By Aaron Lazar

It was summertime and I was headed to work at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera! I had just finished my first year of graduate school at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and was looking forward to putting my musical theatre training to use on stage in a production of BYE, BYE BIRDIE starring Rue McClanahan. We opened in Cleveland actually and it was there that I first met Barrett Foa (my roommate that summer), and a bunch of young actor friends who have all gone on to great success (including Celia Keenan-Bolger and Daniel Reichard). We had a BLAST in Cleveland and later in Pittsburgh where following the run of BIRDIE, I played other featured roles in the ensemble of PCLO’s productions of WEST SIDE STORY and GRAND HOTEL. GRAND HOTEL was a touring production coming in starring Ed Lyndeck (Orig. Role of Judge Turpin in SWEENEY TODD). SWEENEY TODD was the first musical I ever saw that got me hooked on dreaming of a career in the theatre back in high school. So, to know I’d be sharing the stage with Ed was an incredible thrill! I also remember the thrill of getting my first paycheck and thinking, “I can’t believe I’m getting paid to have so much fun!” My employment at PCLO earned me my Equity card and I quickly joined the Union at the start of my second and final year at CCM.