半岛体育

Major Attaway, best known for playing several stints as a roof-raising Genie in the Broadway and national touring productions of Disney's Aladdin, can currently be heard Off-Broadway in the hit revival of Little Shop of Horrors.

Attaway is lending his deep, rich tones to The Voice of Audrey II in the long-running revival of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's cult classic, which follows the romance between two down-on-their-luck workers on Skid Row and a plant (Audrey II) that wants to take over the world. Attaway is joined in the Michael Mayer-directed production at the Westside by Elizabeth Gillies as Audrey, Milo Manheim as Seymour, Jeremy Kushnier as Dr. Orin Scrivello, Reg Rogers as Mushnik, Tiffany Renee Thompson as Ronnette, Daria Pilar Redus as Crystal, and Morgan Ashley Bryant as Chiffon. 

Attaway has also played Fatty Arbuckle in the City Center Encores! staging of Mack & Mabel, while his regional credits include productions of Jolly Holiday and The Drowsy Chaperone. His work on screen includes Orange Is the New Black, Carter High, and The Time Travelers Wife. Also a voice actor, he鈥檚 voiced numerous characters in anime, video games, and narrations, including Pokemon, Borderlands 3, and Dragonball Z Kai.

In the interview below for the 半岛体育 series How Did I Get Here鈥攕potlighting not only actors, but directors, designers, musicians, and others who work on and off the stage to create the magic that is live theatre鈥擜ttaway shares what it's like to voice a character without being seen and a memorable costume malfunction from Aladdin.

Where did you train/study?
Major Attaway: I learned how to sing lead at church. I learned how to sing in a chorus at the Texas Boys Choir. I learned how to act in an ensemble at Casa Ma帽ana Theatre. I learned how to originate lead roles at Jubilee Theater. One year at Chicago College of Performing Arts and one at Texas Wesleyan University.

Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
Rudy Eastman. Co-founder of Jubilee Theater. He helped me to see consistent value in my authenticity at 16. He would write original pieces as well as interpret theatre classics to reflect my life experience. Lessons I use to ground myself in the work to this day.

What are the challenges/rewards of performing in a show when you are seen but not heard?
I spend most days in a voiceover booth anyway, so it doesn鈥檛 change my routine too much. I can really let loose with the facial expressions since no one is watching, though I鈥檇 imagine it鈥檇 be pretty entertaining. I use a lot of nonverbals to bring my side of the plant to life. It can be challenging to stay active in such a confined space. I have a yoga mat and weights and such in the booth to occupy my downtime. It鈥檚 a little easier when your track has a tap number in it.

Rewards are easy. I don鈥檛 have to wear pants.

How do you coordinate with the person who is physically manipulating Audrey II?
The nonverbals also work as timing cues for our fearless puppeteers, they have an IEM [in-ear monitor]. But on my end, I do my best to keep my timing as consistent as possible so they know what to expect enough to anticipate my entrances. I also have the script on hand, but don鈥檛 tell anyone, okay?!

You've played the Genie both in the Broadway and touring productions of Aladdin. Did you have a favorite moment in the show for him? What made that part so special?
Absolutely. The moment the curtain opened to begin the show was always my favorite. It was an honor to be the first Broadway memory for so many people. So many travel great lengths to witness this live art possibly just one time. Taking on that responsibility helped me kick my face with fervor.

Can you share a favorite stage mishap from any production?
The Genie wears a tear-away zoot suit top of Act 2. One day we had two swings on of very much contrasting height to do the pull and reveal. I was supposed to stand still. I did not. I foolishly tried to adjust my arms for the differing height of the two men. I raised left and lowered my right when I should鈥檝e done, again, nothing. Thanks to me, I was left on stage with half a suit and full embarrassment!

Do you have a dream stage role or stage acting partner?
Dream scene partners. Samuel L. Jackson, Keith David, Colman Domingo, Lashana Lynch, Regina King, wait, did you say just one?

What is the most memorable day job you ever had?
Most memorable day jobs. Good: massage therapist. Bury me at a spa. Worst: Halloween pop-up store. People are savages.

Tell me about a job/opportunity you really wanted but didn鈥檛 get. How did you get over that disappointment?
In 2021, I was being considered for the voice of a national brand. It was down to two people and鈥eah. Rather than let it fester, I chose to view it as confirmation that I鈥檓 moving in the right direction. Now, of course, this was easier after the two-year campaign ended, and I didn鈥檛 have to hear the commercials everywhere anymore.

What do you wish you knew starting out that you know now?
I wish I knew that theatre is a moneymaking business like any other. I would鈥檝e appreciated that veil being lifted sooner.

What is your proudest achievement as an actor?
Proudest achievement as an actor: Seeing my face in Times Square.

close gallery

0 of

Photos: Elizabeth Gillies and Milo Manheim in Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway

Next Slide  

You may also like

• 
  Photos: Robyn Hurder, Caroline Bowman, More in Smash
• 
  10 Years of The Last Five Years with PLAYBILLDER
• 
  Photos: Jay Armstrong Johnson, Ariana Rosario, More in the Moulin Rouge! The Musical North American Tour