The Purple Rose Theatre Company

Richard Henzel

Richard is pleased to be making his Purple Rose debut this month, taking over the role of “Norman” in On Golden Pond. Richard has over 40 years of theatre, television and film experience. Locally, he appeared at Stormfield Theatre in Lansing in last season's Heroes. Regionally, he has worked at many prestigious theatres, including Madison Repertory, Human Race, Cincinnati Playhouse, Florida Stage, Illinois Theatre Center, New American Theatre, Cleveland Music Hall, Skowhegan Playhouse, and Brooklyn Center at Brooklyn College. In Chicago: Second City, Goodman, Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, Lookingglass, North Light, Shaw Chicago, The Gift, Artistic Home, Ravinia, and Marriott’s Lincolnshire, among many others. Since 1967, in his Mark Twain In Person he has given over a thousand performances in 40 states, Canada, and Great Britain.

We asked Richard to tell us a little more about himself and what it’s like to be here at the Purple Rose:

It was during an entire summer, nearly fifty years ago--1965 to be exact--that I served my Equity Apprenticeship at a "star system" summer stock theatre called Canal Fulton Summer Arena, not far from Akron and Canton, Ohio.

I was then about the same age as Ian and Milo (our talented young actors sharing the role of Billy). So this first experience with Purple Rose is bringing back a lot of memories. When I see Ian and Milo eagerly and joyfully absorbing the atmosphere of serious, professional theatre artists, see them realizing the possibility that there really is such thing as a career as an actor--a dream which may seem just as far away for them now as it did for me then, I am carried back to that summer of 1965, when I met film icon Pat O'Brien.

He was the star of over a hundred well-known films, including that of the football coach of Knute Rockne (Ronald Reagan) in "Knute Rockne--All American." In the sixties, in the summertime, O'Brien, along with his wife and daughter, toured all over the states to small summer stock theatres. Every two weeks, for many summers, they opened in a different town in this one play: "Time Out For Ginger." They would recast all of the other roles locally. "Time Out For Ginger" was about a high school girl (Ginger) who becomes the high school's quarterback. Rehearse one week, perform one week, then move on to the next theatre. The play included a stirring half-time speech delivered by Mr. O'Brien, as well as an exciting description of the climactic touchdown.

When they [the O’Briens] arrived in Canal Fulton, I was cast as Ginger's teenaged boyfriend, Tommy. I still have my signed publicity photo from Mr. O'Brien, which he signed, "To Tommy--Action, my boy!!" When I pointed out to "Father Flanagan of Boy's Town" that my name (then) was Rick, not Tommy, he looked at me sternly and said, "You're ALL Tommy."

So being here brings back good memories to see our young players. I'm sure they appreciate the profound respect, affection, and support from Guy, Michelle, and everyone here that I've felt since I arrived in Chelsea to recite beautiful literature, in this profoundly beautiful production, with this talented and beautiful cast. It's also a profound honor to be asked to follow the great John Peakes in this lovely role.

Oh, and by the way, it was my voice, which woke Phil Connors (Bill Murray) every morning in "Groundhog Day" shouting "Rise and shine campers! And don't forget your booties, cause it's coooold out there this morning!!" But that's a story for another time.

- Richard Henzel