In “Dralion,” Zabala is the lead vocalist in the large cast of singers and performers, all from around the world.
Born in Argentina, he has found a home as an openly gay man in the company. He himself came out at an early age and views himself fortunate in that aspect.
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“Everyone was accepting — I was very gay when I was a kid. It was very obvious,” he laughs.
He is now 37 and has spent the last 17 years in musicals/theater, including “Cats,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Chicago.”
He vividly recalls performing in Atlanta before with Cirque and says it is one of the cities that warms up the most to them.
Unlike previous Cirque shows that have run for months, this one plays both in downtown Atlanta and then Gwinnett, with both runs for four days only.
Fall’s ‘Spring Awakening’
Actor’s Express is opening its season with a dandy – the musical “Spring Awakening.” It’s directed by openly gay Freddie Ashley, the company’s artistic director. He had not seen the musical until it passed through the Fox Theatre on a national tour last year. He had, however, been listening to the soundtrack for a while.
“Spring Awakening” is a rock musical adapted from the noted play of 1891 by Frank Wedekind, controversial over its themes of rape, abortion, homosexuality and more. It takes place in Germany in the late-19th century where a group of teenagers are discovering sexuality, including two gay characters, Hanschen and Ernst.
It won eight 2007 Tony Awards including Best Musical and starred Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele of “Glee” fame on Broadway.
The celebrated music is by Duncan Sheik.
“This show has some of the some most exciting music written for the stage in years,” Ashley says. “They took a 100-year-old play and exploded it into something contemporary. It’s very much an exploration of human sexuality.”
While it’s a show known for its strong plot, characters and music, Ashley says there is also a message.
“It’s about the dangers of repressing sexuality – what happens when parents don’t talk to their kids,” he says.
In terms of scope, it’s one of the bigger shows Ashley has done – and his first rock musical since “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.”
Actor’s Express recently ended a fundraising campaign and reached about 80 percent of its goal, which has stabilized it, says Ashley.
Top photo: Christian Zabala has performed in several Cirque shows and is the lead voice of “Dralion.” (publicity photo)