Q: You graduated as an Opera Singer. How did you decide to work in Musical Theatre?

Ethan: "While I was studing in New York and Vienna, I made a lot of other music things too, from classical concerts to musical theatre. Even when I was a child I performed in musicals. So when I got the chance to join a musical production, I was very interested, even if I had a time when I wanted to be a "real" Opera singer. The "musical-boom" started in the 80's. By the way, musicals are perfect for my voice. Especially plays like "Phantom" and "Les Mis" need "Baritonetenors", that means a voice like a man, that sounds deep and male, but can go very high as well. So it can sound exciting. That's because of popular music; it sounds modern and more exciting for young ears, better than "beautysinging". And on the other hand I love to play "en suite".

Q: But how can you motivite yourself after playing the same role over 200 times??? Donīt you get careless after a while???

Ethan: "You are learning, thatīs a good thing, to make the people happy each and every night. The real problem is to avoid the routine of becoming boring. Thatīs the dangerous point. Anyway itīs great when it goes by itself without losing the creative feeling. With the Phantom, a role that I played more times than any other, is always a walk on a tightrope for the body, the voice and the acting, so even if you sang "Music of the Night" more than 700 times, you can do it poorly, if you arenīt concentrated. You have to take care that those 1000 people who came to the theatre get to see the best of you. When Iīm doing the leading role, the people who waited a half year for very expensive tickets, want to see the best and thatīs their right. Thatīs my duty to the show and to the audience to do my best. If I canīt do that, I should get into another business."

Q: With the Phantom and The Beast, you had in Michael Crawford and Terrence Mann two very popular role creators. Were you affected by their performances ?

Ethan: "I never saw Terrence Mann as the Beast, but I saw Michael Crawford as the Phantom. Harold Prince wanted me to see him, so I saw it on Broadway 4 times. But we never wanted to copy his performance, it was about seeing the wishes of the director."

Q: Why did you decide, after doing the role of Lucheni in Elisabeth, to do the Phantom again ?

Ethan: "There were many reasons. I knew if I would do Lucheni any longer, it would hurt my voice. It wasnīt that bad, but the time had come to give up that role. Anyway it was the best time to leave the show because it was clear, that I would never get any better known in Elisabeth. Uwe and Pia had all the media around them, because they played the roles they where perfect for. But Lucheni was just a part of the machine. It was a good role for an actor but not as glamorus as der Tod that made Uwe so famous."

Q: "Does the town or the country matter to take a role ?

Ethan: "The quality and the level are the most important things. That does really matter. But I try to stay never in germany or england for to long, because theyīll forget you in that buisines very fast."

Q: And donīt you want to perform on Broadway, since you come from New York ?

Ethan: "It would be interesting and fun, to finally perform fat home. My family is there and I have a lot of friends there. That would be great, but I donīt feel that I have to live in America. When there is a possibility, sure, but I already built a life on this side of the Atlantic."

Q: Do you have in such perfect produced shows like those by ALW or Disney, the possibility to say: "I wonīt do that !" ?

Ethan: "Thatīs a thing of the director and the actor. But I never had been in a situation, where I had to say:" I canīt, or, I wonīt do that!" Of course itīs because of who you are working with. I would never tell Harold Prince or Harry Kupfer, that I would know it better. Everybody who made a career, made it because they have a special sense for it, they are talented and intelligent. As for me Iīm alway interested in what the director has to say."

Q: A lot of musical performers are now working in the entertainment business. For example, Michael Ball, John Barrowman and Andreas Bieber (German Musical star: Elisabeth, Grease, Joseph). Are you also interested in that?

Ethan: "There are some people who are good for that, but Iīm no entertainer. Iīm not Peter Alexander (German/Austrian Showmaster, Actor, Entertainer). But a role in a speech theatre would be interesting. Anyway deep inside me Iīm a singer. A singer who likes to act."

Q: Also with your solo-CD "With you" you sing musical songs. Why didnīt you made a modern, pop-CD ?

Ethan: "I wanted it like that. Songs I always loved or I wanted to sing. A mix of musical and pop is most times a little bit strange. The singer wants to reach several customers but that canīt work. But I donīt say that I wouldn't make it. If a big Record Company would ask me I think I would say: "Great, letīs start it right now" But I would have to take care about my art."

Q: What are your plans ???

Ethan: "I donīt know what I will do after "Die Schöne und das Biest". If there is an opportunity, I would like to sing in Operas again. By the way Iīm planning to do a concert with classical songs in fall 96 in Vienna."