Page 79 - Sharp Winter 2023

was great to have someone who shared the same work ethic, and the same despair and terror of going into a giant movie musical where we had to tap dance and sing every other second.
Speaking of tap dancing, Debbie Reynolds infamously tapped until her shoes filled with blood while rehearsing for Singin’ in the Rain. What are the physical trials of dancing so much for a film?
RR: I only coughed up blood. I don’t think there was ever any blood in my shoes, and I don’t think that should be a benchmark for anything, really.
The singing and dancing are terrifying, but that’s part of the reason to do it. You’re working with some of the most talented, incredible teachers, who were trying to help us sing and dance. It’s also very intimidating because they make it feel and look so easy. Being patient with ourselves was the key. I loved having Will there, because we were in the same boat and I didn’t feel alone.
WF: I have this to say about the tap dancing. They gave Ryan a section and me a section. I think Ryan’s section stayed the same length the whole time, and they kept taking steps away from mine as I was not able to do certain moves. They were like, “That’s better...No, you know what? What if we just don’t do that step.” I’m like, “Great!” So my section to tap became kind of a fun little hole, whereas Ryan is actually doing the, you know, articulate part of it.
RR: And I’m still paying for it.
This is a very original retelling of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Do you guys have particular interpretations of Scrooge or of the
story that you love?
RR: The Muppets for me. Michael Caine.
WF: There used to be a local theatre where I grew up. My mother was a docent at the theatre on week- ends, and they would do this annual showing of A Christmas Carol starting around Thanksgiving. It became somewhat of a family tradition to go and see A Christmas Carol there every year. The lead actor who played Scrooge became one of the dra- ma coaches. I always remarked that watching that play year after year in person, and despite the fact that you knew the story inside out, you still found yourself, even as a kid, shedding a tear at the end because he redeemed himself. I remember think- ing, “Gosh, that’s so funny, I know what’s coming, yet the performances’ sincerity is so powerful that I get emotional every time.”
Why do you think A Christmas Carol has such an enduring appeal with audiences?
RR: Redemption is somewhat evergreen as a con- cept. I believe people should have second chances. I think it’s incredibly important if you’re able to fold in our mistakes and use them as avenues to learn and grow, and also help others learn and grow. Mistakes are kind of our North Star.
WF: I also think we’re endlessly fascinated with ghosts. The ghost visiting us and not only being scary but showing us the wrongs of how we’ve lived our lives — that’s something that speaks to people for some reason, but I don’t know why.
You both have very different onscreen perso- nas. Ryan tends to play up an ironic and sardonic sense of humour, while Will often plays earnest,
almost childlike characters. How did you two strike a balance with your different comedic approaches?
RR: I don’t know that I would profess to have a process. It’s kind of by appointment. I’ll say this, though: it was interesting working with Will, be- cause I’d be hard-pressed to find a performer that has left more of an impression on me. I definitely found myself doing Will to Will, and I’d have to stop myself. I’d just get so enthusiastic and excited about the opportunity to work with him. That was really special for me.
I’ve been doing this for 32 years professionally, and I have nothing to complain about, but the “pinch me” moments are fewer and farther between. So to have one of those with Will was something very special to me, and something that I don’t think I’ll ever forget. My wife, Blake, is the same. Every time we left Will or we’d be hanging out with Will, she’d always be as stumped for words as I was.
WF: It’s funny because I always felt, “Oh my God, Ryan is so quick,” and I’m just trying to keep up with him. He just has this ability to think of three things at one time. I think that’s why we work so well together — because we were trying to keep up with each other but listening to each other at the same time.
RR: I think, anecdotally, it’s great because I don’t know what to expect working with Will.
Will is also a very sincere person, and that is lovely, because I know he can just flip this switch and have everybody bent over at a perfect right angle, laughing their guts out. The fact that you can have these in- credibly meaningful and thoughtful conversations with him, too, I think was ultimately the most special part.
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