MNfusion: 'Leap Of Faith' Actor Matt Tatone Talks Following Your Heart

It's a cliché.

It's trite.

It manifests itself in several other over-used phrases such as "things always happen for a reason," and "trust your gut."

But, behind every trite cliché is a little bit of truth.

No matter what you choose to believe, almost everyone has experienced a moment where things just sort of fall into place.

There are several reasons that lead up to things working out the way we want them to – hard work, networking, right-place-right-time, coincidence, faith – but they all stem from our decisions. Ultimately, we decided one thing that led us down the path to where we are now.

And, no matter how much we debate pros and cons, often there is always a little leap of faith that goes into our choices.

New Century Theatre's latest production, "Leap Of Faith," looks at the idea of how certain choices can lead you to unexpected places, and how sometimes you just have to follow your heart.

Local actor Matt Tatone, who plays "Reverend" Jonas Nightengale, took some time to speak on what it's like to perform, and take a, "Leap Of Faith."

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So, Matt, after doing several straight plays, what made you want to turn to musical theater?

Tatone: I've been singing my whole life and my very first taste of theater was in a musical – shout out to 4th grade summer acting camp's production of "Castaways!" So, I'd say I was very excited to return to musical theater. Most musical theater actors I know are multi-talented and love many facets of theater, whether it's in a musical, play, dance or improvised. I just love performing, in all of its types.

That's great that you get to return then! I'm sure broadening your performing portfolio only adds to your ability to take on new characters. So, in this production there is a gospel choir and the Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir has come in to be a part of the show. What has it been like to work with them?

Tatone: They've been wonderful and a great addition to the show. Our cast is extremely talented but it's relatively small, so having the choir there really gives the show the extra punch it needs. Plus, if we can get more people interested in our work by collaborating with other artists, I'm all for it.

And vice-versa for the choice I'm sure! I bet it adds an amazing element to the performance, but, tell me, what challenges does it present to have to accommodate for such a large group?

Tatone: Logistically, it presents some different challenges, but if you listen to the music I think there's really no other way it should be done. We're talking gospel music; so it's big, it's bold, it's energetic! This show demands power vocals, and that is definitely one thing our production is very successful in creating. New Century Theater is small and we take up the whole stage when we are all out there, but the smaller setting really lends itself well to the "tent-revival" feel in which the show is set.

I can imagine it created a very powerful feeling when you have such a bold sound in a small space. What is your favorite song in the show? Favorite scene?

Tatone: There is a great song in the show called "Are You On The Bus?," which is a metaphor for loyalty of the different families featured in the show. It's sung by a trio of women (Jill Iverson, Sonya Nolen-Moon and Brianna Graham) and holy crap these ladies got pipes! Later the song turns into a duel between Jonas and Isaiah, a true believer set on exposing the reverend's fraud. So, there's a lot of moving parts and the song really sizzles. Also, I really enjoy all of the tent-revival scenes. Who knew faith healing would be so fun?!

Sounds like a great number! So, in the show, your character of the Reverend comes to the town to use religion to essentially con people. He meets a sheriff who has a young son. It is through the sheriff's relationship with her son that the Reverend decides to change his ways. Why do you think the playwright chose to have the love of a mother and son be the catalyst to the change in your character?

Tatone: There's so much of this show that parallels the Christian stories of the Bible. Jesus is sent from heaven to save the sins of mankind much like the character Jake is sent to save Jonas from his past and his sins. Also, from a plot standpoint, it makes sense because Jonas sees the love that Jake and his mother share and it's something he's always wanted but never had. Jonas sees himself in Jake; Jake represents Jonas before he had given up hope and strayed off his path towards goodness.

It sounds as though your character gets to experience a very emotional change. Tell me, when was a time that you had to take a "leap of faith" in your life?

Tatone: I'm not a religious or spiritual person but still I can really relate to this idea. I think it's really important to always have faith in yourself, and that sometimes you have to follow your heart and the details will take care of themselves. An example was from two years ago, I was the understudy for Nathan Detroit in "Guys and Dolls" at Artistry in Bloomington. Granted, I knew I'd be in the lead role a month ahead of time, but still we had not had a single rehearsal with me as that part until the day of the show. It was the most nervous I've ever been on stage, but everything went perfectly! It was an out-of-body experience for me.

What does taking a "leap of faith" mean to you?

Tatone: To me it means diving in head first on whatever it is. Don't think, just do! I really enjoy doing improv comedy and to me that whole art form is one big leap of faith.

I've never heard improv compared to taking a leap of faith before, but I think that is dead on. It's very much just joining in and trying whatever, even if you fail. So, what is the message you'd like to audience to leave the show with?

Tatone: I'd love it if people left the show feeling a sense of empathy for Jonas. If you take a short, [quick] view of him, he seems like a terrible person who preys on people when they are at their lowest, and he does. But I believe people are more than just their good or evil deeds. People are complex and no one is truly good or evil. People like Jonas exist in all facets of life, but no one wakes up one day without empathy and says "I'm going to con these good people out of their money." These things happen incrementally. Jonas is just like all of us who have struggled to stay on the path towards good, and, like many of us, he sacrificed his sense of morality little-by-little to take care of himself and his family. Next thing he knew, he's in this fraudulent life too deep to get out. But you can get out if you decide to make not the easy choice but the right choice!

"Leap Of Faith" opens Friday, April 29. It will play through May 22 at the New Century Theatre. Tickets cost $25 - $30. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit Hennepin Theatre Trust online.