Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Education: B.F.A. in Acting from Five Towns College
Select Credits: "The Emperor's Club"; "Law and Order: Criminal Intent"; "The Sopranos"; Finian's Rainbow; Hair; White Widow the musical; The Winter's Tale Project
Why theater?: There's nothing in the world like watching something live. Actually being there together with an audience experiencing it all together. I discovered how magical and powerful that give and take between actor and audience member is when I was four year old and I saw my first live play.
Tell us about Alone (With Plenty of Help):'Tim Realbuto: Alone (With Plenty of Help)' is a lifetime in the making. I was supposed to do a two-person show at 54 Below with my good friend Annaliese van der Pol, who starred in a musical I co-wrote. We lived together for a few months and came up with the show. Unfortunately, she got a film role and left New York, leaving me alone with our concert date. The venue asked if I could do a solo show instead, and with the help of friends, I said I would take the chance. The show talks about my life growing up in the entertainment industry, the highs, the lows, relationships (both personal and professional). It's an evening filled with wonderful songs that will hopefully make you laugh, but it's also filled with poignancy and personal heartbreak. I've asked some famous friends of mine to play the people in my life, voices in my head, and sometimes (when things get too tough), they even play me! My special guest stars include Tony Award winner Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone), Derek Klena (Wicked) , Jason Gotay (Bring It On), Jenna Leigh Green ("Sabrina, the Teenage Witch"), Natascia Diaz (tick tick Boom), Laurissa Romain (South Pacific), Kimberly Faye Greenberg (Danny and Sylvia), and Drama Desk Award nominee Christina Bianco (Forbidden Broadway). It's also my big comeback to acting, so that should be fun for all (if I don't make a complete fool of myself... buy a ticket and find out!)
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I feel like there's not only one answer for this. I think there is a place for all types of theatre. Jukebox musicals and Chekhov should be able to live in harmony together. It's nice that there's something for everyone to enjoy. Art is so subjective. However, I like to be challenged as an audience member. If a play or musical evokes conversation and forces me to think about it for days after, then that's good theatre in my opinion. As for inspiration, good writing inspires me. People like Albee and LaBute, they inspire me. Good acting definitely inspires me. The list of actors I admire goes on and on. Meryl Streep, Marion Cottilard, Ryan Gosling, Liev Schreiber, Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Nicole Kidman, etc. etc. etc.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: I really want to do Adam in LaBute's The Shape of Things. I also have a desire to play Benjamin Braddock in Terry Johnson's great stage adaptation of The Graduate. One day, I'd like to tackle Leo Frank in Parade; Harold Hill in The Music Man; and the title roles in Jekyll and Hyde.
What’s your favorite showtune?: "Rose's Turn" (with anything from Into the Woods, Grey Gardens or Spring Awakening being a close second)
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Bernadette Peters
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Joaquin Phoenix because I'm always compared to him. It would be called "Him"
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Hedwig and the Angry Inch! Do NOT miss it! It will change you.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Trashy reality TV
What’s the most played song on your iPod?:"Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)" by P!nk
What’s up next?: After this concert, I'm taking a nap. Following that, my writing partner and I are getting our musical "Ghostlight" ready for the workshop stages and I also have a screenplay in pre-production.
For more on Tim and "Alone (With Plenty of Help", visit http://www.myfoxny.com/Clip/10338749/tim-realbuto, http://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/Tim-Realbutos-Show-at-54-Below-to-Feature-Leavel-Klena-and-More-Broadway-Vets-724-20140609, http://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/Christina-Bianco-and-Laurissa-Romain-Join-Tim-Realbuto-at-54-Below-724-20140618#.U8Kiz5RdWSo, http://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/Julie-DMoure-Justin-Anthony-Long-and-More-Join-Tim-Realbuto-in-ALONE-WITH-PLENTY-OF-HELP-at-54-Below-724-20140621