Scott Moreau plays the role of Johnny Cash in the touring production of “Million Dollar Quartet.” It’s a musical about famed 1956 recording session that featured Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis, and it’ll make a stop in Bangor on Sunday, Feb. 22 at the Cross Insurance Center, as part of the Broadway’s Best in Bangor series. Moreau is also a Litchfield native, a 1997 graduate of Winthrop High School, and frequently returns to his home state. We caught up with Moreau to talk about Maine, musicals and the Man in Black.
What shaped you as a young actor and musician growing up in Maine?
Well, I was definitely into music, and did four years of chorus and band. I did some community theater too, like “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Grease.” But the thing that really got me hooked was the Maine Summer Youth Music camps at UMaine, which I did all through high school. Spending two weeks being immersed in choir and band and musical theater definitely gave me the bug. I wanted to be surrounded by like minded people in an arts community.
How long have you been playing Johnny Cash in “Million Dollar Quartet”?
I’ve been a big fan of Johnny Cash for quite a while and have been playing his music for myself on my guitar for years. I’ve read a lot about him, long before I considered performing as him. When “Ring of Fire,” the Johnny Cash musical, came out on Broadway, it didn’t do too well there, but it did very well on tour and in regional theater. That’s where I came to play the character. Once “Million Dollar Quartet” went to Broadway I thought to myself, ‘Wow, I’d really love to do that.’ And sure enough, I was able to audition, and then when the tour started I first understudied, and then, last fall, took over as Johnny Cash full time.
Johnny Cash is such an icon. What draws you to him, and how do you play that character?
It’s definitely never an imitation, but at the same time I wouldn’t say that I put my stamp on it, exactly. I don’t want audiences to see Scott. I want them to see Johnny. Growing up, I listened to a lot of records with my parents, and I also grew up watching cartoons. So whether it was music or cartoons, I got very good at mimicking voices. If I get someone’s voice in my head, I can replicate it pretty well. And Cash, it helps that I’m also a huge fan, regardless. It’s daunting, because he’s such an iconic cultural figure, but with the show, it’s a snapshot of him at a certain time in his life — he’s 24, he’s just starting out.
What other role you’ve played are you most fond of our proud of?
I played John Dickinson in “1776,” and I love that show. I also got to play Johnny Guitar in “Johnny Guitar” and Orrin the dentist in “Little Shop of Horrors.” I’ve been on a couple TV shows. Musical theater has really turned out to be my thing.
Do you get home to Maine very often?
Actually, I come back a lot! My parents still live in Litchfield and have for 37 years. I have a lot of ties there. I spend a lot of time in Maine when I’m not on tour. But I’m on tour all the time.
