An interview with Ben Mckenzie

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/articles/2010/09/10/entertainment/doc4c8ac3137cc37003218732.txt

The Newcomer

In the gritty TV cop drama “Southland,” Ben McKenzie plays rookie patrolman Ben Sherman. He’s also the new kid on the block in The Glass Menagerie.

Sitting down between rehearsals on a recent weekday, McKenzie admits that taking on the part of The Gentleman Caller required a steep learning curve.

“It’s been a very compressed two-week rehearsal schedule,” says McKenzie, who will celebrate his 32nd birthday on opening night. “But everyone has been great and made me feel welcome.

“The thing that’s scary is that I haven’t been on stage in front of a live audience since 2002,” he adds, a hint of panic creeping into his voice. “I always intended to do more live theater than I have up to this point.”

By far the majority of McKenzie’s acting career has been devoted to television. In 2005 he won the Teen Choice Award for “Breakout Star” for his role as another new kid in town, Ryan Atwood on “The O.C.” Then came his recurring role on “Southland.”

McKenzie sees his role as The Gentleman Caller as fairly straightforward — at least compared to Tom. His character is a man who never lived up to his own expectations.

“He was the king in high school, but things haven’t turned out the way he thought they would,” he says. “He’s hit a rough patch and is working in a shoe factory, which is where he meets Tom. His newfound religion is the self-improvement teaching of Dale Carnegie. But deep down he’s filled with doubts. That’s why he keeps repeating these [self-help] aphorisms over and over.”

When asked how the introduction of Tom’s homosexuality affects his character, McKenzie describes it as a double-edged sword.

“There’s enough going on that the audience is going to be able to see it,” he says. “But you have to remember the play is set in 1938 and Jim is totally oblivious to it. All he sees is a poetic young guy with lots of potential who just isn’t focused. He thinks Tom is a dreamer. The one person he really wants to help is Laura. She’s his willing captive audience. But when he kisses her, he knows it’s a mistake and he wishes he could take it back.”

For McKenzie, who was born in Austin, Texas, and attended the University of Virginia, appearing on the Taper stage has special significance. When he was 12 (or 13, he’s not quite sure) he remembers being in the audience for Center Theatre Group’s presentation of his uncle Richard Schenkkan’s epic drama The Kentucky Cycle.”

“I stayed awake through the entire six hours!” he says proudly. “I thought it was amazing. This is going to be amazing too.”