SRO PRODUCTIONS III
 

Mickey Ray

 

Full given name: Michael A. Pfleger I chose Mickey Ray as my professional stage name back in 1968. It was also my Equity name for years. I also use that name in my artwork and writing.

Where you were born: Brooklyn, NY Our family left Brooklyn and moved Long Island when I was six years old. I was raised in Lake Ronkonkoma and Ronkonkoma, NY.

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius 2/10/46

First Broadway show you ever saw? Oliver. I went with our high school Thespian Troup 2094, around 1963. I tried to get to get Georgia Brown’s (Nancy) autograph, and went upstairs to her dressing room. I knocked, she answered and I was so tongue-tied, I could barely stammer out that I wanted her autograph. She said she couldn’t come out at that time. I went back down and tried to get Bruce Prochnik’s autograph (Oliver) while he was rehearsing his chase scene onstage, but I was chase off by a stage crew person.

When did you first get involved in theatre? I was always a ham, singing on the streets of Sheepshead Bay when I was four and five years old. I had to repeat 7th grade as the principal kept bringing me around to different schools to sing, and I got too carried away with myself and didn’t do my homework. When I got to high school, ninth grade, I joined the National Thespian Society at our school and began doing play after play. I toured in dinner theatre productions, professionally, throughout the Midwest, from 1969 to 1986.

When did you first become involved with SRO? I’d performed in “Company” and “The Pajama Game” with SRO some years back. I knew only a few of the actors in “Little Women”, including Scott Fisher, our director when we began to rehearse; I have to say that I became very impressed with the vocal talents in this production!

If you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be? - Two By Two with Danny Kaye - Oliver with Georgia Brown - The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd with Anthony Newley and Cyril Ritchard - How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying – Robert Morse - The Lion King

Some favorite modern musicals: Little Women, Songs for A New World, Sunday in the Park with George, Death Takes a Holiday, In the Heights, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Next to Normal, Shrek: the Musical

Some favorite classic musicals: Guys and Dolls, Mame, Funny Girl, The Sound of Music, Favorite showtune(s) of all time: “Being Alive” (Company), “What Kind of Fool Am I” (Stop the World – I Want to Get Off), “Who Can I Turn To?” (The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd)

First stage kiss: It’s been so long, I really can’t remember. Most of my roles have been character roles and I don’t remember any of them having to kiss anybody! As the Emcee in “Cabaret” my “Two Ladies” kiss me on the cheek. Does that count?

Something you're REALLY bad at: Remembering names!

Last book you read: Kathy Reichs’ “Spider Bones”.

Must see TV shows: “Bones”, “Big Brother”, “Faceoff”, “Judge Judy”, “Law and Order”, and the various “CSI” series; the Miami one being the exception and lately the new series “Perception” and “Elementary”. There are others, but enough said.

Last good movie you saw? "Beasts of the Southern Wild"

Some films you consider classics: Singing in the Rain, The African Queen, and The Wizard of Oz

Do you have Pre-show rituals or warm-ups? I have no pre-show ‘rituals’, however, I do a quick mental run through of my lines and, if I am in a musical, I will vocalize and prepare my vocal cords.

What song is the most played on your iPod? I don’t own one and wouldn’t want it if someone else bought it for me. Seems like those who have one have their heads down, staring at the screen and are on it 24/7 and the rest of the world is obscured from their notice.

Three things you can't live without: My sister, my closest friends, singing, cooking and my computer. (Editor's note: That's actually five things, Mickey.)

What are some of your dream roles? The Emcee in “Cabaret”, Dodge in “Buried Child”

If you could trade roles with someone in Little Women for one performance who would you pick? I’d have to have a sex change, be a lot younger and have a much better voice...if I did, then it would be Jess’ role as Jo.

What are some shows you'd love to see SRO to do? “The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd”. I played the role of Cocky many years ago, now I’m at the age where the character of Sir would be more suitable and totally fun!