Pittsburgh performance a thrill for Mars native
Sean McKnight, a native of Mars who now lives in New York, is fond of saying he’s a perfectionist, a trait that has helped his acting career flourish.
McKnight, 34, is traveling with the “Shrek the Musical” tour as a dance captain and a swing, which is someone who knows multiple ensemble roles.
The musical premiered last year and travels to Pittsburgh to open Tuesday at the Benedum Center, 719 Liberty Ave. It runs through March 20.
McKnight already has traveled the country with shows like “Annie Get Your Gun,” “42nd Street” and “The Producers” and is excited to perform for a hometown audience.
“You would think that because I have been traveling with national shows that I would perform in Pittsburgh more often,” McKnight said. “This will be the first time since 2000 that I will be performing on a Pittsburgh stage.”
When his agent called and said there was an opportunity to tour with “Shrek,” McKnight auditioned and was hired. Because of the magnitude of costumes, makeup and complex routines that make up the show, McKnight said the schedule is intense.
“This show is incredibly difficult backstage with costumes, sets and makeup,” McKnight said. “We travel with 11 trucks. That puts us in the upper echelon of shows.”
The musical operates on what McKnight called “one weekers,” where the group stays in one city for a week and then moves on.
McKnight, knowing all the male ensemble roles, spends a lot of his downtime rehearsing. He said that when he started with “Shrek” about two months ago he didn’t realize how often he would be on stage. Whenever an ensemble cast member is sick or on vacation, McKnight takes on the role.
“What is really exiting is that you never know when you are going to be on,” McKnight said. “It’s been nuts and there have only been two nights that I haven’t been on.”
When he first began, McKnight only had two weeks to learn the roles. The learning process is ongoing.
“Each night, I have a road map and by the end of the night, I have a new route,” McKnight said. “What’s great is that when you’re on stage, you learn it.”
McKnight has always had a love of musical theater and dance. When he was younger, his parents enrolled him in dance classes.
“There weren’t a lot of preschools in the area,” McKnight said. “So I grew up knowing dance.”
McKnight also was involved with television commercials, but when he started working with high school plays and the Pittsburgh CLO, his interest in musical theater grew.
After graduating from Mars High School, he attended the University of Michigan and obtained a bachelor’s in musical theater. He’s been touring nationally for more than 10 years building his career.
McKnight said one of the best things about “Shrek the Musical” is its family focus.
“There’s a good moral to this show that everyone can enjoy,” McKnight said.
The musical is based on the stories and characters from William Steig’s book “Shrek!” and the DreamWorks Animation film of the same name.
McKnight said he loves knowing that audiences leave happy.
“This show is really magical,” he said. “People are going to have fun watching the story unfold on stage.”
Tickets are available by calling 412-456-6666 or visiting www.pgharts.org.
