It has been over 20 years since Full House aired its last episode in May 1995, yet the legacy of the ABC family sit-com is still as strong as ever. Case in point: The upcoming premiere of Fuller House, a Netflix series, with John Stamos as an Executive Producer. But likely more appealing than that to many Downtown readers is Full House! The Musical! – subtitled “A Tanner Family Parody!” – currently playing at Theatre 80 (80 St. Marks Place) on Fridays and Saturdays.
Produced by National Lampoon, Full House! The Musical! stars famed blogger Perez Hilton as the Bob Saget-minded Danny Tanner. Brought to you by the same team behind Saved By The Bell homage Bayside! The Musical!, Full House! The Musical! has been straight out of the gate with positive press; the New York Times referred to it as “certainly something to treasure.” As with Bayside!, one need not have seen every episode of the series being parodied in order to get most of the jokes, although some familiarity is likely to help.
I had the opportunity to speak with Seth Blum, who plays the Dave Coulier-helmed Joey Gladstone, and co-writer/co-director Bob McSmith for Downtown. In turn, I received a great mix of both funny and honest answers. Surprisingly, as Bob informed, the creator of Full House is familiar with what’s happening at Theatre 80.
For more info on the show and cast, click on over to www.fullhousethemusical.com.
How did you find your way into this theater company with Bayside! The Musical!?
Seth Blum: I saw their ad in Backstage. At the time I was a public high school math teacher — and actor on the side — looking for an administrative position at various high schools in New York. I couldn’t find a job as a principal in real life but I could play one on the stage!
I missed the first audition for Bayside! and then luckily they called me for a second round of auditions. For the audition they asked us to sing a song that would make them laugh. I chose “Mean Green Mother” from the Little Shop Of Horrors movie, which I first sang at my bar mitzvah in 1988. I got a chuckle from Bob — a first of many to come.
If anything, what is your favorite thing about Full House?
S: The TV show? My favorite thing is that it always ended…with a hug. The musical? Two things: the music and our NYC audiences, who are loving the show. My favorite musical moment is when Uncle Jesse [played by John Duff] and Rebecca Donaldson [played by Bridget Russel] sing, “Have Mercy (On My Heart).”
Has anyone related to Full House commented on the show yet?
Bob McSmith: We’ve been lucky enough to have the creator of Full and Fuller House, Jeff Franklin, stop by who said that we knew way more about the show than him. Bob Saget has also expressed interest, but is worried about how we portray him. He shouldn’t be, the Olsen Twins have way more cause for concern.
What is the biggest challenge of playing Joey Gladstone?
S: Being funny by NOT being funny. And that rhymes with bunny! See, comedy is easy! Rhyming is hard.
Offstage, how often do you ask people to “cut…it…out?”
S: Your questions have become tiresome. Cut….it…out! KIDDING! See? It’s not easy NOT being funny. Other than this moment right now I can’t remember a single time I’ve said that phrase offstage. Sorry.
You’re an actor, a teacher, app-developer and a musician. When someone asks you what you do for a living, how do you usually respond?
S: I tell people I am an actor and app developer and taught high school math for 15 years. I also speak about the yachts I hope to sail on one day while building schools around the world. I don’t dig on small talk.
Are there plans to have a revolving guest star in Full House! The Musical! as you did with Bayside The Musical?
B: The door is always open to anyone who wants to stop by. Teddy and Gia, we’re looking at you.
How did National Lampoon wind up getting involved with this production?
B: Lampoon has always been really supportive of us. They were big fans of Bayside! and came on board as producers. They wanted to know what was next. Full House seemed like an obvious follow-up. In our wildest dreams, we never thought we’d be associated with the people that brought you Van Wilder 2: The Rise Of Taj.
For Bayside! The Musical! there was specialized merchandise, slap-bracelets if I recall correctly. Is there any of that for Full House The Musical?
B: We have Jesse & The Rippers World Tour Sweatshirts and t-shirts. All dates are at The Smash Club, because where the hell else are they going to play?
Are there any “surprises” for those in the front rows like there were for those seated close during Bayside The Musical?
B: Yes, but it’s a surprise.
Is there another show that you’d consider doing a parody of the way you have Full House and Saved By The Bell?
B: Tobly and I are hard at work on Seven! The Musical! Song titles include “What’s in the Box!?!” “Gwyneth Paltrow Starts A Magazine Called Goop!” and “Why the F*@k Are We Writing a Musical About This?”
When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?
B: Crying ourselves to sleep, mostly.
S: Playing guitar, enjoying nature, investing in biotech stocks, and dreaming of future yachts.
Finally, any last words for the kids?
S: You’re only human, and so is everyone else. Study the universe you live in, practice empathy towards others, and as The Beatles sang, “Please don’t belong.” Also, listen to The Beatles!
B: No.
-by Darren Paltrowitz
