While it seems like flashy high tech Broadway productions are all the rage these days there is still one thing that never quite gets old, catchy songs, extravagant dance numbers, and of course chasing the quintessential American dream. The Tony award winning 42nd Street is all that and more and Salt Lake audiences will have a chance to experience that for themselves when 42nd Street bring its New York glitz to the Capitol Theatre stage from September 22nd through the 27th.
42nd Street is a musical based on the novel by Bradford Ropes as well as a 1933 film adaption of the same name. The musical originally premiered in 1980 and won a Tony Award for Best Musical and its 2001 Broadway revival won a Tony for Best Revival. The story follows rags to riches rise of a starry-eyed young dancer who leaves her small town home for the bright lights of New York and becomes a star.
“42nd Street is about the American dream, it’s the quintessential Broadway musical,” says Steven Bidwell, who plays Bert Berry in the musical. “I read the original book from 1933 and it’s still applicable to the life of an actor in 2015.”
Bidwell knows quite a bit about the life of a modern actor as he has starred in numerous stage production as well as multiple roles in film and on television. Bidwell has quite literally taken the road less travelled in achieving his success as he grew up in Ottawa, Canada and didn’t have much exposure to theatre. After high school he traveled the South Pacific in an effort to find himself and fell in love with travel which gave him direction on what he wanted to do with his life.
He eventually pursued a degree in Recreation Management from Acadia University in Nova Scotia but it wasn’t until he worked at Disney World and met other actors that he realized his passion for acting and that he could turn that love into a profession. He went back to school to study acting at The Vancouver Film School and eventually graduated from the prestigious Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York City.
“It took me a while to figure out where I wanted to be and what I wanted to do,” relates Bidwell. “But I’m happy with the way I did things and coming into acting as an adult instead of a child gave me a different perspective on things.”
Because Bidwell didn’t take the normal path to success like the average actor he has a unique outlook on life and pursuing a career that he loves. As a result his experience of finding himself and having the courage to follow his dreams serves as a blueprint for any university student still unsure of what they want to do with their life.
“The best advice is to persevere. It certainly doesn’t happen overnight, everyone has a certain time that works best for them,” says Bidwell. “I have many friends who were very talented but didn’t want to take the time to wait to find their mark and chose different career paths. Find other interests, explore other things, don’t stress and do what you love. If you do what you love it will all come together.”
Bidwell has certainly followed his own advice which has led to a fruitful career and a role in 42nd Street that he states is “amazing” with “some of the most well known songs in musical history.” Bidwell isn’t exaggerating as the musical is chock full of catchy memorable show tunes like “We’re In The Money” and “I Only Have Eyes For You.” Bidwell also relates that he often stands backstage in the wings to watch the closing dance number which he describes as “powerful.”
“I love watching the show. The cast is phenomenal and the production team is amazing,” says Bidwell. “It’s a spectacle, the show never lets up and you will leave with a huge smile on your face. It’s a very powerful experience”
42nd Street arrives in Salt Lake City for a limited run September 22nd through the 27th. Tickets are on sale at the Capitol Theatre box office and online at https://arttix.artsaltlake.org/