Name?
Andrew Gombas
What's your role in Stereophonic?
Understudy for PETER and CHARLIE
Can you tell us a little bit about the show?
The show follows a band in the 1970s on the cusp of superstardom as they attempt to record their next album.
Can you tell us a little bit about your characters?
Peter is the guitarist and principle songwriter in the band when the play starts. He’s a thrilling character to play - he is extraordinarily talented and incredibly driven, and that combination leads to a lot of combustible moments in the show. His desire for perfection, his belief in his own ability, and his inability to communicate his feelings come together in this powder keg of a man that you can’t help but feel for even as you imagine throttling him. On the other hand, Charlie is this beautiful weirdo. He works as an engineer on the album, and exists sort of just outside a lot of the conflict in the show. It’s this beautiful sort of “another day at work” energy that exists in contrast to the rock stars clashing around him.
Andrew in Stereophonic costume
How was the rehearsal process?
Most understudies begin work a week or two before previews begin. Our process began alongside the principle cast, so we had a chance to develop these characters with much more time and attention from the creative team than most understudies get. As someone who has been playing in bands since he was 13, getting to play in this world has been a dream. It’s not every day you get to be in a 70s rock band, hit every emotional high and low, and work with a bunch of Tony winners. It’s been an absolute dream come true.
Andrew in rehearsals for Stereophonic
How is life on the road? Any favorite spots you’ve visited so far?
I miss my wife - it’s hard spending months apart from your favorite person in the world, but so many of us are dealing with being apart from our partners, so there’s plenty of support. Everyone is so wonderful, and the understudy cast in particular has been a dream to work with. I started my career in Cleveland, so it means so much to be back here in town. I was an actor/teacher for Great Lakes Theater’s education department many (many) years ago, so it’s so cool to be back in town with such a great show. And I’m from Chicago, so, of course, I’m so excited to be back there. Midwest pride!
Stereophonic understudies at the Magic Castle in L.A.
What is your pre-show ritual / warmup?
I have a long vocal warm-up I do at home, and then it’s mostly stretches and drinking water. Exciting stuff!
Do you have a favorite moment in the show?
There’s a moment, and I don’t want to spoil it for you, but there’s a moment of real conflict in a recording booth where three characters are trapped overdubbing vocals. It’s brutal and hilarious and raw, and I loved it when I saw it off-Broadway and I love it now.
Where are you from originally & where did you train as a performer?
I grew up in Naperville, Illinois as corn-fed, deep-dish enthusiast. I got my undergrad degree at Oberlin College, studying with Matthew Wright (a legendary Cleveland performer), which led me to start my career here in Cleveland. I got my MFA in Acting at Brown University a few years later, and I now live in NYC.
Can you tell us about how you got into performing arts, do you remember your first role either professional or amateur?
I’ve always loved performing, even as a child, so it was a no brainer to get into acting. I played in bands all throughout high school, so it was bouncing between playing gigs and doing shows. Eventually it became clear to me that I was happiest when I was in front of a few hundred people, so I decided to give it a shot. My first professional show was at Cleveland Public Theater in a production of Iphigenia 2.0. I played a man whose face was blown off, so I wore a mask the whole show and had no lines. We all gotta start somewhere, baby!
Andrew in a 7th Grade production of Bye Bye Birdie
What piece of advice would you give to young aspiring performers?
Be kind. It’s a tough industry, and it’s really easy to get frustrated with your circumstances, with other actors or directors, with casting, or with yourself. It’s hard to be kind in those moments, but it pays off in dividends — for awhile you can coast on talent, but you will eventually hit a level where everyone is at least as talented as you. From that point on, people will want to work with the people who are fun to work with. Be kind!
Is this your first time performing at Playhouse Square?
Yes, unless you count rehearsing for our school residencies with Great Lakes Theater…I must’ve done the balcony scene for R&J a few hundred times here. But I’ve performed all over Cleveland - Dobama Theatre, Cleveland Public Theater, Talespinner Theater, the Beck Center for the Performing Arts…
Andrew performing Glass Menagerie with Great Lakes Education Department
Why should audiences come and see Stereophonic?
If you’re the kind of person interested in how the sausage gets made, this show is for you. We listen to these albums, they change our life, but we never really understand what goes INTO making a great work of art. This is your opportunity to peek behind the curtain.