Milford's Will Young covets roles in 'Our Town,' 'Ernie'
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Actors often wait a lifetime for their dream role. Will Young of Milford is pinching himself to make sure he isn’t dreaming, as he has not one but two perfect roles, and not back to back, but at the same time.
Young accepted the role of Stage Manger in the Oakland County Community College (OCC) Orchard Ridge Campus production of the American classic “Our Town,” before recently landing the part of Detroit Tigers broadcasting legend Ernie Harwell in the upcoming play “Ernie” by Mitch Album. Young smiled broadly as he described himself as one busy guy.
“I’m in rehearsals for Ernie six days a week for six to eight hours, before heading out to join the cast of ‘Our Town,’ ” Young said. “It would be impossible without the support of the ‘Ernie’ director and stage manager who arrange my schedule so I can get to the two weeks of ‘Our Town’ rehearsals.”
Young, who grew up in the small Minnesota town of Cokato, saw “Our Town” when he was in seventh grade, said he coveted the role of the Stage Manager, thinking he would never have an opportunity to perform it. Years later he landed the role in a production at the Purple Rose Theater in Chelsea, then was offered that childhood dream role again by his long-time friend and director, Dennis North.
“Will is an Equity Actor and this is the first time OCC has brought a professional actor into a production,” North said. “When I decided to do ‘Our Town’ this season, I thought of Will because for me, Will owns that role. You won’t find a better Stage Manager.”
Young is a member of Actors’ Equity Association which is the labor union that represents more than 48,000 actors and stage managers in the United States.
The majority of the 23 member cast of “Our Town” is OCC students and former students who say they are watching and learning from both North, who is also a professional actor, and Young.
“Will raises the bar,” Lilli Bishop (cast as Mrs. Gibbs) said. “He makes you want to be the best you can be.”
Young said he feels a sense of responsibility to model a professional work ethic and support his fellow actors.
“The first time he came to rehearsal, he knew all his lines,” Garett Harris (cast as George) said. “My jaw dropped.”
“ ’Ernie’ is a labor of love by Mitch, and I am honored to be chosen for the role,” Young said. “I have most of the lines in both shows, so I am now speaking for about nine hours a day between the two show rehearsals. I’m not complaining, believe me.”
Young added that both projects offer him phenomenal roles and both have beautiful words and are incredible pieces.
North described “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder as a spiritual play with a journey of love and loss. Noting the play has no formal set and few props, so audience must bring their imaginations to the performance.
“Our Town” can be seen at the Smith Theater on the Oakland County Community College Orchard Ridge Campus at 8 p.m. on March 31 and April 1 and 3, and at 3 p.m. on April 3. Tickets are available by calling 248-522-3666 or at the box office. Tickets for adults are $8 and $5 for students and seniors.
“Ernie” opens at City Theatre on April 28.
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