DAVID Harris is on the road to super-stardom, but for the moment at least his fame is still a novelty.
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The Maitland-born musical theatre singer and actor was back in Newcastle yesterday to promote his upcoming show, Time is a Traveller, which charts his journey from high-school hopeful to bona fide Broadway material.
Best described as an autobiographical cabaret, Time is a Traveller will examine Harris’ beginnings at a Rutherford high school, years of not-so-glamorous auditions and performances, and eventually singing and acting in productions like The Boy from Oz, Miss Saigon, Wicked and Legally Blonde.
His career, which started by chance when he discovered he could sing in year 8, has provided ample fodder for his mum, who keeps a scrapbook of his press clippings.
Harris jokes that articles published about him online are thus far out of her reach, then asks seemingly at random: ‘‘Have you heard of Buzzfeed?’’
As lighting is set up to help capture him singing and dancing, Harris grins and grabs his phone to show off a Buzzfeed story that lists the five hottest men in musical theatre. His shirtless form is declared number one.
But he’s not just a pretty face.
With no time to warm up, Harris – fully-clothed – looks up towards the empty seats of the Playhouse and obligingly belts out two songs, poses for a variety of photos in the theatre and the lobby outside, and sits down for a short video interview.
In a few weeks Harris will jet off to New York to follow his dreams of playing a new role in an upcoming Broadway production, portray the Phantom, or be involved in Les Mis.
Fans keen to chart his progress can follow along on YouTube, where he’s started a channel to chronicle his experience moving to New York.
David Harris, Time is a Traveller, is at the Playhouse Theatre on August 16 with a 2pm matinee and a 7.30pm evening show.
Tickets 4929 1977.
