Philly native and actor, Sean Thompson, has returned to the area in numerous roles over the years. His next visit comes with the North American Tour of Funny Girl, arriving at the Academy of Music July 16, 2024. Sean has appeared on Broadway, Television, and is frequently seen onstage at the Walnut Street Theatre. He took some time from the tour to catch up with Phindie!
[Academy of Music, 240 S Broad St.] July 16-28, 2024; ensembleartsphilly.org
Debra Danese: This is the 4th time we’ve had the opportunity to speak, the last being in 2021 when you were starring in the Walnut Street Theatre’s production of The Little Mermaid. Catch us up on what you’ve been doing since then!
Sean Thompson: Nice to hear from you, Debra, and thanks for getting in touch! Let’s see, since I was Prince Eric, I’ve done an off-Broadway production of a new musical retelling of Odysseus (and recorded the original cast album of that); two regional productions as ‘Phoebus’ in The Hunchback of Notre Dame; a tour of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila as ‘Herr Zeller’ in The Sound of Music; and done some recurring work on the AMC TV show The Walking Dead: Dead City. And I’m thrilled to say I’ve been with Funny Girl for almost a year now!
DD: As an ensemble member, what scene do you have the most fun in?
ST: In my ensemble track, I think I have the most fun getting to be a part of some of the big dance numbers. These dancers are truly incredible; to be in their company is humbling and inspiring.
DD: You’re also the understudy for three characters. How do you stay prepared to potentially jump into these roles?
ST: Yep, I get to play Nick Arnstein, Ziegfeld, and Keeney a good amount. As a company, we have understudy rehearsal fairly regularly, sometimes two or three times a week. Nick sings a bunch, so I keep myself in shape on those songs, whether it’s formal voice lessons on Zoom or singing through the score in the shower.
DD: As a Philly native, what are some of your favorite spots to hit when you are back in town?
ST: I will definitely be having lunch at The Good Dog, a piano bar night or two at Tavern on Camac, dinner at El Vez, afternoon jogs up the Schuylkill River Trail, and a trip to the PMA. And since it’s the middle of summer, I hope to visit my family down the shore on a day off.
DD: What’s one non-touristy thing everyone should do when visiting here?
ST: Have a Philly soft pretzel!
Funny Girl will run July 16-28, 2024, at the Academy of Music on the Kimmel Cultural Campus. [240 S Broad St.] ensembleartsphilly.org