Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Patrick Wilson has his eyes on his cell phone, standing alone in Carnegie Mellon University’s Purnell Center for the Arts and standing out in a bright red and white Winston Cup ski jacket. The Golden Globe, Tony and Emmy nominee looks up and greets a visitor, and there are traces in his smile of an array of characters, most recently a paranormal investigator in “The Conjuring” films, and stalwart Lou Solverson of TV’s “Fargo,” but not so far removed from his leading-man breakthrough more than a decade ago, in Broadway’s “The Full Monty.”
3 comments:
Patrick Wilson directing this years musical is doing a lot for the School of Drama. This show is getting a lot more publicity and as someone who is involved in student life outside of Purnell, there is a definite buzz about this show and Mr. Wilson than there has been for any other show since I have been here. I could go on about reaching out to the student population and getting non-drama students to more show, but that is a rant for a different time. I will keep talking about the Full Monty and Patrick Wilson. I know that when someone comes to see this show all their focus will be on the actors, but my concern is that people are associating this show more with Patrick Wilson than the students. I do not blame people for this, I have been doing the same thing. This is not to say that we shouldn’t have celebrity directors, because we totally should, it’s awesome, this is just to say lets make sure the attention stays on the students. Besides that, very cool article, I have never been more proud to be a CMU Drama student.
It is so crazy to me that this musical is getting so much press. Thank you to Patrick for bringing so much attention to the school. I think drew makes a good point though, are we talking about the students busting their butts to make this huge show great, or are we talking about Patrick Wilson coming back to direct it. I’ve never been involved in a production where a celebrity is involved, but I imagine it’s the same idea with revivals when they bring a big name on a show. Perhaps it’s good because people will still come and see the show, and the more people the better! But I guess I don’t want the actors and designers and production team to be left in the Wilson shadow, especially in an educational setting! None the less a ton of people are coming to this show and I’ve only heard good things from all of them, so perhaps this is a good thing.
The craziest thing for me had been walking down the hall and just casually greeting Patrick Wilson with a smile, wave, or if I am able to muster up words, hi. His presence at the School of Drama has been so amazing for various reasons. The attention brought onto the school has been really great for investors, supporters, and donators. Along with a publicity gain, having Patrick Wilson direct The Full Monty and having him roam the halls of Purnell, has heightened the students' spirits, hopes, and aspirations for their careers. It gives us hope and assurance that we can totally succeed in ways not many people can. It has definitely made me appreciate more where I go to school. Also, I believe Patrick Wilson did a great job in his Directing Debut. The Full Monty was a show full of fun, with your bits of drama, real life issues, and love. I completely agree with Drew in that I feel so proud to be a CMU School of Drama student and get to reap so many benefits.
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