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In Good Company
When it comes to Broadway, “triple-threats” are considered to be those performers who excel as acting, singing and dancing. In a 2006 revival of Company, the cast brought a new definition to the term as each cast member was responsible to act, sing and cover all of the instrumentation. Matt Castle, Beta Pi (University of the Pacific) '90, was part of the 14-member cast that produced a 2007 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, as well as nominations in two other categories.
Castle tries to avoid answering questions that ask if he is more of an actor or a musician. He doesn't like to be categorized.
His rationale can be traced back to his time as a collegiate member. His chapter wasn't just comprised of musicians, but had a number of engineering majors as well. It wasn't odd to see members jump into different offices from year to year, either.
“I think you can be ‘all of the above,'” he said.
Castle recognized the unique experience that Sinfonia provides collegiate
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Matt Castle (fourth from the left) with the cast of Company at the Tony Awards. |
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members. As a music education student, he was part of a probationary class of twelve, which virtually doubled the size of the chapter. As a five-year collegiate member, he held a number of leadership positions, including fraternity education officer and president. Taking advantage of their size, the chapter was able to put on a number of recitals annually and became well-known in the community.
“There is a specific type of energy that comes from being that age,” he recalled. “You put all of that together with the time and place we were and it became a vibrant and enthusiastic time.”
After honing his skills as an actor, singer and pianist at a number of summer and community productions, Castle decided to immerse himself in the theater scene in New York. He didn't rush to get there, as he didn't move until he was 28 years old. In doing so, he avoided a number of the growing pains and rites of passage that would be associated with a theater career.
Matt Castle in his role as Peter in Company. |
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In Company, Castle played the role of Peter, one of ten friends (five couples) of the main character, Robert. Robert has to come to terms with who he is as a person. In doing so, he goes through a series of events that he has experienced with these couples, as well as three women he has been dating. He begins to examine where he fits and what relationships mean to him.
“As long as he defines himself with those people, he can never become his own man,” Castle described.
Because this is all in the character's head, his friends make the music through their relationship with him. The cast moves around the stage with their instruments and play them as part of the performance. In many cases, the performers have to choreograph their singing with the instrumental arrangement.
“The story of his friends weaves together in a complicated, contrapuntal way,” explained Castle. “Identities of characters are fused with our identities as orchestral players.”
As the eight-month run of the show started to wind down, they were notified that the show as nominated for three Tony Awards. There was mix of excitement for the nominations the show received and disappointment for areas that were overlooked. With so many successful productions, there was no way to know which awards they would walk away with. That said, just getting nominated is an honor by itself. |
Castle said, “To be a part of a show that was nominated for three Tony awards is a great way to start a Broadway career.”
After the show closed in July 2007, Castle still found himself in good company with the Fraternity. Even though the social experiences of the Fraternity are no longer as frequent in his life, he still feels the desire to remain involved with Sinfonia. In January 2008, he flew to Evansville, Indiana, to take part of a recording session with a small ensemble of vocalists to put a number of Sinfonian songs onto CD.
Castle concluded, “Sinfonia gave me the language to identify and move forward with my own purpose in life. I feel I have a debt of gratitude to the Fraternity.”
To read more about Matt Castle, go to www.mattcastle.com. |
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