While he’s well known as the comical sword-brandishing Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride, Mandy Patinkin has much more to his credit. Among his many stage roles, he played Ché in the original Broadway cast of Evita, for which he won the Tony Award. His movie credits include a Golden Globe Award-winning turn in Yentl, and he snagged another Golden Globe for his role on the TV drama Chicago Hope. Patinkin is a highly acclaimed tenor, and he travels to venues around the world to perform, sometimes accompanied by the likes of opera great Nathan Gunn and his Evita co-star Patti Lupone.
Currently he can be seen on the Showtime series Homeland. Neapolitans can revel in Patinkin’s musical talents and animated storytelling live, in concert at Artis—Naples on February 3. We spoke with the lauded actor about his upcoming work and his sartorial preferences.
NI: What’s in store for Naples concertgoers at the upcoming “Dress Casual” show?
Patinkin: Lots of new material that we’ve been working on, like Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” We always include pieces by Sondheim and Randy Newman, and a guaranteed eclectic mix of anything and everything. We’re planning a new CD of material that we’ve been working on over the years, but have never recorded, so I am sure I’ll want to be oiling up many of those songs as well.
If you could pick just one gig for the rest of your life, would it be acting on stage, on the big or small screen, or performing in concert?
The live concert venue; there is nothing that beats being with a live audience, and the reservoir of material to choose from is endless.
Any little known talents you are willing to share?
I’m fearless in a true crisis. When disaster strikes, I get extremely calm, and I’m at the ready for anyone who needs me.
What’s next for you?
We’re birthing a new show with Taylor Mac, directed by Susan Stroman, called The Last Two People on Earth, An Apocalyptic Vaudeville. And I’ll be shooting the fourth season of Homeland for Showtime. And a film I did with Zach Braff called Wish I Was Here [to be released later this year].
Rumor has it you wear the same outfit every day and have about 40 pairs of black pants and black shirts. True?
I do wear it often. I like the simplicity of a uniform. I could care less about clothes, so I have multiples of the same thing. That said, I have found lately that I get tired of the black T-shirt and black cargo pants, which I love for the big pockets. My second favorites now are hiking pants from REI and either a white T-shirt, or a quick-drying, light-colored hiking shirt from REI, but almost always New Balance gym shoes. And like all good Jewish boys, clean underwear and a clean handkerchief every day.
- Showtime is 8 p.m. on February 3.
- Tickets cost $94.
- For more information, visit artisnaples.org.
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