Since making his stage debut at the age of 11 in “South Pacific,” Bonale Fambrini hasn’t been able to find his way off the stage.
The 23 year old can next be seen starring as Johnny Cade in the touring production of “The Outsiders” musical, which is coming to the Fox Theatre Nov. 25-29. “The Outsiders” is based on the novel from S.E. Hinton as well as Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 film adaptation, and follows the conflict between two rival gangs in 1960s Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The musical, with music and lyrics by Jonathan Clay, Zach Chance, and Justin Levine and a book by Adam Rapp and Levine, won Best Musical at last year’s Tony Awards. Fambrini’s character Johnny is the best friend of the main character, Ponyboy Curtis, and plays a pivotal role in the story.
Ahead of the performances at the Fox, Rough Draft Atlanta spoke with Fambrini about his journey to “The Outsiders.” This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Before we jump into “The Outsiders” tour, I’d love to hear a little bit about your career. When did you decide that you wanted to act or perform professionally?
Bonale Fambrini: It was definitely out of the blue for me. No one in my family is really into theater, even music, per se. I watched the Broadway show “The Phantom of the Opera” back when I was in the fourth grade, and after doing combat sports my entire life, I had gone to my family and said, “Hey, I want to sing a song.” [Laughs]
I ended up singing something for my fifth grade talent show. I guess it must have just stuck, because I heard good things about it, but also I really enjoyed it. I started doing community theater, smaller local stuff. And then I was very fortunate, and I booked a larger show at something called the Paper Mill Playhouse back when I was in sixth grade. From there, it progressed. I was doing shows in the city. I made my Broadway debut in eighth grade. From then, I’ve just been continuing it. I’ve been doing shows in the city. I filmed a movie out in Vancouver a couple of years back. I’ve been very fortunate in trying to continue with this and staying with it.
What was it about “The Phantom of the Opera” that you think really drew you in? I feel like that’s a pretty common one for young kids.
Fambrini: Especially me, being at such a young age, I think I definitely had a little difficulty understanding the story to a degree. But I think seeing that chandelier fall, and him rowing a boat in a sea of fog and candles – you know what I mean? There’s the ambience of it, and seeing everything visually, and the unbelievable music with it and everything – how can I not think this is super, super cool? I think that was, at the time, the biggest thing that drew me in.
Yeah, I guess it is kind of like a magic trick, seeing a lake onstage as a kid. It’s interesting, with your combat sports background – moving back into “The Outsiders,” do you think that background helped you with the physicality of this particular musical?
Fambrini: I think there are parts of me that definitely feel a little bit more secure. For example, the rumble scene, where everyone’s fighting and we’re mimicking getting punched, and we’re throwing punches – that kind of stuff definitely, subconsciously, might be helping me a bit. I can’t say that I’m actively thinking about techniques I had learned when I was younger. But the whole rehearsal process, the choreographers – the Kuperman brothers [Rick and Jeff] – were having us do breathing practice, which is stuff that is commonly done in a lot of different martial arts and fighting forms and everything. Going across the floor, we would do some type of pirouettes, but then there were some times where we were going across the floor and punching, and low blocking, that kind of stuff. I think that familiarity definitely did provide a sense of comfort for me.
How did the opportunity to be in “The Outsiders” come about?
Fambrini: I believe I started going for this, I want to say back in April. Actually, funny enough, I went for “The Outsiders” La Jolla production over eight years ago, and I made it into the finals for that. I was only, I think, 14, 15, years old at the time. Then I came back for this in April. I did three or four rounds of callbacks, made it to the finals, and then they actually said no, the first time. Then, a week later, they recontacted me saying, “Hey, can you come back in?” I came back in two weeks later, really gave it everything, and now I’m here.
Do you know what changed their mind? Was there ever any sort of conversation about that?
Fambrini: I don’t know why initially it was turned down. One thing I thought that was interesting is the second time I had gone in, once they had called me back into the room, I was under the impression it was going to be the exact same audition process, or finals process, as the last time. But it was just like, we’re seeing you again – sing the songs real quick. Sing it with Nolan [White], who is our Ponyboy. Sing with this guy, then boom, you’re done.
I was the first person, out of the people who were called back, to go. I was super, unbelievably nervous, and it was an audition that I was not proud of, to the point where I actually lingered behind even after they said I was good to go. I lingered and said, “Hey guys, I’m sorry, but any chance I can go again?” There’s no way I’m going to allow myself to put this much work and effort and training into it, and then that was the result.
I’ve talked to Danya [Taymor, the director] a little bit about it, and she was saying that one thing she really enjoyed was that drive and that hunger, and understanding [that] I can do better, you know? I think that was what really solidified that.
That also kind of relates to this group of boys in general – a drive and hunger. What was your relationship with “The Outsiders” before this? Had you seen the movie, or read the book?
Fambrini: I was initially introduced to “The Outsiders” back in seventh grade. It was a book that we had to read for my English class. I’ll be totally honest, I was not a big book kid growing up. It was more just like, okay – I’ll read this because I’m required to, and that’s about it. I do remember it was one of the few books that I read, where I was like, okay, wait – this is really cool! This is actually making me use my brain, and imagine, and get that feeling. Seeing it come across my table as an audition years later, I reread the book like, four more times. I’m learning more and more every time, and seeing the movie like, thousands of times, and studying this material that I have access to.
You’re playing Johnny. That obviously, with the risk of spoilers, a very pivotal role. You mentioned reading the book again, and watching the movie, but as far as the acting process, what sort of direction did you take as far as diving into this role and unpacking everything that happens?
Fambrini: I was super fortunate. You know, I had such amazing references. The book alone was like my Bible, and then also the movie was so interesting to take bits and pieces from. But also Sky’s [Latoka-Lynch] performance on Broadway, who originated the role … Watching that, it’s hard because I didn’t necessarily want to copy him, but I also feel like there was so much work there. It would be wrong to just not be inspired by that, you know what I mean? I really took bits and pieces from each source, and kept close what really resonated with me, and, not necessarily ditched what didn’t resonate with me, but just altered it in a way that I’m like, I see where this choice is coming from – how can I alter this choice to make it true to myself? I just had such great resources and such great people around me that I think naturally, without having to really go out of my way, I just felt this character start to grow and form something that was myself, but also Johnny, and also Sky, and also Ralph Macchio [from the movie], and the book, and everything. It’s something now that’s natural, and something I don’t really think about.
You mentioned you did your callback with Nolan. Was that the first time you guys had met? How has that relationship evolved, being on the road?
Fambrini: I actually met him on my first final callback. It was a big group and we sang together there. I sang with numerous Ponyboys at my first final callback. I sang with him and also did a scene with him … That was when I was told no. I came back again, and they had me sing again and do scenes again with him.
Now, it’s getting to this point – he’s so young and everything – it’s now evolved to, I see my younger self in him so much. Whenever I look at Nolan, not only are we getting so close as friends and everything, but part of me – and it ties to the message of “The Outsiders,” of chosen family – part of me is like, you’re like my little brother. I want to help you, and I want to be there for you, and I want to help guide you where I can. I feel like it’s evolved into such a genuine, nurturing relationship. He’s amazing. He’s great.
You auditioned and got the callback and all of that back in April. About how long was the rehearsal process, and then when did you ship off for the road?
Fambrini: We didn’t start rehearsing until the month of August. That was our full rehearsal. But a handful of us, the principals, had actually traveled to Tulsa before rehearsal. That’s where we had done a lot of promotional shooting. “The Outsiders” company had really set us up to help get to know one another. They were really big on allowing us to form this energy and this connection before we actually dove into the material. It set us up on such a strong footing, because rather than being like, these guys are my coworkers, and we need to do this job together, now I’m hanging out with these people and getting close with them. Now, let’s build off this energy that we’ve established.
That was around late June, I believe – no, late July, sorry. In late July, we traveled. We were there for only four days, but it felt like a week. Then we all went our separate ways. Everyone started getting ready to come to the city, and then we rehearsed for the entire month of August, and then we flew out September 5. So we’ve been pretty hands on.
What’s it been like for you? This is your first national tour. Is that correct?
Fambrini: It’s definitely tricky. I will say. I’m pacing around my hotel room right now, and I’m looking at my suitcase that is still yet to be unpacked, and probably will not be unpacked, just because we’re in cities for a week. It’s getting to the point now where it’s just tricky to be in one place for that short of time, and then just get up and go to another city. But it’s nice to know that everyone is dealing with the same thing. It’s not just me that’s really panicking, really trying to get into the groove of everything. I’m getting better and better with repacking and traveling and trying to stay healthy and everything. But I think knowing that other people are feeling the same way and going through the same thing has really been helping me a ton and helping me get comfortable when I can.
Do you have any things you do to try and stay calm, or stay in some semblance of a routine when there really is none?
Fambrini: Trying to stay in a routine is definitely the biggest thing. As soon as I get to the hotel, if I can’t unpack right then and there, I’ll at least get groceries, or at least explore my neighborhood and find out where can I get food? Where can I get a drink? Just familiarizing myself with the area that I’m going to be in, that’s definitely a really big help for me. But also there’s stuff in my room, like a pillow, or even a stuffed animal, whatever it may be – I know numerous people have different things. But it’s having some sort of sense of home in this place that isn’t home. That’s really a nice touch point that allows me to stay comfortable and grounded.