Euan Morton revives his Shakespearean past

Now a resident of New York, he is becoming a regular in Washington. Two seasons ago he starred in Signature Theatre’s production of “Chess,” and continued in his singer persona in Ford Theatre’s production of “Parade” this past fall. Back in the Bard’s mode, he is making his Shakespeare Theatre Company debut as Launce in an imaginative production of “Two Gentleman of Verona,” Shakespeare’s earliest romantic comedy.

“Since I landed here in musical theater, it’s been a long time since I’ve done Shakespeare,” he said. “Launce is the traditional clown with his own little story inside the story. I love this role and have fun working in most of my scenes with the actor Oliver, a dog who played Sandy in ‘Annie’ for the past five years. He’s well trained to bark and howl on command. For the first few weeks of rehearsal, I was the only one allowed to talk with him. Now every time he’s supposed to come to me, he does.”

Director P.J. Paparelli looks for truth and honesty inside raw comedy. Among a number of twists he has added is a cappella singing by some of the characters. In a blending of high art and low comedy, one of the numbers featured is Beyonce’s hit “Single Ladies.” The set design is a blend of Elizabethan sensibility and modern style.

Morton’s Broadway appearances following “Taboo” include “Sondheim on Sondheim” and “Cyrano de Bergerac.” He played the title roles in Tony Kushner’s Off Broadway adaptation of “Brundibar” and “Caligula: An Ancient Glam Epic” at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and won a 2006 Obie Award for “Measure for Pleasure” at the Public Theater.

His Kennedy Center solo concert last October as part of the Barbara Cook Spotlight Series was a journey through the decades with music from the ’20s through the ’60s. Later this month he headlines “Days of Auld Lang Syne,” a concert at New York’s Morgan Museum Library honoring the birthday of Robert Burns.

Given the time and opportunity, Morton enjoys traveling around this country performing and giving master classes in acting and singing. When “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” closes in March, he will be on the road again. His first few stops, engagements in Savannah, Ga., and Birmingham, Ala., will be followed by a tour of the Southwest ending in Los Angeles before heading back to New York and more concerts.

“Right now I’m focused on playing Launce and look forward to our 10 a.m. show for schools,” he said. “When I was in school, you had to take your turn attending the theater with the rest of the public, but it’s a wonderful idea to present it to a younger audience to encourage them to return for more Shakespeare in the future. Like all actors I’m nervous before an opening and hope this reinvented version of ‘The Two Gentlemen of Verona’ will work … and that Oliver will not steal all my scenes.”