(From Maggi) Thanks to everyone who submitted questions for Eric recently. I will begin posting his answers as he gets to them. Here are the ones we have so far (in the order they were received):
Questions Part I:
What do you do for fun when you are not working on a show?
I go boating and spend time in Palm Springs
Are you planning to do another CD? If so, when can we hope to see it? We are wearing out the last one.
Yes - its in the works!
Will it be a Christmas CD?
No, but maybe in the next year or two
Have you ever wanted to write a musical?
No - not my thing.... maybe if I had an amazing idea.
Out of all your shows, which is your favorite song, and why?
Dont have one!
Do you hear us screaming after you finish a song, or should we scream louder? :-) Louder is always good. LOL No, I usually dont get to hear what is heard in the audience. But its nice to know you are out there!
I have tried to imagine what it's like to step out on stage and see a few thousand people waiting to hear you speak or sing. Could you describe what that feels like for you? Depends how prepared you are. The more prepared - the more fun and relaxed
When you perform in a small theater and the audience is close, is it hard to keep focused when someone is doing something distracting?
Yes - but its always good to keep us on our toes and concentrate
Questions Part II:
Are you and Gina (Feliccia) planning any more concerts together?
We are planning workshops, but no concerts at this time.
Have you ever considered doing Jekyl and Hyde? I think you'd be really great in the lead of that musical.
I'm not really familiar with it, but it is going on tour in the coming months with McCoy/Rigby productions starring Constantine Maroulis from American Idol. Its should be a great production.
You'd make a fabulous Phantom. Do you hope to do that someday?
Yes - I DO hope to play Phantom some day. Its in my 5 year plan ;-)
Between shows, do you still vocalize every day at home to keep in practice?
No, i try to rest vocally when Im not working and gear up a few weeks before I have the next show.
How do you feel about fans waiting for you at the stage door after performances?
I think its great - I just feel bad when I cant spend as much time as I would like!
What role that you have not played would you like to play?
Billy in "Carousel" is on my list...
Would you like someone to create an original musical theater role for you and what kind of role would you like it to be? That is in the works - its called "Brindlebeast" and its in the next phase of its development. More to come...
If you were not a performer, would you ever want to do a behind-the-scenes job--such as directing?
I have directed two pieces and it was very enjoyable. I like working with actors on that level as well as the technical aspect of putting together a show.
Where would you love to perform that you have not already been to?
Anywhere in Europe!!
What is your favorite food? Drink?
I have too many favorites - but I love Japanese food
What is the most unique and/or beautiful venue where you have performed?
The St Louis FOX theater is amazing, as well as The Kennedy Center in DC with Miss Saigon when I first joined the tour.
Where is your favorite place in the world?
St Barths Caribbean Island
When did you realize that you wanted to make singing/acting your career? Are you surprised at your success?
My senior year of High School. I'm constantly surprised and grateful to be working.
How do you keep balanced/grounded with all of your fame and success?
Easy - I don't have fame, and I have some success. ;-)
Will you be making more CDs??
(YES!! YES!!! YES!!!!)
What are some of your passions?
Architecture and the art of Real Estate
Do you ever get tired of doing the same show over and over again? How do you keep it fresh each night?
No - the pieces that I get to repeat often are ones that are GREAT pieces and very gratifying to do. I'm lucky that way.
Which role has been the most difficult for you to find access to or to play and why?
That would be "Whistle Down The Wind". The character of The Man is very tormented, mysterious to the audience, and under extreme circumstances -personally, mentally and physically. (sounds like the "other" Jesus character) ;-)
He only interacts with one character in the show, and that relationship is very delicate and complex. It was a very challenging, but ultimately rewarding piece on all levels - typical of Andrew Lloyd Weber!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Eric Answers Your Questions
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Eric's Radio Interview
Here is a live interview with Eric about Little Mermaid in Sacramento:
http://www.kfbk.com/player/?mid=22234097
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Questions for Eric?
Friday, June 15, 2012
See Eric in "The Little Mermaid" July 10th to 22nd in Sacramento
"One of the most ravishing things I have seen on a Broadway stage."
A fanclub meeting/dinner will be held on Friday, July 20th before the show. (Location to be announced). You don't need to attend the show to come to the fanclub meeting. But I do need to put you on the guestlist if you are planning to attend the dinner. (email me at maggiwun@yahoo.com) I am looking forward to seeing you all! I'm hoping Eric will have time to come and say hi.
The Music Circus production of "The Little Mermaid" is a coup for Sacramento, as this will be the only city in the country outside New York to have a production. More reading about this new, original and revamped version streamlined to the unique Music Circus round stage here.
Hear one of Prince Eric's songs on a YouTube version here. Can't wait to hear our Eric sing this!
Ticket information and calendar at the California Musical Theater website.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Vocal Master Class
Monday, May 14, 2012
Ottawa: A Retrospective
From Maggi: After returning home from a five day trip to Ottawa and seeing the "Do You Hear the People Sing" concert three nights in a row I am still basking in the glow of hearing Eric sing in a venue and with an orchestra worthy of his talent. He looked very handsome in his Hugo Boss tux, a fact noticed each night by the females around me in the audience when he walked onstage. His song, the forceful "I'm Martin Guerre" from that musical and the angelic, tender, "Bring Him Home" from Les Mis were highlights for me. Each night as he came in the lobby he was surrounded by admiring fans, young and old, male and female, hoping for an autograph and/or photo. It's a shame this concert wasn't taped to show the world. It was certainly as good as many things that are shown on PBS. Now that I am home, I am grateful for the many sweet memories I have to cherish. Thank you Eric!
Photos by Maggi Wunschl
(To download click on the yellow icon in the left bottom corner, which will take you to my Picasa Web Album)
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Tales from the Front: Day Three
What an amazing end to an amazing concert! The chemistry onstage, along with the energy from the audience made the atmosphere electric and the audience responded with thunderous applause and three standing ovations. On the way out of the auditorium I could hear people commenting on the excellent performances, and in particular "that man who sang 'Bring Me Home". Eric, Lea Terrance and Kathy were inundated for autographs and photos and business was brisk at the CD table. It was an exhilarating evening!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Tales from the Front: Day Two
From Maggi: the weather was much nicer today, with warmer temps enabling us to enjoy a tulip walk and lunch at a great little place in Byward Market. The concert tonight was as good, if not better than last evening with the added bonus of an onstage surprise visit of Alain Boublil. The audience was very appreciative of the performers and responded by long standing ovations. Once again, the auditorium seemed to be filled to capacity. The cast was in the lobby afterward signing autographs and we met several new Eric fans, among them Shirley and Andrew (pictured here.)
We had the privilege of meeting Alain Boublil and his lovely wife Marie Zamora
Friday, May 11, 2012
Review: Do You Hear the People Sing - A Concert Celebrating the Work of Boublil and Schonberg, Performing Arts Center, Ottawa, Canada - May 9-12, 2012
It was a nine hour drive across the border to Ottawa from Detroit, Michigan, but I wouldn't have missed for the world the opportunity to hear Eric Kunze's heavenly tenor once again. The beautiful auditorium at the Performing Arts Center, with its excellent acoustics, was the perfect venue for the outstanding voices we heard on Thursday evening. Having ordered tickets for two of the nights online months ago, I wasn't intending to attend Thursday's performance as well, but knowing Eric was singing, I just couldn't stay away. We were sitting in the "nose bleed" section of the upper balcony, due to the fact the 2323 seat theater was nearly sold out. Despite our altitude we could hear every note and every word.
The audience was engaged from the first few notes of the orchestra's specially written overture, composed of snippets of the shows for which Boublil and Schonberg are famous, a foreshadowing of what was to come. Each of the songs were introduced with personal anecdotes and banter between the artist and conductor Jack Everly. The excellent Terrance Mann opened the Miss Saigon set with Bui Doi, accompanied by the thrilling men's chorus of the Ottawa Festival Chorus. Jack Everly introduced Lea Salonga, who began her career at the age of 17 as Kim in the first Miss Saigon. Eric (as Marius) and Lea (as Eponine) starred together on Broadway in Les Miserables and haven't sung together since. After so many years, the magic was still there as they sang the romantic Last Night of the World. Her dramatic I'd Give my Life for You conveyed the heartbreak of a single mother giving up her only child, with a mature understanding and interpretation of the lyrics that only life experience can bring.
I was excited to hear Eric sing from Martin Guerre and the title song didn't disappoint. The lyric intensive song told a story, accompanied by forceful vocals and Eric was transformed into Martin himself. I would love to see him play this role! It was followed by his duet with Marie Zamora, Live With Someone You Love (also from the same musical), their voices blending perfectly.
The second half brought music from The Pirate Queen, which starred Kathy Voytko on Broadway. Her sparkling rendition of Woman made me wish I could see this musical again. She and Eric performed If I Said I Loved You from that show.
Saving the best for last, the Les Miserables set included, in part, On My Own, At the End of the Day, Master of the House (hilariously performed by Mann and Voytko) and Stars (Mann). A Heart Full of Love gave us a chance to imagine what it would have been like to see Eric as Marius. He not only sings but conveys the emotion which transforms him into the characters he is singing about. When Eric started singing Bring Him Home, an etherial hush fell over the audience. We almost held our breath, not wanting to break the spell he wove over us. The notes wafted up into the rafters and brought tears to my eyes. How is it humanly possible to sing like this? As the song ended there was a pause, allowing the moment to linger, before the audience erupted into thunderous applause.
The finale, One Day More, brought the entire cast, orchestra and chorus together for a thrilling conclusion to this concert of excellence. The audience was on its feet for a rousing ovation as the cast bowed, exited and returned to the stage once again. The encore was, obviously, Do You Hear the People Sing, again to ovations and thunderous applause from the appreciative crowd. Yes, we definitely heard the people sing. It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of this wonderful evening. (Written by Maggi Wunschl)
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Tales from the front: Ottawa
Terrance Mann, Kathy Voytko, Eric Kunze
Hi fans,
I am in chilly Ottawa ready to see the first performance of "Do You Hear the People Sing - the Dream Concert" tonight. It was an overcast day and temps no more than around 50 degrees. Had breakfast at the Mayflower Cafe on Elgin Street and walked about two miles to the Museum of Civilization. Resting now in the room before heading over to the National Arts Center for the concert. I will report fully after today's performance and probably will be adding more on the two subsequent nights. I feel very lucky to be able to be here enjoying another stellar Eric performance!
Talk to you soon,
Maggi