Texas Actor Channels TV Newsman
BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT ARTHUR:
HOUSTON ACTOR PORTRAYS CHARACTER BASED ON MARVIN ZINDLER IN TUT’S “BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS”
Like many of us Michael Tapley often tuned into TV 13 News to watch investigative reporter Marvin Zindler expose local businesses taking advantage of the little guy or sniff out slime in a restaurant’s ice machine. Although we lost him in 2007, the very mention of Zindlers name today still brings a nostalgic smile to the lips of Houstonians or prompts someone to impersonate his zany sign off: “Maaaarvin Zindler, Eye – Witness Newz”
It’s an image Tapley happily conjures up when he steps into the role of Melvin P. Thorpe in the TUTS production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The character is “loosely” based on the toupee wearing crusader of TV news, but we in Houston know better. It’s Marvin – in all his glory…. played to the hilt by Tapley.
“The script calls for Melvin to be larger than life,” said Tapley, “but Marvin’s TV personality was, in reality, already larger than life. So in the musical my interpretation is larger than larger than life,” he jokes.
The story takes place in the mid-seventies. A self-promoting investigative TV reporter targets the Chicken Ranch just outside of La Grange, Texas. The brothel, so named because patrons used to trade chickens for services, becomes a political and moral football. For all of its bawdy implications, the production is surprisingly rated PG 13 and is lots of non-stop musical fun.
The Original Broadway show debuted in 1978, ran for more than 1500 performances and won two Tony Awards. The production made its way to Los Angeles for a while and then called Las Vegas home for two years. In 2001 a national tour introduced big songs, big jokes, and big hair to the rest of the country.
“In New York and around the nation the Melvin character is well received, but no one really appreciates the fact that it’s hardly an exaggeration. Marvin was a living caricature of himself.” said Tapley. “I’m looking forward to playing the role in Houston where the performance will really be appreciated for what it is – an endearing, funny, loving characterization of a real life icon.”
Tapley is no stranger to TUTS – he has more than 80 of the organization’s productions under his belt. His first stage performance was in 1973 at the Music Hall in a TUT’s Humphreys School of Musical Theater show. He was 10 years old. He attended HSPVA and, upon graduation made a bee line to Broadway where he was hired for the first national tour of 42nd Street.
“I was lucky,” said the Houston based actor who has performed in Broadway and touring productions for the last four decades. He lists touring with the national company of The Who’s Tommy as one of his career highlights. “I got to play the title role in Germany and here in Houston at the Miller Theater.”
Does he regret heading to the Big Apple right out of high school? “Yes. After forty years of doing this – roles are getting fewer and limited. I love the business, but wish I had a learned skill or degree to fall back on. I’m now planning to combine my acting with going back to school.” Or Michael, here’s an idea. Just maybe TV 13 has an opening for an investigative reporter – playing this role - you’d fit right in.
The TUTS production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas runs June 5th through June 17th at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. For ticket information, call 713-558-8887 or go to http://www.tuts.com/
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