An American in Paris is touring Australia, and handsome Sam Ward plays Henri, just one link in an extended love triangle.
Tell us about your role as Henri Baurel
Henri is French and the son of a rich textile manufacturer who wants him to take over the family business, but his real dream is to be a song-and-dance man. Having just come out of WWII, Henri’s a real dreamer and always looks for beauty in the world. He buddies up with Adam, who’s loosely based on George Gershwin, and they create a show together, and gets romantically involved with the French ballerina Lise. As well as Henri and Adam, Jerry, an American soldier, also falls for Lise, so it becomes a complicated love triangle!
What kind of research did you do in developing the character?
I looked at the history of the liberation of France and our director Hannah Ryan had some awesome research for us from day one, including photos, reference images and concept art from Christopher Weldon. I also watched movies from the period, including the original movie, but there’s a slight shift in our time setting, where it all takes place at the end of 1945. I also watched Casablanca which gives a good idea of the period, style and how people carried themselves. It’s a glimpse of what the world was like back then. We have these beautiful Gershwin songs, great dancing and wonderful colour, but I think the real mission is to portray real people, and the world as it was then – rather than a fluffy Gershwin jukebox show.
Sam Ward plays Henri Baurel in An American In Paris
You’ve also had roles in Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar and Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. Is there a dream role you’re yet to conquer?
I’d love to return to Les Mis and play Jean Valjean and I’d also like to play the Phantom of the Opera. My high school musical in Year Twelve was Sweeney Todd where I played the title role, and I’d love to return to that.
Tell us about when you played Whizzer in Falsettos
I didn’t know Falsettos all that well, but when I was in my final year at the Victorian College of the Arts, I wanted to work with Tyran Parke who happened to be directing it. That role was probably one of the biggest challenges I’ve had so far because I had to delve into that really dark world in the Eighties, when the AIDS epidemic was taking off. Before we started rehearsals, Don Windsor who played Marvin, and I performed at a charity event on World AIDS Day. We were asked to sing the closing duet song What Would I Do and before we went up to sing people came to the stage to talk about those they had lost. We both looked at each other feeling the weight of the show that we were about to do. I’ll never forget that. It was very moving.
“When I did Priscilla, I was the only straight guy in the cast!”
Have you ever had a big night out with your gay mates?
When I did Priscilla, I was the only straight guy in the cast – in fact that’s where I was introduced to RuPaul’s Drag Race! The production was on a cruise ship, and we toured the Mediterranean and Caribbean. It was quite an eye-opening experience as we had lots of fun and those costumes were just ridiculous. Combined with the travel and the amazing people I met, it was one of my favourite work experiences. The Norwegian cruise line has had Priscilla for the last seven years and we were known as the 7.0 cast!
Sam Ward (Henri), with Robbie Fairchild (Jerry) and Jonathan Hickey (Adam) in a scene from An American In Paris
No doubt you would have been propositioned a few times!
(Laughs) Oh yes, I guess you could say that. There’s been a few times over the years and it’s very flattering. That would especially happen when touring with the Ten Tenors, because it was like five gay and five straight. I came into the fold loving Drag Race and had done both Priscilla and Falsettos, so I kind of bridged the gap between the two groups!
Hmm … The Ten Tenors on tour sounds like the classic footy club trip. Was there an equivalent to the infamous Mad Mondays?
(Laughs) Probably at the end of the tour. The thing with that show is that it’s really hard work. In a normal musical you might sing up to twelve songs, but in the Ten Tenors we sang twenty-five and they’re all massive. We toured the US in a bus with twelve bunk beds, two living rooms, a kitchen and bathroom. So, we got to know each other very well and there were a lot of late nights. But my second contract was a residency at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert California. On our final night we went to a bar called The Nest which had a reputation for being a cougar bar! Some certain individuals didn’t make it back onto the bus!
“I came into The Ten Tenors loving Drag Race, so I kind of bridged the gap!”
If you were gay, who would be your celebrity hall pass?
I’ve been watching The Witcher, and I’ll say Henry Cavill. He’s at the peak of masculinity and a very beautiful man. I think the costume designers on that show certainly know what they’re doing! There’s a particular bath scene that the Internet went crazy over. And then of course he’s also Superman.
Sam Ward, with Robbie Fairchild and Jonathan Hickey in a scene from An American In Paris.
Who’s your music diva?
I’m into Seventies disco and was exposed to a lot of it when doing Priscilla. In fact, I don’t think I can listen to I Will Survive anymore! But I don’t think you can go past anyone as iconic as Cher. Believe is absolutely her best.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far?
There are people who I’ve aspired to while learning and during my career. One in both aspects would be Simon Gleeson. I met him in year twelve when I decided to do musical theatre and he was my first acting teacher. I also listened to Anthony Warlow a lot when I was learning to sing, and I try to emulate him.
“I performed at a charity event on World AIDS Day, and I’ll never forget that.”
What’s your best piece of advice?
Something I’ve embodied over the past few years is to not try and change yourself to fit in with what’s happening. Just be as good as you can be and if people want you, they’ll want you. I think that was my biggest takeaway from Covid because it was all about looking to the horizon for what was coming, and for so long there was nothing. I kind of worked ‘for myself’ for a while rather than trying to be right for things like upcoming shows.
Do you have a grooming tip?
I have a very basic skin care routine and use a beard oil on my moustache. I find it smells nice and keeps the sheen on it. I had my moustache during rehearsals, and they all liked it, so now it’s in the show! I don’t think any other Henri in the past has had a moustache, so that’s kind of cool.
Sam’s credits also include Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables and has toured with the Ten Tenors
There must be slips and spills with your type of performance. Have you had any memorable wardrobe malfunctions?
When I was doing 42nd Street I fully split my pants while tap dancing during We’re in The Money. They split when I had to pick something up and I was wearing bright orange briefs that day! That wasn’t the best decision, and I won’t be wearing them again. I now stick to black and navy blue!
On that note are you a briefs, fitted boxers or free-baller guy?
I’m a fitted boxer’s guy. They’re more comfortable, and I don’t really like the look of Y-fronts, especially orange ones!
Follow Sam on Instagram @sam.ward__
An American in Paris is playing at the Melbourne Arts Centre until 24 April before moving to Sydney, Perth and Adelaide
Myself and Sam Ward
