Interview on Dennis show in Australia 1998
Article that appeared in Australian TV magazine.
Pictures from TV Show called Midday.
Pictures from a chat show in Australia called Denise.
Michael sang Bui Doi on this show.
Transcript of interview with Denise.
Michael: Nice to see you.
Denise: Thank you for coming in.
Michael: No problem.
Denise: It's sort of an Irish show today because you were born in Ireland, but have moved on to so many bigger and better things.
Michael: Yes I was dragged up in Ireland, born 1966.
Denise: In Cork?
Michael: In Cork, yes. The fashionable side of Ireland as I like to call it.
Denise: (laughs)
Michael: Then moved to America to go to college when I was nineteen. Then eventually moved back to London and have settled my life in London really.
Denise: Was that singing college?
Michael: It was acting college. I did a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre Arts because I was teaching part time and thought, well I've got to have something behind me to make a living in this business. So if I am ever out of work I teach and that, but God has been good.
Denise: So when did this magnificent voice arrive? Did someone else pick it up or did you think, oh I might be able to sing here?
Michael: That's exactly how it happened. I never took it too seriously, never stressed out about it and thought, well you know if I am training to be an actor and if I can sing as well, what the hell if you're out of work in an acting job you can get a job singing and vice versa.
Denise: What's this summer school in America you survived? That's what it says in the research.
Michael: In my bio I suppose. (Laughs)
Denise: Yes!
Michael: Okoboji is one of the oldest Summer Stock Theatres in the US and it's just a 10 week gruelling programme, where you're rehearsing one show during the day, performing one in the night and then you have to take the set apart on the Sunday night and set up the new show. Then start the new show and start rehearsing the next show.
Denise: So you get to do absolutely everything?
Michael: Absolutely every aspect of theatre from crew, to sound, to actually acting and singing in the shows.
Denise: So how many shows would you do in that 10 week period?
Michael: In 10 weeks about 10 shows.
Denise: Ten shows! So that must have been fantastic though.
Michael: It's great grounding. Good for stamina especially when you're in big shows like Les Mis. where stamina is number one.
Denise: It certainly is.
Michael: It's required.
Denise: So with something like the summer school do you have to audition to get into that?
Michael: The actual college I went to Stephens College in America it's part of their system. I think it's been going for forty years now and a lot of great actresses have gone through. Sally Fields, Joan Crawford and that, have gone through the summer school and they just believe it's the best grounding you can get as well as learning the academics, but actually get out there, do it and do it when you have had four hours sleep and you are stressed out.
Denise: Back to the stamina again.
Michael: Exactly, back to the stamina.
Denise: Now did you work in America after that? Michael: Yes! They employed me back for the professional season for about 3 months before coming back to London.
Denise: And then what happened in London?
Michael: London was kind of interesting. I remember auditioning for 'Anything Goes' and 'Les Mis.' in the same day. Now you couldn't audition for more different shows. One minute it's required to have this wonderful lyrical voice singing "I know to well that I am," all this floaty stuff and the next minute I meant to be "Who is this man you know" really Javert and punching away at it. So it was a bit schizophrenic that day.
Denise: I would think nerve racking to do two auditions in one day. One in one day is enough.
Michael: I think I had a bout 15 minutes to change my audition outfit because I was wearing happy clothes for ' Anything Goes' and black for 'Les Mis.' So the pressure was on.
Denise: Now when did you get married, because your wife she is in the business isn't she?
Michael: I got married 8 years next week.
Denise: Ooh!
Michael: Yes!
Denise: My goodness me. Is that wood.
Michael: I've no idea, long! (Laughs)
Denise: (Laughs) She's not watching?
Michael: She's actually in London so I think I am saved.
Denise: I was gonna say, 'Did she travel with you?'
Michael: She normally does actually. When we got married and both decided I was either going to move to Los Angeles because she was working for Donald O'Connor's Theatre in LA. It was kind a who got the best job. We said she would move to London because Les Mis. Was happening and that.
Denise: It's got to be that in a relationship.
Michael: Yes it does. A lot of the time one person has to make the sacrifices and she has for a while, but I've supported her, in her work. She has done some writing and directing and that.
Denise: I think she might have to take a back seat for a while.
Michael: Yeah!
Denise: As things are going so well for you, because they especially brought you out here for Les Mis. didn't they?
Michael: Yes they did. Then again I don't think I could do what I do without her, because she does all that stuff I can't stand doing like…
Denise: (Laughs) Book work!
Michael: (Pulls a face) Book work!
Denise: So how long are you here for in Australia?
Michael: I am here for just another 3 weeks.
Denise: Then what happens? Michael: I go back to London and go into the recording studio for about a month before Christmas.
Denise: What will we get out of that, a cd?
Michael: Hopefully Yes!
Denise: Michael is staying to sing for us and wait for it because I heard it in rehearsal and it's just fantastic. Michael McCarthy, thank you very much.
Michael: Thank you!
Michael singing "I Have a Dream" to Christine Noble.
Article on TV documentary Michael performed the theme song for, involving Denise Drysdale.
Bubbly Denise Drysdale is calling for your support. The TV
presenter is heading to Mongolia on November 16th to help charity worker
Christine Noble, better known as Mama Tina, who helps feed and clothe kids in
third world countries. Denise will be make a documentary about Tina's work,
with Broadway star Michael McCarthy having already recorded the theme sound.
Pictures from a chat show in Australia called Midday presented by Kerri-Ann.
It was on, live, every weekday from noon to 1:30p. Michael actually appeared on this show a few times. Twice when Les Mis. was in Sidney and once when Les Mis. had moved on to Melbourne. He actually wasn't on until 1:15 when he arrived for the show from Melbourne and then his plane back was delayed.
Michael actually sang 'Stars', 'If I Would Ever Leave You' & 'If I Loved You'
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