Alex Pagels, who makes his Beautiful Soup debut as Captain of Industry Eric Didrickson in A DOLL'S LIFE, sat down with us for his interview! Check out Alex and his story below:

With hundreds of casting calls a week in this city, what attracted you to this project?

I am pretty new to New York.  I would have to say the rarity of the piece and the idea of doing both shows in rep.  I had to research the musical when I saw the posting because I was a little - Huh?  I thought the idea was hip and unique.  Tons of people know A Doll's House so why not throw in something less familiar to sweeten the deal.  It's good business!  

What do you hope audience members come away with after seeing the show? There is certainly a lot contemporary relevance in A Doll's Life examining the status quo of gender roles at home and in the workplace, both things Ibsen examined in his play to varying degrees.  From the political side, we continue to have discussions about working environments and corporate practices almost every day and every election year (which is fast approaching).  I would say the entire Occupy Wall Street movement is similar to a group of post-Doll's House Nora's...in a way.   The musical updates the "Doll House" issues with a little 20th century panache by stirring in a hint of Norwegian style Industrial Revolution while coupling with a heavy dose of humor (of course not quite reaching the "Occupy" movement - since it was first produced in the 80's and all...but maybe...)  

Aside from the sociopolitical - I really want our audiences to laugh a lot and have a great time and feel something.

Who or what inspired you to go into theatre? A group of friends and family sort of pushed me off a cliff I had been peeking over for some time.  There's a story there.

 

What's your dream role? Sweeney Todd...Brother or Father in Ragtime...George in Sunday...Stine in City of Angels...in no particular order...

Who is your hero and why?  This is tough.  Tons of people at different times.  I look up to a lot of people.  

What's the greatest experience you've had on stage? Setting myself on fire.  Yes.  I was working at an outdoor venue and they wove a burning man stunt into the show - because they could.  It was a volunteer crew for the stunt but the training was world class and one of many methods used for burning man stunts both on stage and film.  It was an exhilarating, awesome and unforgettable experience.   ...yes I got paid.

Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Alan Rickman.  Can I say that?  

 

What's your favorite musical/play and why? I don't know.  Lots!  The Scapin adaptation by Bill Irwin and Mark O'Donnell because I love outrageous physical comedy.  Passion by Sondheim is another for completely non-physical comedy related reasons.  It's an unspeakably intense and completely unique love story - without even mentioning the music.  

What's your favorite ice cream? Ben & Jerry's.  I am currently enjoying Red Velvet Cake.  The ice cream.  Did you know they just released a new limited batch flavor?  Yep.  Schweddy Balls. "Fair Trade vanilla ice cream with a hint of rum...loaded with fudge covered rum and milk chocolate malt balls."  Straight from their website.  Remember that SNL bit?       ...no I didn't get paid for that plug. Damn.

Nora or a Torvald? Voldranorta.  It's the old Tom Riddle bit...but a woman.