Interview continuted

LS: What would you say is the important differences in terms to this touring production to previous productions?

Drue: They both have their creative good points.  When it first came out you turned around and saw the engines
racing, there was no commentary.  So the winner was...blah blah blah.  The one advantage with the film especially is
you get the rundown of what is happening.  You don't have to turn your head around the film does all the work.   
When I first sat down to look at the current production I thought how is it going to work, then I saw that what it was.  
They both have their creative moments.  With this tour you have to have something that can go to the masses, most
of them have never seen the show.  This set will fit into most stages.  You don't get the racing out in the audience, but
you get the essence and you go oh that is what it is all about.

LS: The show has changed; it always seems to change.

Drue: Yes, you want to put new songs in "Starlight" and the mixture of music.  Some things you can't change like
"Phantom" and "Les Misérables."  You can't put in different types of songs like a dance mix in those types of shows.  
Some shows have to change with the times; otherwise it becomes a dated piece of property.  You are not going to re-
release "Miss Saigon" with the second act starting with a dance mix.  "Starlight" is a pop-culture show and it has
always been.  That is the way I always thought of it and was told that is what it is.

The other shows basically rely on a very strong voice.  They are dark and need strong voices.  CATS can't change
much as it is based on T. S. Elliot’s poems.  Andrew (Andrew Lloyd Webber) likes to play with “Starlight,” since he can
change the music and lyrics.  He can't do that with his other shows.

When I watch the audience and they look like oh that is how it goes.  You don't see what we do from behind the
screen.  The audience, as one, put on their 3D goggles it is fun to watch.  It has its aspects that make the show fun; it
breaks the show down.

A lot of the people on that screen are actors on this stage.  They made sure the actors in the film where like the ones
they portray.  If someone is small, slight or tall they found actors to be the same size.   You will not have a skinny guy
playing an actor who is heavier.  

LS: Would you both consider going back to Germany to do this show?

Louanne: We would consider doing the show yes, but not in another country, primarily because of Adler our son.   
We have another year before he starts school.

Drue: That is why we have to settle someplace within the next 18 months.  So he can go to school.  Your focus
changes when you have a child.  Somewhere where we can work and Adler can go to school.  After 20 years it is too
much (oh no…laughter).  

LS: You are the longest performer (in Starlight) in the world!

Drue: Sucker in the world!  (laughter)

If you had said I would still be doing the show when I started in London, I would have said you are mad!  If they would
say you would still have those damn things on your feet, I would not have believed them.

Carolyn Weaver (CW): How do you keep the show fresh in your mind and what keeps you going?  You have done
the same character for so many years...longer than any actor?

Drue: I just enjoy doing it.  As simplistic as it sounds...I really enjoying doing it.  Very sad state…very sad man…don't
put that there, they’ll think he is a moron! (laughing)  I like being on stage it is always different.

CW: What are you planning on doing after “Starlight?” Is there any character or show you would like to do?

Drue: Yeah, I always fancied playing "Phantom."