Gary Beach has played Lumiere, Tito, Thénardier, Rooster Hannigan and Ebenezer Scrooge. The role he is best known for, however, is Roger De Bris in the Broadway production of “The Producers.”
That role, which was fine-tuned for four years on Broadway, will now be featured in the movie set to be released at the end of the year.
“Working on ‘The Producers’ movie was the most fun I’ve ever had,” Beach said. “Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Roger Bart and I had four years of rehearsal. They couldn’t throw a curveball at us. It was fun taking it off stage and making it more real, even though it was Mel Brook’s reality.”
Beach said that he has appeared in other films, but that this was the first time in a lead role.
While Beach was filming “The Producers,” he was also starring in the Broadway version of “La Cage aux Folles,” which opened on Broadway last December. Beach received a Tony Awards nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical Nominee for “La Cage aux Folles.” This was his third nomination; prior to that he had won once and lost once. He wasn’t surprised that he didn’t win this time, but said, “I’m thrilled to be asked to the big tent.”
Even though the play won Best Revival of a Musical and Jerry Mitchell for Best Choreography, “La Cage aux Folles” is closing at the end of June due to declining box office revenues.
Beach grew up in Mount Vernon, attending and graduating from Groveton High School. He was the junior class president at Groveton. His mother, Ellen Beach, resides at the Gables at Mount Vernon, and Beach comes home frequently to see her.
Beach currently resides on the West Side and has a summer home on Fire Island.
“Everything is good,” he said.