For the last several months, actors like Rachel Perlman and Erik Joshua Clack have been putting in the work. Auditions, exercise, vocal training, eating right, they’re all key steps to getting the ultimate actor pay off — landing a contract for a production.
In this case, landing three productions as part of the cast of Wonderland, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins at Tuacahn.
“People expect something magical when they come and they’re going to get it.”
~ Rachel Perlman
“We are so lucky to get to do what we do,” Clack said. “We call the time in between shows the ‘work’. Once we get here it’s time to put on a costume and play.” That’s not to say these actors and their fellow castmates aren’t working hard. Eight-hour rehearsal days can be a shock to the system for anyone who hasn’t been maintaining their voice and physical fitness during their down time. But Perlman said the atmosphere at Tuacahn and the caliber of the cast and creative teams make it all so enjoyable, even when the days are long.
“This is such a unique and special place,” Perlman said. “People expect something magical when they come and they’re going to get it.”
In addition to all the usual reasons to be excited about rehearsing in the shadow of the red mountains of Tuacahn, Perlman and Clack are happy for another reason. As a married couple it is always exciting to land a job together, especially when they get to revisit the musical that introduced them to each other: Mary Poppins.
Back in 2014 both Perlman and Clack were part of the ensemble cast of Mary Poppins at a theater in Little Rock, Arkansas. As “the shortest ensemble members” they were often paired up to dance together, partnering in “Step In Time” and “Let’s Go Fly A Kite.”
“That sort of sparked our relationship,” Perlman said. “We were friends at first, and we had so much in common. It all just worked out.”
“It’s a dream come true,” Clack said. “We’re thrilled to be able to keep on flying kites.”
Since that time they have been cast in a wide range of productions together, but when it came time to plan their wedding, they decided to go with a Mary Poppins theme to bring it all back to their roots.
They even have a pocket beagle named Mr. Banks.
“Doing this show again, it’s really full circle for us,” Perlman said.
Perlman has worked at Tuacahn for three seasons, but this will be the first time Clack will join her on stage. When they received word that they had both been cast they were shopping at Wal-Mart and couldn’t contain their excitement.
“We were literally dancing down the aisles,” Clack said.
“It was the happiest moment,” Perlman added.
Perlman is working as the associate choreographer and assistant dance captain and swing for Mary Poppins, and ensemble in Wonderland and Joseph.
Clack is the dance captain and understudy for Bert in Mary Poppins, swing in Wonderland and ensemble in Joseph. Arriving on the Tuacahn campus a few weeks ago only further solidified their gratitude at the opportunity to perform in such a spectacular space. Everything from the living accommodations to the costume designs and the overall spectacle these shows promise to be has Perlman and Clack feeling like they’ve fallen down a rabbit hole of their own, and their ‘Wonderland’ is everything they want it to be.
“It’s a dream come true,” Clack said. “We’re thrilled to be able to keep on flying kites.”
The Tuacahn summer Broadway season runs May 13 to Oct. 22. For show dates, ticket prices and more information log onto www.tuacahn.org or call the box office at 435-652-3300.