Posted by chicagomedia.org on August 10, 2008 at 14:59:03:
In 'Mall,' Chicago actor finds his outlet
Acclaimed for stage drama, he goes for laughs on MTV
Ally, the lead character in MTV's new musical "The American Mall," locks horns with her mom about attending a music conservatory or getting her accounting degree.
It's something that Chicago-born actor Rodney To, who plays one of Ally's closest friends in the film, can relate to on a personal level.
"I had everyone expecting me to be the doctor or the scientist. Even a lawyer is something they would maybe grasp," he says.
For the first few years he was at Marquette University he even studied chemistry before he eventually switched to a theater major. It was a decision his mom was less than thrilled about.
"For a long time, she would tell people that I'm a chemist who just happens to be acting at the moment," he says. "She wasn't necessarily against acting, it just wasn't something she was familiar with."
After graduating with a minor in chemistry, To moved back to Chicago.
Though he found steady work (eventually earning both his Screen Actors Guild and Actors Equity cards), he says it wasn't until he appeared in a 2004 production of "The Romance of Magno Rubio" at the Victory Gardens that his family began to accept his chosen profession.
"Even to this day, the defining night of my career was opening night of 'The Romance of Magno Rubio' at the Victory Gardens. My entire family was able to be there for opening night and experience what I do," he says. "That was really the moment they understood what I do, that I was serious about it, that I do it professionally and I get paid to do it."
Based on a story by Carlos Bulosan, a Filipino immigrant, the show was well-reviewed; the Sun-Times' Hedy Weiss praised To for seeming "to have leased his soul" as the title character. His work was further lauded when To was inducted into the Filipino/American Hall of Fame in Chicago.
In 2005 he moved to New York. He's one of the founding members of Mr. Miyagi's Theatre Company, an Asian-American ensemble.
While Chicago audiences are more used to seeing him take on dramatic roles, To hopes they can also appreciate him in a comedic role in "The American Mall."
"It's weird because in New York I was only seen as a comedic actor. In Chicago and now L.A., I am known as a dramatic actor," he says. "I certainly hope this shows me capable of doing something lighthearted. I'm proud of it."
The film was shot last February in a mall in Utah in the midst of several snowstorms.
"Everyone on the film was close, but Rodney was my saving grace," says Bresha Webb, who plays an up-and-coming fashion designer in the film. "I have a terrible fear of clowns, and one of the outfits they put me in was a kind of tutu with pom-poms and sprinkles that literally had me hyperventilating. I went to Rodney and he calmed me down."
To had his own wardrobe nightmare of sorts. For one of the final scenes in the film, To had to dance in a 15-pound costume.
"Nothing in my acting career could have prepared me for dancing around in a hot dog outfit," he says. "I have a whole different respect for those people that you see dancing around in costumes at theme parks. I feel their pain."
Some 40 members of To's extended family made it to a premiere last month at Sears headquarters in Hoffman Estates (the retail giant is featured in the film). And what does mom Jean think of the finished film?
"She soaked it all in and stood by proud, which was sweet," To says.
Less impressed was To's 2-year-old niece, Madeleine.
"When I was on screen during the movie, I pointed and said 'Hey, Madeleine, that's me! That's Uncle Rodney!' She said innocently, 'I don't care. I want to go home.' That was hilarious! It will keep me grounded. To her, I'm just 'Uncle Rodney,' and that's completely fine with me."
(Sun Times)