Dave Willetts: “Every role has a different memory and attachment to it”

Dave Willets celebrates his 25 years in Musical Theatre with the album ‘Once In A Lifetime – The 25th Anniversary Collection’ that will be released on the 28th May 2012 by Stage Door Records.

Dave Willetts was the first person in the world to have played the leading roles in the two most successful shows of recent times; LES MISERABLES (London and Australia) and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (London and Manchester) for which he won the Evening News award for best performance.

His other leading roles include such shows as: - CATS (Old Deuteronomy), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Jesus), RAGTIME (Father), SOMEONE LIKE YOU (Major Lee), SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (Adam Pontipee), SWEENEY TODD (Sweeney Todd), FOLLIES (Ben), SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (George), LET US FLY (Vladimir Vysotsky), SOUTH PACIFIC (Emile de Becque), SUNSET BOULEVARD (Max Von Mayerling - Olivier Award nominee), 42nd STREET (Julian Marsh), ASPECTS OF LOVE (Sir George Dillingham - What’s On Stage award nominee) and LEGALLY BLONDE (Professor Callaghan) amongst others.

Dave has many International concert appearances to his name, including the concert halls of Monterrey, Mexico City, Los Angeles, Rotterdam, Munich as well as the Royal Albert Hall, London. He also has a successful recording career, with solo albums and numerous show albums to his name.

Dave Willets tells us about his upcoming album and about his prolific career in Musical Theatre.

HOW DID IT COME UP THE IDEA OF CELEBRATING YOUR 25 YEARS IN SHOW BUSINESS WITH THIS ALBUM?
Having worked on a concept album of a new show called ´J´Accuse...! The Passions Of Emile Zola´, it was suggested by Stage Door Records that they would like to do a 25th Anniversary album. So after a year of working closely together; "Once In A Lifetime" became a reality.

WAS IT COMPLICATED FOR YOU TO CHOOSE THE SONGS THAT TAKE PART OF THE ALBUM? HOW WAS THE SELECTION PROCESS?
There was so much archive material to choose from but the first process is to assess the quality of the production standards. Once we had done that then it was a choice and making the decision that if we liked the songs, we hoped the general public would too.

THE ALBUM INCLUDES TWO DUETS, ONE WITH PETULA CLARK AND ONE WITH CAROL WOODS. WHY THEM? AND WHAT WOULD YOU HIGHLIGHT OF THEM?
Because;
1. They are fantastic performers!
2. I have worked with both artists over the years
3. They are both friends
4. They are both fantastic songs that we get to duet!

WHICH KIND OF MUSICAL THEATRE SONGS, OR WHICH COMPOSERS DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST SINGING?
Stephen Sondheim is probably the most difficult to sing, but very rewarding. Andrew Lloyd Webber is the master of the beautiful melody and soaring orchestrations.

WHICH ONES HAVE BEEN THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
LES MISERABLES, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, CATS etc. have all been memorable for different reasons but also for meeting some of the nicest people in the business i.e Sammy David Jr, Mickey Rooney, Cher etc.

IN THESE 25 YEARS YOU HAVE PLAYED ROLES AS JESUS IN JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR OR SWEENEY TODD. IS THERE ANY ROLE THAT HAS GOT A DEEPER ATTACHMENT WITH YOU?
Every role has a different memory and attachment to it, whether it is ths story, music, directors or actors. They all leave everlasting memories for me.

YOUR LAST ROLE IN A MUSICAL SHOW WAS PROFESSOR CALLAGHAN IN THE UK TOUR OF LEGALLY BLONDE… HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS BEING PART OF THIS PRODUCTION?
This show is a huge success, and it is always enjoyable to be involved in a success. But Callaghan is a fantastic role, a pivotal role, and is the flip side of the coin to the rest of the style of the show.

YOU WILL STAR AS JULIAN MARSH IN THE NEW UK TOUR PRODUCTION OF 42ND STREET. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU REPRISING THIS ROLE?
This is one the best musicals of all time. When it started life as a film, it was the "Granddaddy" of a decade of film musicals. It is what you would expect a Broadway musical to be.

COULD YOU COMMENT ON ANY OTHER PROJECT?
Concentrating on 42ND STREET which tours until December and the new album ´Once In A Lifetime´! For more information visit: www.davewilletts.com.