Andy Karl Talks About Playing Rocky Balboa on Broadway

Craig / / 2014, Rocky Musical


On February 24, 2014, Broadway.com ran an interview with Andy Karl conducted by Kathy Henderson.  In the interview Karl talks about taking on the role of Rocky Balboa.  Here are some tidbits…

Would you get in the ring with Sylvester Stallone?
Not a chance.

Speaking of riding a fine line, what’s the secret to portraying Rocky without veering into a parody of Sylvester Stallone? 
I’m taking on some of the mannerisms Sylvester Stallone created, but I also have to let it be truthful to me. The music is character-driven and I am naturally a baritone, so the score fits right in my sweet spot. It’s actually pretty simple—for me, and for most of America, Rocky is a living, breathing person, and I’m honoring the character enough that I don’t have to rely on Stallone’s take on everything. He picked me; he’s trusting me with this, and that’s a huge honor.

Hollywood Loves Its Aging Action Heroes

Craig / / 2014, Celebs

On February 16, 2014, the New York Post ran an article titled Hollywood Loves Its Aging Action Heroes by Reed Tucker.  It is worth a read. 

Here are two tidbits….

  • The biggest names in action movies today are virtually identical to the 1980s and early 1990s. Sylvester Stallone is 67. Arnold Schwarzenegger is 66. Liam Neeson is 61. Wee pup Bruce Willis is 58.

 

  • Take Schwarzenegger and Stallone’s “Escape Plan.” The 2013 movie earned just $25 million stateside, leading many critics to label it a bomb. But it earned $110 million overseas.