Flame on
Bedford native Philip Cole White said even though Torch Song is set in the 1970s, the play and its main character, Arnold, still have something to say today.
White plays Arnold in Uptown Players production of the show, written by Harvey Fierstein, and Fieirstein himself approved White for the role of Arnold. (Photo courtesy of Uptown Players) Actor gets the ultimate stamp of approval for ‘Torch Song’ role RICH LOPEZ | Staff writerrich@dallasvoice.com Little did actor Philip Cole White know that Harvey Fierstein would see his taped audition for the role that first put Fierstein himself on the theatrical map.
White, based in Los Angeles, sent in a video audition for the lead role in Uptown Players’ season opener, Torch Song. He didn’t know that final approval would have to come from higher up. “Harvey requires that he gets final say on who plays Arnold,” the lead role in the iconic play, Uptown Co-Producer Craig Lynch explained. “We knew [White] was a perfect fit, but we had to send Philip’s audition tape to Harvey.” Pressure much?
Not for White, because he didn’t know about that tidbit until later in the audition process. “I didn’t know that at all until after I flew out for the in-person audition.
