By Wilson Morales
From portraying President David Palmer on TV’s ‘24‘ and Jonas Blane on the series ‘The Unit,’ to his voice as the feature in the ubiquitous Allstate commercials, Dennis Haysbert has been a fixture on the small screen for years.
There’s also his film roles on ‘Major League,’ ‘Waiting To Exhale,’ and ‘Love and Basketball,’ to name a few.
Now, the San Mateo, California native is taking his skills to the Great White Way, performing with Eddie Izzard in David Mamet‘s Broadway play, ‘Race.’
The 54 year-old is replacing David Alan Grier as Henry Brown, one of two partners who think about defending a white man accused of sexual assaulting a black woman in the critically acclaimed work.
Black Voices caught with the veteran actor as he makes his debut on the Great White Way. Below are excerpts of the conversation.
You’ve been acting for a long time. What took you so long to get to Broadway?
Dennis Haysbert: Well, the right vehicle. I had started a family years ago and they’re finally getting old enough that they’re almost out of the house so there’s time to do Broadway. Otherwise it’s a bit of a luxury. Everyone knows that you don’t do Broadway for the money and so it was just a matter of finding the right vehicle at the right time and making it work. This is the time.
Now that you’re on Broadway how does it feel, and have you been getting used to the seven or eight shows a week?
DH: I’m getting used to it. I still have a few more weeks to go and I enjoy it. I enjoy it immensely. But I’ll tell you, I’ll never complain about being tired again.
For a character like this, where you play a lawyer, did you do any research for the character other than just the rehearsals?
DH: Well, the rehearsals are what you needed. It was a very intense three week period which is about half the time that you normally get for a Broadway production. So it was very intense. If you don’t have your character down by then I don’t think you’re going to get him. So that’s all the preparation I needed. I just have to make sure that I get my rest and get ready for that hour and half marathon because once it starts you know it doesn’t stop. There’s no take two.
What’s it been like working with this cast? Was that intense rehearsal enough to build a chemistry that shows onstage during the show?
DH: The chemistry is absolutely fantastic. Eddie [Izzard] and I are the new members of this cast. Richard Thomas and Afton C. Williamson have been with the show since day one and so they’re very helpful and very supportive in ushering the two of us into this glorious beast, as I call it. It’s a lot of fun.
How’s working with David Mamet?
DH: I worked with David for four years on ‘The Unit’. So, it’s good to be working with him again.
Speaking of ‘The Unit’, we’re you upset that it was canceled after four seasons?
DH: Yes. I wasn’t pleased. I think we had a great show. I think we still had a very viable audience. We were seen by a lot of people. Actually, our audience was a lot bigger than the Nielsen ratings would show. We were number one in the military and among their families. So it was a little disheartening to learn that we were not coming back.
You have had high visibility for years with ‘The Unit’, ’24’ and even the Allstate commercials. What sort of reaction do you get when people see on the street?
DH: I get a myriad of reactions, anything from ‘Major League’ to ‘The Unit’ to the Allstate commercials to some of the other films that I’ve done. ‘Far From Heaven’. I get it all which is great, especially in New York because people are so film and television literate here. I had someone mention ‘Suture’ to me. I was blown away. New Yorkers know their stuff. I like it.
Two of your films have had anniversaries this year. One is ‘Love and Basketball’ which is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary and the second one is ‘Waiting to Exhale’ which is celebrating it’s 15th. Terry MicMillan wrote a sequel to that one. Any thoughts on that?
DH: I think it’s a great idea. I don’t know whether I’m in it or not, whether my character is in it. We will see, but I think it’s a fantastic idea if it’s true.
If there was biopic that you could do who would you choose to play?
DH: A biopic. That’s a good question, a very, very good question. I was actually thinking about this other day. Booker T. Washington. He’s a very controversial character in history and people have painted him in a very, very differing light and it would be nice to shed some light on that story, do a somewhat definitive story on his life.
You’ve had a good TV run and always seem like you’re in demand. Was that always the case? I’m sure every actor struggles at some point but at this point in your career are things a little easier than it was for you when you started?
DH: Yes, they are, a little bit. It’s all a matter of choice now, what you chose to do. What can you do that can define who you are and where you’re going. I’m looking forward to that. I’m looking forward to maybe combining what David Palmer and Jonas Blane are or getting back to some romantic drama. I just want to do something provocative and scintillating and interesting, something that people can vibe to and want to see week in and week out. Or even want to come to a theater, sit down and relax and see.
