CHAPLIN'S Rob McClure Pays Homage to His NJ Roots

Rob McClure, who originated the role of Charlie Chaplin at La Jolla Playhouse, opens tonight, September 10th in CHAPLIN at the Barrymore Theatre. The talented actor's burgeoning career began with the Bergen County Players of Oradell, NJ. In addition to appearing in such BCP productions as Oliver, Gypsy and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, McClure even worked in the wings of the theater!

This year, BCP celebrates its 80th Anniversary with the production of The Music Man. Just moments before the curtain went up on Friday's opening night, 'Music Man' director Larry Landsman hopped on stage to share a heartfelt, congratulatory note he had just received from McClure. It is clear from his sentiments that the Broadway actor has not forgotten his roots:

Dear Larry and my BCP family,

I am wishing you all an amazing night as you open your landmark 80th season with what I'm sure will be an astounding production of The Music Man. BCP has always operated at the highest theatrical standards and I am so blessed to have my roots deeply planted there in such fertile ground. I open Chaplin on Broadway on Monday night, so I am right in the thick of it with you. Whether at the Little Firehouse, or at the Barrymore Theatre, we all do it for the same reason. The connection. The connection with an audience. The connection with each other as artists. The same connection I felt as I watched your productions with tears in my eyes as a teen. The same connection I felt onstage in front of your loyal audiences. The same connection I felt backstage at BCP while making life-long friends. I often think of you guys and send you nothing but love. All the best for a great production, a great season, and I can't wait to visit soon. The Legacy Lives On at the Bergen County Players. Be proud. I know I am.

Break a leg,

Rob McClure

Landsman told BWW, "I'll always remember my time spent with Rob. He's truly warm-hearted and extraordinarily talented. We're all thrilled for his success."

Most recently in New York, Rob received raves for leading the cast of Where's Charley? at Encores. A two-time Barrymore Award winner, Rob starred on Broadway as Princeton/Rod in the Tony Award winning musical Avenue Q. He made his Broadway debut in the 2002 Broadway revival of I’m Not Rappaport alongside Judd Hirsch and Ben Vereen. Other selected credits include Avenue Q (1st National Tour, Helen Hayes Nomination), Amadeus (Mozart,Walnut Street Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour, The MUNY), The Game’s Afoot (World-Premiere by Ken Ludwig, Cleveland Playhouse), The Producers (Carmen Ghia, Walnut Street Theatre), The Flea and the Professor (World-Premiere, Arden Theatre.) and Johnny Baseball (World-Premiere American Repertory Theater).

From the slums of London to the heights of Hollywood, CHAPLIN is the showbiz Broadway musical about the silent film legend the world couldn’t stop talking about -Charlie Chaplin. The brand new 22-person musical reveals the man behind the legend, the undeniable genius that forever changed the way America went to the movies.

CHAPLIN opens on Broadway on Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street). For tickets, visit Telecharge at www.telecharge.com or call 212-239-6200 or 800- 800-432-7250. For further information, please visit: chaplinbroadway.com/

The BCP's production of The Music Man runs through October 6th, 2012. Tickets are available online at www.bcplayers.org. For more information, click here!

Caryn Robbins is a features editor for BroadwayWorld, covering TV, flm and the best of Broadway theater.

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