Campus Feature
SHU Students, Faculty Members to
Play a Role in “Hockey—the Musical!”
By Arthur Gwoszdz, Student Writer
Mitch Albom’s original production of “Hockey—
The Musical!” had a distinct Siena Heights pres-
ence this summer. The show returned to Detroit’s
City Theatre inside Hockeytown Café, with SHU
musical theater students J.J. Hoss (above middle)
and Patrick Wallace joining the musical’s cast.
Also, SHU Assistant Professor of Theater Daniel
Walker was the lighting designer for the show.
The production, which premiered last summer
directed by Peter Albom, was very successful,
said Walker.
“After a successful run last summer, they are going
to remount it. This year, they put out the word
that they were casting, so I made a phone call
and said, ‘I think I have a couple of guys and a
couple of women, would you want to see them?’”
added Walker, who said the producers were
doing their last days of auditions in Detroit before
heading to New York. “So, the very next day, I
sent them Patrick and J.J. (The producers) said,
‘we will fit them in for 15 minutes and see them
since we know you,’ and they kept them for the
whole day. They ended up going to New York
and still hired our guys.”
The musical’s story is about when God decides
the world has too many sports, He decides to
wipe out one—hockey—to teach mankind a
lesson. The game gets one more chance—if five
pure-of-heart fans can plead their case—God
will reconsider.
“Basically, I got an email from (Walker) asking for
my resumé and headshot to send to a production
he is working on this summer,” Hoss said of the
audition process. “After about 20 minutes, I
received a call asking if I would come in the next
day. I left at about 8 a.m., got to Detroit and met
with everyone, including award-winning writer
and author Mitch Albom, and he described the
character in which he wanted me auditioning for.
“After about six hours of singing or reading from
the script, we were finally allowed to go home. I
was then cast as the role of Stanley/Terry, the lead
of the show, who is trying to find the pure hockey
souls and save his beloved sport,” Hoss said.
“Well, being my first real professional acting
contract, I’m a little nervous,” he said. “But I’m
hoping all the skills I have learned from the direc-
tors here at Siena have prepared me for what is
coming. I already know how busy it’s going to
make me, having eight-hour rehearsals six days
a week. But isn’t that why we do it? I am excited
to surround myself in what I hope to be my career
for the rest of my life.”
“‘Hockey’ will probably be seen by 10,000 people,
maybe more. So, it is wonderful for our students,”
Walker said.
“Hockey—The Musical!,” ran July 13-Aug. 6 in
Detroit before traveling to Traverse City, Grand
Rapids and East Lansing.
Wallace will play a series of small characters.
“I will be playing the song policeman, the referee,
the gameshow host and the coach,” Wallace said.
“I also have been asked to understudy one of the
larger roles named Stevie.”
Wallace said he is hoping the acting experience
he’s gained at Siena Heights will benefit him in a
professional setting.
Reflections Summer ’17 | 7