ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 18, 1996 TAG: 9604180022
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: TUNE IN TOMORROW
SOURCE: NANCY M. REICHARDT
This interview started with John Bolger's laughter in response to being asked, ``So, what is it with you and bagpipes?''
Bolger, who now plays bagpipe enthusiast and police captain Gabe McNamara on ``Another World,'' also played a piper in a memorable episode of ``NYPD Blue'' two years ago.
``I really don't think our producer realized I had played that role on `NYPD Blue,''' he notes. ``But when she realized it was me, she found it to be a quirky hook to hang on him.
``It's bizarre, though,'' he adds. ``I do love bagpipes. On Saturdays there are two radio programs that play Celtic music. My wife is an opera singer - she studied at Juilliard - and I drive her insane. I just turn the volume way up, and that is the way I torture my family every week. It usually drives them out the door.''
Bolger did most of his scenes with David Caruso, who left the series and has garnered quite a reputation for being difficult. Bolger has nothing but praise for the actor. Bolger notes, ``Professionally, in the two-and-a-half weeks I worked with him, he never said or did anything that didn't make the work better. My wife was near term when we were shooting. David was very instrumental in getting my schedule arranged so that I could get back for the birth of my son (Bolger also has two daughters). And David invited me to lunch on my last day of shooting.''
Bolger loves his work and he calls any day that he wakes up and gets to act ``a good day.'' Although his uncle was Ray Bolger, Bolger's career was far from a given. He is an artist and earned his bachelor's degree in fine arts from Bucknell University while attending on a football scholarship. Although he was the only fine-arts major on the team, he was never teased, just regarded as an oddity.
``I was a good-enough player that I don't think anyone would have chanced getting me angry,'' says the actor. Even in high school. I was blessed with a coach who was something of a Renaissance man. When I received a weekend scholarship to study art at St. John's University, this coach encouraged my attendance.''
The actor went from fine arts to architecture, attending architectural school in New York City before quitting in his third year and giving in to his secret passion - acting.
Since then his career has spanned daytime, prime-time and theater. He is a founding member of the Willow Cabin Theater Company. And he recently wrapped up a stint in an off-Broadway show.
Bolger expresses gratitude to producer Jill Farren Phelps of ``Another World'' for rearranging an entire shooting schedule to suit him.
``I worked until 7 p.m. on the day we shot the bachelor party,'' says Bolger. ``Then I made an 8 p.m. curtain until 10:10, and then it was back to the studio in Brooklyn until 2 a.m. Jill said I was crazy, but it's the best kind of exhaustion. One job makes you better for the other.''
As a matter of fact, Bolger credits his extensive theater work with making him a better daytime actor than he was when he played Phillip Spaulding on ``Guiding Light'' a decade ago.
He admits, ``I didn't have a clue when I first came on 'Guiding Light.' I'd come to work hoping rehearsal would help me find something. Now, I process things more quickly and do my homework better. I'm prepared before walking in. If that doesn't work, then the show can help me find other choices.
``I try to approach every day like it's my last. After all, the bottom line is that they can fire me every 13 weeks - and someday they will. It's inevitable. Jobs come and go. But I told Jill at the beginning, as long as they want me, I'll give you 155 percent of what I can do. I've waited too many tables and driven my share of limos, so I'll never take this work for granted.''
Send your questions about soap operas to Nancy M. Reichardt, ``Tune in Tomorrow,'' in care of The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. Questions cannot be answered personally, but those of general interest will be answered in future columns.
- United Feature Syndicate 960418 Tune STORY Tune in 4.18 TOPIC bagpipes are KEYWORDin tomoDESK AUTHOR:nancyreicha04/18/96 3
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