This July, Nathan Keoughan makes his company debut as Pink, the leading role in our U.S. premiere of Another Brick in the Wall. Read on to learn about his life growing up, his high school rock band, his role, and to get an inside look at the show!
Where are you from, and how did you come into musical theater and opera?
I'm from the beautiful Prince Edward Island in Canada. I was encouraged by an incredible music teacher and my friends in high school to start singing. Soon after, I formed a rock band, where I sang a few Beatles tunes, "Bohemian Rhapsody," Guns and Roses, and one original song. After my first public performance of "Hey Jude" in this band, I was asked to be a part of the local university's choir and then their vocal performance program. My first professional musical theatre gig came shortly after that in the Prince Edward Island hit Anne and Gilbert based on the Anne of Green Gables books, and it went on from there!
What makes Another Brick in the Wall an opera?
What makes ABITW an opera is Julien's incredible orchestral score. The orchestration is huge and rich while at times minimal and easy to grasp. Also, it's performed in an opera house by opera singers...
How does your role, Pink, compare to other operatic roles you’ve sung?
The role of Pink is unlike any role in the opera repertoire. It is a marathon sing and a true test of a singer's acting chops. The character is dark and vulnerable while also having moments of evil and mania. It is both challenging and rewarding to portray each colour of the character while maintaining the extreme vocal range.
Without giving too much away, what’s your favorite part of Another Brick in the Wall?
My favourite part of the opera to sing is "Don't Leave Me Now." It's a duet between the wife and Pink. Julien's music is incredibly beautiful, and I get to sing extremely high!