Hometown: Duluth, MN
Education: Yale University
Select Credits: Irma La Douce, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, It's...Superman! (Encores!); Twelfth Night, Hamlet (Old Hat Theatre Co.); Meryl Streep as Suzanne Vale in Streepshow! (Ars Nova, Dixon Place)
Why theater?: Adrenaline.
Who do you play in Pope! An Epic Musical?: Pope!
Tell us about Pope! an Epic Musical: In a world where evil roams the Vatican City streets, the true pope must face his inner demons and a dastardly Archbishop to restore peace. It's a film noir crossed with a comic book and set to rock music!
What is it like being a part of Pope! An Epic Musical?: It's a blasphemous amount of fun. I am no good at keeping a straight face and this cast is doing an excellent job of reminding me of that.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: New stories told in classic ways and the reverse. But it's always about story. People who work hard. Always.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: I'm too young yet, but Harold Hill in The Music Man. Or Leo Bloom in The Producers.
What’s your favorite showtune?: Today it might be "Changing My Major" from Fun Home, but usually it's either "Sue Me" from Guys and Dolls or "Hello, Young Lovers" from The King and I.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Mark Rylance and Kelli O'Hara.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Rob Lowe in
"Minnesota Nice". He'd do a lot of rapid monologuing.
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: The original Sweeney Todd or the early 90s revival of Guys & Dolls.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Hand to God!
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Chips and Salsa.
What’s up next?: I'm playing Meryl Streep as Suzanne Vale from Postcards from the Edge opposite eight other Streeps in Streepshow: Episode Two at Dixon Place in July. It is completely outrageous.
For more on Sam, visit www.sambolen.com. For more on Pope! An Epic Musical, visit popethemusical.com or nymf.org
