The US Tour of Come From Away has arrived in town and I had the opportunity to interview one of the cast members! Harter Clingman, who calls Chicago home when not on the road, portrays Oz Fudge in the award-winning show and discusses what makes Come From Away so special, life on the road, and shares some wisdom for future performers.
How does Come From Away differ from what most audiences imagine a musical to be?
We often mention that Come From Away is the non-musical-goers window into musical theater. The true-to-life aspects of this story usually draw in audiences that would otherwise avoid "glitzy" dance numbers and hammed-up humor. That isn't to say that I don't love musical comedies; they were my gateway in loving theater in general, but I do think that there is something to be said about focusing on the integrity of living, breathing humans' true stories to the stage that captures most people's attention.
I once overheard someone refer to Come From Away as "the show about 9/11", but how would you describe it?
We like to describe Come From Away as a show about 9/12. How did we come together to comfort one another and move through unfathomable suffering? We may even help you forget about your own suffering for a moment, the same way Gander, Newfoundland did for so many strangers from across the Globe. Despite some difficult reminders of the events of 9/11, I promise you'll feel an uplift leaving our show.
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Playing multiple characters is rewarding and challenging. We get the question, "How did you learn all of that?" all the time. Repetition and dedication have made performing this show feel like second nature, but the beauty of this show is that it feels fresh all the time. It can feel renewed when events in the news shift, or it can feel fresh when one or more of our standbys are on that night. I'll give a shoutout to the hardest working members of our company, our "standbys" (or understudies, for those unfamiliar with the term). If you think it's impressive for one role, with multiple characters, to be learned; try learning five roles without the guarantee of going on night after night.
What is it like to portray an actual person, from a very real historical event that happened in our lifetime?
It's the privilege of a lifetime, one that I may never have again in my career. Just the fact that I could get Oz Fudge on the phone right now, or that we occasionally check in with one another, can feel quite surreal. Our true-life counterparts are wonderful people with a wealth of insight into the events that took place in Gander, in 2001.
What is your favorite thing about touring with the show and, aside from the ups & downs of COVID, what is your least favorite part of touring?
Touring, especially with Come From Away, has provided countless opportunities to see North America and to meet people with wildly varied life experiences. It's been a joy to listen to new perspectives and to have strangers willingly share their own stories with us. Also, my wife and I love to hike with our dog. This touring company is different from others in that it has been very conducive to keeping families together, including canine companions. To make that easier, I drive the tour, which has only made seeing North America that much more enjoyable. The drives can be long, especially with only a single day off between cities, but the freedom of being on the road has been invaluable. Some days, touring can make you feel a little unanchored, but I love the people I work with, and I love having my family together most of the time. I'm very fortunate.
I understand that you currently live in Chicago when not touring. What are some of your favorite spots in the city - those places you look forward to going back to when back in town?
As I mentioned before, I love to hike. Engaging with the outdoors gives me a greater appreciation for any place I happen to be--this has been particularly useful in the years I've been a Chicagoan. I love the Forest Preserves of Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties, and I also love Lakeshore Trail that runs from North to South Chicago--those parks are a gem of life in this city. My friends and family can attest to my coffee fanaticism--it is likely you'll find me at Dark Matter, Metropolis, Gaslight, or Bridgeport Coffee Roasters.
I love incorporating local families and kids into my opportunities with Macaroni KID Chicago as often as possible, and I received some great questions from a group of local students and Harter was kind enough to answer them for us.
Growing up, when did you first think, "I want to be a performer and be on stage" and what is one role that you would love to perform?
My parents met in community theater, and they introduced me to a lot of fantastic musical recordings. Theater and music have always been a lifeline in my family. So, the decision to attend Columbia College Chicago and pursue a career in the arts only seemed natural. Pinpointing when the decision came is difficult, but I can say that living and working in Chicago reinforced my love for theater. Chicago treats the arts with a healthy dose of blue-collar integrity, focusing on the collective rather than the individual; that sentiment stuck and even applies well to Come From Away. One dream I've been formulating for a future project would be playing Mitch in "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams. More than anything, I'll be looking for more challenges and growth, whether that be in another musical, in a contemporary play, or in Shakespeare.
For the parents of children who love performing - singing, acting, storytelling - what is your advice to those parents?
Foster your child's love of the arts. I believe the arts have the power to change the world, to change hearts, to change minds; even if just to bring a bit of joy into their life, or the lives of people around them.
For those kids who aspire to be on stage one day - what do you say to them?
Be true to yourself--we are our best, most creative, selves when we are our most authentic selves. Work hard. Be persistent. Find moments to simply PLAY!
Come From Away is being performed now through March 6 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre on Randolph St. This is a show, not about the events of 9.11, but the events that played out in the days afterward and when a small Newfoundland town welcomed thousands of stranded passengers from around the globe. This is a show about real events and real people. This is a show that reminds us of the good in people and how together we can be better.
Tickets are now available HERE and Come From Away is recommended for audience members ages 10 and up.
