By PAM HARBAUGH
One of my most satisfying hobbies, if you will, is following the rising stars of people I have known for a long time.
One such person is professional actor David McElwee, who, it was just announced, was one of a cast of 10 to receive a special Drama Desk Award for outstanding ensemble in last year’s revival of A. R. Gurney’s “The Wayside Motor Inn” which ran at the acclaimed Signature Theatre in New York City. In case you missed it, you can see a video of a scene in The New York Times “In Performance” web-broadcast by clicking here. You can see the deep vulnerability he brings to the stage, that emotional connectedness he has with his scene partner.
Mr. McElwee was also seen in three episodes of the 2013 season of “Boardwalk Empire.” He’s toured the country as a professional performer and was more than once cast as the young artist in “Red.”
Now living in Brooklyn, Mr. McElwee was raised in Brevard. He tagged along with his older brother, Patrick McElwee, to Junior Theater rehearsals where the acting bug bit him and went on to perform Tiny Tim in JTW’s annual production of “Scrooge.” From there, he went to Cocoa Village Playhouse and then to Eau Gallie High School to study with (now retired) drama teacher Sarah Munday.
This guy has quite the actor’s heart. In an interview I had with him while I was with FLORIDA TODAY, he told me that he made himself readily helpful and available at his agent’s office. That enthusiasm and good will got him noticed and helped accelerate his career. You see that heart in the video linked above…please be sure to watch it.
Congratulations, David McElwee. You’re a rare talent. A sweet and sensitive soul. You’ve got an entire county in your corner.
BTW: The Signature Theatre, which produced “The Wayside Motor Inn,” received the 2014 Regional Theatre Tony Award, the first time a New York City theater had received the award. For video of the acceptance speech, click here.
Oh…yes….then there are the Drama Desk 2015 Broadway nominees. These awards include Off-Broadway, hence, the biggest number of nominations went to the Off-Broadway musical “Hamilton” (13 nominations). That was followed by Broadway shows — “An American in Paris” (12 nominations), “Something Rotten!” (9 nominations) and “The Visit” (7 nominations.) For a complete list, click here.
