PAUL KOHN S
La Difference
Gutman, a graduate of
Harrison High School in
Farmington Hills, knew act-
ing was for him when he
played the role of Danny in a
school production of Grease.
While a sophomore at .
Western, he won a $750
scholarship by placing first in
the Midwest segment of the
American College Theater
Festival Irene Ryan
Competition.
To win, Gutman did a
monologue from A
Midsummer Nights Dream and
a scene from Brighton Beach
Memoirs. He was required to
recite contrasting presentations.
The ever-patient under-
study went on to win the
1997 Theatre Guild
Scholarship, 1998 Beverly
Belson Music Theatre
Scholarship and the 1999
Western Michigan University
favorite because it was smartly writ-
Presidential Scholar Award.
ten," says Gutman. "There also are
Gutman, who helped new high
spoofs of Rent, Footloose, Jekyll and
school grads entering Western by per-
Hyde and Phantom of the Opera."
forming in freshman orientation
In his audition for Forbidden
shows, is the grandson of another type
Hollywood, Gutman sang the ballad
of singer, Cantor David Gutman of
"If I Loved You" from Carousel and
Temple Beit Kodesh in Livonia.
the lighter "I'm Calm" from A Funny
The younger Gutman recently
Thing Happened on the Way to the
picked up on religious performance
Forum. Afterward,
interests by teaching theater at
"Forbidden Broadway
he was asked to do
Temple Kol Ami, where his
Strikes Back" spoofi
impersonations.
family, including parents
"The Lion King" and
Possible audition
Howard and Karen Gutman
numbers are upper-
and younger brothers Rob and many other musicals. As
an understudy, costume
most in his mind as
Brian, are members. He also
changes present a challenge. he plans to attend
organized the temple's Purim
When he had to go on or tryouts non-stop in
play for the junior high stu-
another actor in Detroit,
New York.
dents.
Gutman relies on lots
If Gutman wins a
On the secular side, the
of pins and tape.
role without going
singer/actor has performed in
through an under-
musicals and serious dramas.
study assignment, one of the advan-
Professional summer stock perfor-
tages will be wearing costumes sized
mances include a revue at the Barn
for him. When he's had to go on for
Theatre in Augusta, Mich., and How
another
actor in Detroit, he's relied on
to Succeed in Business Without Really
lots
of
pins
and tape.
Meet
and
Trying, Broadway Cabaret
"I've really never had any serious
Me in St. Louis at the Timber Lake
costume problems, but my wig has
Playhouse in Illinois.
fallen off," he laughs.
"I've learned how to learn. shows
very quickly, and I've learned how to
stay on my toes, [figuratively], from
Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back
working on the Detroit revues," says
will be performed 1:30 and 7:30
Gutman. He was recommended for an
p.m. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.
understudy audition by a college class-
Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Fridays,
mate, an understudy for I Love You,
6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturdays
You're Perfect, Now Change, a show
and 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sundays
that ran at the Gem Theatre and was
through Feb. 13 at the Century
produced by the same company.
Theatre,
333 Madison, Detroit.
"When I saw Forbidden Broadway
$24.50-$34.50.
(313) 963-9800.
Strikes Back for the first time, I decid-
ed the Les Mis segment was my
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