You have joined the audience. |
Charles Holt is on the stage. |
Moderator: |
Charles will be on stage today at 6:00pm (Pacific). |
Moderator: |
Welcome to the Online Chat with Charles Holt, currently a cast member of the Broadway Production of The Lion King, but he has a LOT of additional projects in the works that I’m sure he’ll love sharing with you. Welcome Charles. |
Charles Holt: |
Hi, Andrew. It is great to be here. Thank you. |
Sher: |
You are quite a multi talented man. What came first....music or acting? |
Charles Holt: |
Well,.... that is a hard one to call. I guess the music came first. I started singing in the 10th grade in the church choir. |
Charles Holt: |
I went to college to play football and never really sang in an organized group until well after I graduated. I started an acting class in Atlanta which after that began singing and pursuing the entertainment career. |
Iron Sushi: |
When did it first occur to you: "Hey, I have talent! I can/want to make it on broadway?" |
Charles Holt: |
I was really inspired by the music in Smokey Joe’s Cafe. I went a bought the CD and learned the most difficult song in the show, "I Who Have Nothing" and vowed that I would make to New York to at the very least audition for the show just so I could |
Charles Holt: |
sing that song. I ended up being cast in the show. |
Sher: |
What part do you play in the Lion King? (wish I could get down to NY someday to take in a Broadway play!) |
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Charles Holt: |
I play a lot of different roles. I am a blade of grass as well as a vicious Hyena, Banzai. I hope you get the opportunity to come and share in one the most spectacular experiences that anybody could have in live theatre. |
Philip Gordon: |
Hi Charles! |
Iron Sushi: |
Where do you see the show (Lion King) going? I mean, will it be a long runner like Cats, or will it run it’s course? |
Charles Holt: |
Hey, Philip how are you? I am planning another trip to Utah this season. |
Charles Holt: |
Lion King should run at least another 10 years on Broadway. We are about to celebrate our 6th in November. |
Iron Sushi: |
What do you like to do during the "off season"? |
Charles Holt: |
To tell the truth I really don’t have an off season. We have 8 shows a week and I am also doing commercials, voice-overs, I just finished my first major motion picture and a guest starring role on Law & Order:Criminal Intent. I try and stay busy. |
Iron Sushi: |
If not broadway, what would you see yourself doing now? |
Charles Holt: |
Well, I am really forward to my next film and my next tv role. While here in LA I am also meeting with music execs to collaborate on my upcoming album. I want to do it all. |
Iron Sushi: |
With all the turmoil going on (especially after 9/11) did it make you nervous/wary of performing onstage after that? |
Charles Holt: |
You know 9/11 was a very important time for a lot of us living in New York, especially performers. I like many came to New York to fulfill dreams and work on a Broadway stage. So, realizing the magnitude of what happened, for me the event made me even more assured of WHY I was in New York and the journey getting there. |
Sher: |
What is the major motion picture that we can watch to see you in? |
Charles Holt: |
It is called ‘Anne B. Real’. It is inspired by the the Diary of Anne Frank. It is an awesome film. It will be released by Universal Home Video/DVD in November. Watch it, see it, buy it. |
Sher: |
What projects are looming on the horizon for you? |
Charles Holt: |
I will be in my third season of touring my one-man show, Black Boy, based on the autobiographical classic by Richard Wright-also author of Native Son. I am working on another one-man project due to finished by the end of 2004. The tour of Black Boy will be coming to Los Angeles in February 2004. I would love for you to come to the performance. I am also looking forward to completing my album. |
Sher: |
What would be your "dream project"? |
Charles Holt: |
That is a hard one. In film I would like to work with Dean Devlin on a project similar to that of ‘Silence of the Lambs’. I would love to play a role like Anthony Hopkins played. In TV I would like to play a detective in a drama series. I am going to travel the world singing. |
Sher: |
How did you come to know Devlin and Co? :) |
Charles Holt: |
I met Dean Devlin and Andrew Mouser at Dean’s wedding July 4th. I had the honor of singing at the wedding. |
Sher: |
Do tell us about your performance at Dean and Lisa’s wedding. I wish I could have been there! |
Charles Holt: |
Well, members of the cast of The Lion King were invited to open the ceremonies. It was magnificent! |
Sher: |
So, what do you think of Arnie for Gov’ner? :) |
Charles Holt: |
I will leave that one alone. Politics are not my forte. |
Moderator: |
That wraps up this chat with Charles Holt. Thank you Charles for filling us in and we’ll look forward to seeing you in some of your upcomnig projects! |
Iron Sushi: |
Thanks Charles! |
Charles Holt: |
It has been my pleasure, Andrew. Thank you again for having me as your guest. |
Sher: |
Thank you Charles! |
Charles Holt: |
You are the best Iron Sushi. Thank you for sharing your time to chat with me. |
Andrew: |
As usual, the chat transcript will be posted on the Electric BBS and Centropoholics.com |
Charles Holt: |
Sher, you are wonderful. Thank you for all of your questions and please make it to New York to see the Lion King and please keep in touch. |
The PalacePresents event "Chat with Charles Holt" is over. |
Thank you for attending. |