Ethan Daniel Levy of Plainsboro is determined to make theater his career. He has been on stage since Grover Middle School and as much as he’s tried, he cannot see himself pursuing a life outside the theater. His first audition was in Grover’s “The Wizard of Oz” when he landed the role of Professor Marvel and the Wizard. “Since then my skills have grown immensely because I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many phenomenal teachers and fellow actors,” he says. “Two of the most inspirational teachers I’ve had were my TV productions teacher in eighth grade, Richard Coppola, and my West Windsor-Plainsboro South drama teacher Roseann Bonora.”
Appearing in “Blood Brothers” at Kelsey Theater, he plays the role of Mickey Johnstone. Levy studied acting throughout middle school and took the opportunity to attend Mercer County Performing Arts School during high school in addition to taking classes at South. “I worked with outstanding teachers such as Wendy Graham Hugo, Peter DeMets, David Madore, Jeremy Robinson, Rachel Scaturo, Beverly Rigby, Cristina Bottega, and Janell Byrne,” says Levy. “When I began to do theater outside of school I started meeting even more people who have inspired me such as choreographer and my past co-worker, Joan C. Aniano.”
Levy, born in Brooklyn, moved to Plainsboro when he was six. He graduated from South, Class of 2009, and is working on a degree at Montclair University’s College of the Arts. Levy works with Ultrax Disc Jockeys as an emcee and party motivator for weddings, sweet 16s, corporate events, and bar and bat mitzvahs.
Although he did not go to many theatrical productions while growing up he does remember going to the circus when he was still living in Brooklyn. The first Broadway show he saw was the 1994 revival of “Grease.” The first production he saw at Kelsey was Cheng/Ferrera’s production of “Tommy.” “It is ironic because Vicky Czarnik was in it and she is playing Mrs. Johnstone (my mother) in ‘Blood Brothers.’”
Levy has been in Kelsey Theater shows including “Charlotte’s Web,” “Oklahoma,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat,” and “Sideways Stories from Wayside School.” Some of Levy’s favorite roles have been Danny Zuko in “Grease,” Walter Hollander in Woody Allen’s “Don’t Drink the Water,” and Prince Dauntless in “Once Upon a Mattress.” He performed at Six Flags Great Adventure in “Return of the Whippersnappers” and was a character performer at Walt Disney World Resort’s in the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.
Levy is excited about being cast as one of the Johnstone brothers in “Blood Brothers,” the longest running musical in London history based loosely on Alexandre Dumas’ novella, “The Corsican Brothers.” Set in Britain, the plot revolves around fraternal twins (Mickey and Eddie) who were separated at birth. One brother is raised in a family of wealth and privilege while the other is raised in an environment of lower-class poverty. Their different backgrounds take them to opposite ends of the social spectrum, one becoming well-educated and successful, and the other alternately unemployed and in prison. Despite their socioeconomic differences, they become acquainted, and a friendship develops between them. As they mature, however, they both fall in love with the same girl, causing a rift in their friendship and leading to a tragic end.
“This is probably one of the most challenging roles and shows I have encountered thus far in my acting career,” says Levy. “This show is not often done in the United States because it originated in London and not that many people are familiar with it. You either know it or you don’t, there isn’t an in between. It’s unfortunate because in my opinion it is one of the most beautiful shows ever written.”
“The show takes you from when the brothers are age seven all the way through their late teens and early 20s,” says Levy. “The most challenging part of this rehearsal process is tapping into my younger years of when I was a little kid.”
The rehearsal process includes long discussions with the director, Kat Ross Kline, about the character’s relationships . “She is also a method actress, which we both have in common because I myself am all about the method technique.”
“Willy Russell, the playwright, had said he wrote this show for people who don’t like musicals,” says Levy. “‘Blood Brothers’ has more of a story and meaning to it than any other musical I have ever seen.”
Levy’s goal continues to be “Do what I love, pursue my passion, and exceed my limits.”
Blood Brothers, the Musical, Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Friday, September 9, to Sunday, September 18. Musical about twin boys separated at birth presented by Pierrot Productions. For mature audiences. $18. 609-570-3333 or www.kelseytheater.net.
