Background from IconBazaar
FROM THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL PLAYBILL:
Rex Smith (Chauvelin) made his Broadway debut as Danny Zuko in the original production of Grease! He received the Theater World Award for his portrayal of Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance, and also starred in the show’s movie adaptation. Rex’s other Broadway credits include Spangler in The Human Comedy, The Baron in Tommy Tune’s Grand Hotel, and Billy Crocker in Lincoln Center’s national tour of Anything Goes. He also starred at the Kennedy Center as Tony in West Side Story, Billy Bigelow in Carousel, and Curly in Oklahoma! Most recently Rex starred as Joe Gillis in the Livent Canadian Production of Sunset Boulevard. On TV, Rex hosted the music show “Solid Gold,” starred as Jesse Mach in the ABC series “Street Hawk,” and starred in various TV movies including “Daredevil,” Danielle Steele’s “Once in a Lifetime,” and “Sooner or Later” (also the title of his platinum album featuring the hit “You Take My Breath Away”). Rex also starred as Darryl Crawford on the CBS Daytime series “As the World Turns.” Most recently, Rex has guest starred on the Prime Time series “Jag,” “Caroline in the City,” “The Sentinel,” “Baywatch,” and “Pacific Blue.” He is married to his wife/manager Courtney Schrage Smith and is the proud father of two daughters, Meagan and Madison.
My own random thoughts:
Sunset Blvd.:
Rex *is* Joe Gillis to me. Yes, he’s the only Joe I’ve seen, but he was fantastic in the role. Like I said before, he’s one of the few actors I’ve ever seen who I could absolutely not take my eyes off the entire time he was on stage. And that’s not even because I think he’s good looking (which I certainly do!!! :-) but just because he has incredible stage presence, and chemistry with everyone on stage. I never wanted to be anyone as much as I wanted to be Karen Fineman (who played Betty), or even Diahann Caroll (Norma)!!!
The Scarlet Pimpernel:
While I have a soft spot for Terrence Mann, the original Chauvelin, I never saw him in this role (or any other, for that matter, but that's another story! :-) so Rex's is the only interpretation of Chauvelin I'm familiar with. I have to say that I thought he was great in the role (although at this point I'm sure no one is surprised by that!!!). Read my more indepth review of the show on my NYC pages.
Pirates of Penzance:
Stacy brought this movie along on one of our recent theatre trips, and we killed ourselves laughing at it. My poor Rex. The movie was hilarious, but I don’t think it was supposed to be *quite* as funny as we found it, even if it is a comedy. But Rex and Kevin Kline are a hoot, and Rex is as adorable as ever. It was nice to see him in a total hero role - both Chauvelin and Joe Gillis aren’t exactly heroes.
Rex’s early career:
I have to admit that I had never heard of Rex before Sunset, so I wasn’t aware that he was a teen idol in his early years. :-) I still don’t know *much* about it, other than the cruel pictures certain so-called friends of mine keep inflicting on me. :-)