Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 22, 1994 TAG: 9412230042
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
While Moon is a tad reticent about being called a heartthrob - ``I don't know about that part,'' he says modestly - he does feel a definite responsibility regarding his portrayal of Keemo.
``It's my firm belief that Asian or any ethnic people have always been looked at through other people's eyes, Moon stresses. Somehow they end up as an image instead of as humans. Basically, I want to make sure I play this role responsibly with people in mind. I want to play it in a human way as opposed to a stereotypical way, as far as a range of emotions and so forth. I want to show that Keemo is a human being as opposed to an image or a stereotype.''
Moon has proven just that with his performance so far. Since his debut last summer, the actor has held his own in a front burner story line that has put him head-to-head with the mega-talented Elizabeth Sung (who plays his on-screen mother Luan) and Peter Bergman (who plays his on-screen father Jack Abbott). Considering Moon's impressive background, it is really no surprise.
A graduate of Hunter College in New York, Moon studied Shakespeare for a summer in London before earning his Masters Degree in Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama in Connecticut.
``I've been very fortunate to study and learn from so many incredible people,'' says the actor. ``I've had great teachers all my life. I owe them so much.''
Moon's fine education has helped him land numerous theatrical roles in productions of ``Othello,'' ``Hamlet,'' ``The Memento'' and ``Richard III'' with Denzel Washington at Shakespeare in the Park, as well as ``Measure for Measure'' on Broadway. Meanwhile, his film credits include ``Cadillac Man,'' ``Family Business,'' ``Lethal Weapon III'' and ``The Joy Luck Club.''
Daytime, however, is a brand new experience for the actor, whose only previous taste of the medium were small roles on ``As the World Turns'' and ``Guiding Light.'' Yet, Moon insists it hasn't been much of an adjustment; except maybe for the pace.
``They work very quickly on soaps, says Moon, so that's probably the only thing I've had to get used to. But on films they work quickly, too. Not as fast as a soap, of course, but when you're on a (film) set there's high level pressure.''
Perhaps the hardest part of his gig on ``Y&R'' was portraying Keemo during his early weeks on the show, when the character was a rigid, bitter young man, who rarely cracked a smile. That depiction was an abrupt about-face from the real Philip Moon, who likes to laugh and joke around with his fellow actors behind the scenes at the Y&R studios.
Moon smiles when it is suggested that he certainly does not fit the stereotype of the serious Shakespearean actor. Then, he divulges a little secret:
``Actually, when you're playing Shakespeare, you have some of the biggest laughs. You goof around all during rehearsal. But then, about a week before opening, you get nervous and get really serious.''
- United Feature Syndicate
by CNB