s a really tough question. I think everyone should sing everyday with no exception. They’re about equal, but I would have to lean towards acting. I’ve sung since I was a kid; not everyone enjoyed it.
The Current: What have your favorite roles been?
GW: For a variety of reasons one of my favorites is “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” in Wicked because of the way the audience reacted to the play. I met so many fans–such a gift to be a part of that. Other than that, Jean Shepherd in “A Christmas Story, The Musical!” because I loved the way the piece was set up. I got to see it eight times a week! You never get to see the shows you’re in!
The Current: How do you feel about being the only mean character in “Legally Blonde”?
GW: Oh, it’s great fun! Being the bad boy is always fun! I’m not really such a bad guy, really.
“Legally Blonde: The Musical” opens January 27 and runs through April 1.
–Alyssa Clough
