Two actors in 'The Music Man' strike up an unlikely friendship
There may be trouble brewing in River City, but the flim-flams and foibles onstage have also led to a most unexpected friendship in the wings of "The Music Man" on Broadway.
Benjamin Pajak, 11, who plays the lisping Winthrop Paroo and Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays, who plays Mayor Shinn, have developed a special bond over a shared love of the theater, acting and antiques.
"We both like old things, we're both kind of antique collectors," said Pajak, who grew up in Westfield and has performed in theaters around the region.
Early on in the show's process, the actors exchanged tokens of their friendship. Pajak gifted Mays ("I Am My Own Wife," "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder") a medallion and stamped coin of the Charles W. Morgan, a whaling ship Mays says he has long loved. Mays gave Pajak a brass compass that he has had since he was a child.
Pajak also complimented his always-dapper co-star. "I like his style. He wears these coats, long dressy coats with ties and hats. I love that style."
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Mays agrees the pair share a special bond — "we've been having an awfully good time, the two of us, and it's been amazing."
Sharing inspiration
Pajak also credits Mays, a Tony Award nominee, with helping him hone his craft.
"Onstage, working with Jefferson, it's a pleasure to work with him. He goes from moment to moment with his choices, and he transforms into the mayor of River City. When you," he said, speaking to Mays, "go on stage, it's like I never met you because you're a completely different person. Yes, he wears a mustache. It's not the mustache that I don't recognize him. It's him being his character. And that has inspired me so much through this process, because I've never seen that through somebody. I've never seen somebody transform into another person. And that is amazing."
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"I think at bottom that's the joy of what we do, isn't it," Mays said. "It's to get out of ourselves and pretend to be someone we're not. It's something that we're very used to doing as children, but you and I as actors sort of extend that playfulness and that curiosity and that wonder about the world and our fellow human beings in it into adulthood. And that's exciting. Such a privilege."
Pajak jokes that he does become Winthrop in his own life, however — "I sometimes lisp in my speech, so yes, maybe I have become Wintrop."
Finding the joy
Mays shared equally effusive praise for the work of his young co-star, as well as the other kids in the production.
"It's been amazing working with you and your young colleagues," he said to Pajak, "because I've never worked with young people before. Really, come to think of it, I've always subscribed to that − you should probably cover your ears, Benjamin, when I say this — but that W.C. Fields adage of never get on stage with kids and dogs, but it's completely turned me around."
The leadership from the show's adult leads, Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, has been extraordinary, Mays said.
But the children brought back a spark that serves as an important reminder, he believes.
"I think the leadership from all the young people in our production has been equally important and revelatory to me. You set such a good example to the jaded adults in the company, through your work ethic, your discipline, your endless good humor, not to mention your talent, and I think, most importantly, your joy.
"You've reminded us all why we did this in the first place, what originally drew us to the theater. To be in your joyful presence every day has been one of the most extraordinary gifts of this whole experience for me and I know for so many others," Mays said.
Mays will end his run as Mayor Shinn on Oct. 23. He's stepping back into his acclaimed performance of "A Christmas Carol," where he portrays over 50 characters in the classic Charles Dickens holiday tale. Performances of "A Christmas Carol" on Broadway begin Nov. 8.
Mark Linn-Baker ("On the Twentieth Century," TV's "Perfect Strangers) will step into Mays' shoes starting Oct. 25.
"The Music Man" will conclude its Broadway run on Jan. 1, 2023. For tickets and more information, visit musicmanonbroadway.com or telecharge.com.
Ilana Keller is an award-winning journalist and lifelong New Jersey resident who loves Broadway and really bad puns. She highlights arts advocacy and education, theater fundraisers and more through her column, "Sightlines." Reach out on Twitter: @ilanakeller; ikeller@gannettnj.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: 'The Music Man' Jefferson Mays and Benjamin Pajak strike up friendship
