Since meeting as roommates at Broadway Theatre Project ’08 and continuing their friendship as classmates and roommates at Elon, the music theatre alumni are together again, this time on the Broadway stage.
Michael Callahan ’13 and Sean Ronayne ’13[/caption]“Performing is work, and learning multiples roles of a show in two weeks is stressful, especially on this scale. It is an experience that is specific and special with anyone, but to share with a close friend is fate,” said Michael Callahan ’13 as he referred to being cast alongside his fellow Elon classmate, Sean Ronayne ’13, in Broadway’s Cinderella.
After graduating Elon, Callahan and Ronayne took different paths, but have ultimately ended up together again as they join the show’s ensemble. Callahan auditioned for the show five times since the creative team expressed interest around the time of his graduation, while Ronayne found his way through an invited dance call and a series of callbacks through his agency. Both were being seen for the National Tour of Cinderella when they got the call about the Broadway cast instead. Callahan will be playing the Raccoon/Driver, and will also understudy Jean-Michel. Ronayne will cover Prince Topher on top of his role in the ensemble.
Both Callahan and Ronayne will be making their Broadway debut in Cinderella, and are thankful for their training as they take on the challenges of the Broadway stage. Because the show has been running for 1 1/2 years and will not stop for new cast members to learn their tracks, both Callahan and Ronayne are learning the show in a dance studio with the Dance Captain on their own. “I will only run the show once with the cast before my first night on,” said Callahan.
Being only one year out of school, Ronayne explained that his training at Elon provided him with the skill set to compete in the business. Callahan also referred to his training at Elon, especially his understudy experience, being “priceless” in order to “watch and learn” efficiently and “blend in seamlessly to the rhythm of the show.”
As both prepare for their debut, they recognize the significance of having not only a colleague by their side, but a friend. “We’ve been through a lot together, so it is really nice to have him there to go through it all with,” Ronayne said. “It makes it all even more meaningful.” Callahan and Ronayne will join the cast of Cinderella onstage in mid-August.