A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Stage

Life. It's a funny thing.

Sometimes the road of life has its unexpected detours. When the road finally leads to the driver's intended destination, the ride - with all its bumps and curves along the way - makes it that much sweeter.

Greg Maddox of Santa Rosa can remember being as young as five-years old and entertaining his family.

An Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, who served with the coalition forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2007 to 2008, Maddox has harbored a lifelong dream of putting his talents in front of a real audience.

It finally happened for the 30-year old Army Reservist on Friday, Feb. 8 at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park, Calif.

A cast member of Spreckels Theater Company's musical comedy "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" Maddox - in his stage debut as one of four Proteans - sang, danced and delighted audiences with his natural comic flair.

Greg Maddox answered a few questions about realizing his lifelong dream and his future on stage.

Q: Performing in front of a live audience was a long time coming. How did it feel?

Maddox: Like a dream. Literally. There was that moment right before I walked out for the first time I almost didn’t believe I was there. I was thinking, "I’m a soldier, not a goof ball."  I guess you can be both.

Q: Tell us about your lifelong dream of performing. How did entertaining for your family and friends or other things help to forge that dream.

Maddox: When I was a teenager I discovered I had a rare talent: I could do a flawless raptor impression. Not a weekend went by I didn’t hear at one party or another, “Do the Raptor Greg! Do the raptor.” I would get so into character I once chased a girl out a door and she was so terrified she slammed the door on me. Still haven’t heard the end of that.

Q: What inspired you as a youngster to be a "performer" ? Which television, screen or stage shows or performers inspired and influenced you?

Maddox: Jim Carrey for sure. I was really painfully shy as a kid and when the movie "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" came out - I consumed it. Whenever people would mention the movie I would come alive. I soon realized I could be whomever I wanted, in character. Adam Sandler, too, just for being as stupid and silly as possible and people loving it. 

Q: What surprised you about being a cast member in a main stage Broadway musical comedy?

Maddox: Besides the fact I was cast at all?  I’d never sang, danced or even been on stage before. I auditioned almost as a joke to myself. And then I got the email that I was cast in the show, I secretly thought ~ “Is Gene (the director) crazy?”  Well, guess it’s not a secret now.

Q: What are you doing now to prepare for more work on stage or screen?

Maddox: School, school and more school. Also I have a friend who did a bit part with Woody Harrelson who said, “Say 'yes' to everything.”  I’ve taken that to heart, especially considering my lack of experience. You give me a chance to make an ass of myself and I’m going to take it. Well, if people are laughing that is.

Q: What's next? Are you cast in or planning to audition for other stage productions?

Maddox: This whole thing has been so out of control for me that I haven’t thought of anything else but this show. I’m working on some film stuff with a super talented group of guys at Flat Quack Films. Other than that I’m just going to hit every audition I hear of from now until they tell me to stop.

Q: What advise would you give to other young adults who harbor a desire to perform on stage?

Maddox: I think the best thing I could say is "Don’t be afraid to hear 'no' -  or even fail."  I didn’t go after it for so long because I was afraid of “no.”
I finally realized I was just telling myself "no." Buzz Lightyear said it best: "Never give up, never surrender."

IF YOU GO:

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," continues through Feb. 17, 2013 at Spreckels Performing Arts Center, Codding Theater, 5409 Snyder Lane,  Rohnert Park, CA 94928.

For tickets or more information about the Spreckels Theatre Company production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" call the box office at 707-588-3400 or visit www.spreckelsonline.com