RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
Edward Staudenmayer’s journey with The Great Gatsby began last summer and included a four-month run in Korea. That experience left a lasting impression on him. Now back on American soil, he’s been introducing audiences to the dark underbelly of the Jazz Age as the notorious Meyer Wolfsheim in the show’s first national tour.
“Korea was amazing. It changed my life, and I made some of the best friends I’ll have forever,” said Staudenmayer (he/him).
Dallas gets the chance to see him in action as Broadway Dallas presents The Great Gatsby: A New Musical which opened on Feb. 17 and runs through March 1 at The Music Hall at Fair Park.
In the show, Staudenmayer plays the gangster character based on an actual person known for the bribery scandal that once fixed the results of the World Series. But he sees Meyer Wolfesheim more as an embodiment of the era’s corruption rather than one real-life person.
“My character is showing the seedy side of Gatsby’s story,” Staudenmayer explained. “I’m in business with Gatsby, but he starts to let things slide, and I have to take care of some business. Plus, I have my big number, ‘Shady,’ which is fun to do.”
The actor has an affable tone to his voice, but somehow, he finds himself playing lots of roles similar to Wolfesheim. The character actor often finds himself drawn to the dark side — or, perhaps casting agents and directors do.
“I play a lot of villains,” he said. “I’m always the bad guy.”
For these roles, he dives deep into his own life. And while he is a proud gay man, Staudenmayer said he doesn’t approach his roles with a queer perspective. That being said, there’s always something of him in each role.
“I don’t approach roles thinking about my identity,” he says. But, he admits, “I do put a piece of me in there.”
In some ways, it’s a catharsis for the actor. Theater is his safe space, but the past is always present for him.
“There’s that disappointment of what my dad may have wanted,” he said. “I tap into that a lot.
It was scary being a little gay boy. I got into the theater because of that gay boy putting on that mask.”
Staudenmayer admires how younger actors come out so early these days, yet he still maintains his own degree of caution.
“It’s a bit scary right now. A lot of things are pushing against us, I’m a little daunted about traveling the country,” he admits. “I love the Midwest, but people are emboldened.”
But again, the theater is his safe space, and Staudenmayer has been thrilled to tour with this show. He assures this version lives on its own, away from the cinematic interpretations. And he’s ready to bring all the opulence and glamour of Gatsby to Dallas.
“This is a big hit. It has fantastic songs,” he enthused. “People know the books and movies, and now there’s this new version that is so exciting. And I love seeing students who know the story since they may be reading it in their classes.”
Staudenmayer’s work has brought him to Dallas-Fort Worth often, so he’s eager to get back.
“I’m excited to see your gayborhood, and I want to take the cast there,” he said, describing the gay scene in Dallas as one of the best.
The actor is really just living in these moments amid touring the country for such a lavish show. He’s contracted to this show for a year and then after that — another bad guy?
Staudenmayer will take it.
“As an actor, you never know what’s next,” he says. “And that’s show biz.”
For tickets, visit BroadwayDallas.org