Rick Springfield, Las Vegas Sun, Jan. 26, 2001

Rocker Rick Springfield prepares for his latest leading role Lisa Ferguson Friday, Jan. 26, 2001 | 9:27 a.m. What do Michael Crawford, David Cassidy and Tommy Tune have in common with Rick Springfield? Besides the obvious, that is. All have been the star, at one time or another, since the 1995 opening of "EFX" at the MGM Grand, with Springfield's stint in the production show's spotlight scheduled to begin Tuesday. But Springfield shares other career similarities with each of the men. Like Crawford and Tune, he's no stranger to the theater, having performed on Broadway in 1999 in the musical "Smokey Joe's Cafe." But his career seems most aligned with that of Cassidy, the '70s TV star-turned-teen idol who, after his "EFX" turn from 1996-98, went on to star in the Rio's recently departed "At the Copa," as well as co-produce "The Rat Pack is Back" at the Sahara. Springfield started out as a singer-songwriter, then became a teen idol and pop star with such '80s hits as "Jessie's Girl," "Don't Talk to Strangers" and "I've Done Everything for You." He also tackled television (as Dr. Noah Drake on the soap opera "General Hospital" as well as countless roles on other programs) and movies (including 1984's "Hard to Hold"). But one thing the four performers have not shared is "EFX's" story. Each time a new lead has stepped in, the show's fantasy plot featuring dragons, wizards, magic and such has been tweaked to suit the star. The 51-year-old Springfield, taking a break from rehearsals as the EFX Master recently in the EFX Theatre, explains that Tune's version (which opened in 1999 and closed in December) "was all about song and dance and (had a) Broadway kind of feel," while Cassidy's featured "the little punk"-type character being swept up into the storyline. Crawford's version (which opened the show) "was the big extravaganza" coming off of his legendary role in "The Phantom of the Opera." "So I think people are expecting shots of me with a guitar," Springfield says. "They're expecting something along those lines within the confines of the show, so it's not like, 'Well, that's not Michael Crawford's show.' And it will live and die on its merits, of whether we did the right thing and went in the right direction or not." For its latest incarnation, "EFX" has become "EFX Alive," a nod to Australia-born Springfield's latest album, "The Greatest Hits ... Alive," which is being released Tuesday (the day the show opens). He also penned a pair of songs for the show -- the opener, "Rhythm of the Beat," and "Forever" for the Harry and Bess Houdini segment, a holdover which deals more with the romance between the legendary magician and his wife than in previous "EFX" plots. Springfield has also tossed one of his own hits, 1983's "Human Touch," into the musical mix. "I wanted to do one song," he explains. "I didn't want to do 'Jessie's Girl' or 'Don't Talk to Strangers,' though we do nod to some of those because Jerry (Mitchell), the director, said people who know that stuff are going to feel a bit cheated if you don't at least acknowledge it, and I totally agree with that." Springfield reminds, "You've got a lot of story to tell in a couple of minutes around all of the effects and everything, and we're trying to make it as connected to the Earth as possible." Changing things up One of the biggest production issues for him? "I wanted the character that I play to thread through the show ... rather than in some of the other (versions), the character would go on and off (the stage) at times and became almost an emcee. So I've tried to shoehorn myself into as many things as I can." When he's previously seen the show performed, Springfield says, "I've walked out going, 'God, great effects. Huh? What's it about?' And I think that was everybody. Everyone wanted to change it, to have it be simpler, to make more sense and I think we've had a real good shot at that." "We're putting a new energy into the show," says director Mitchell, who choreographed "The Full Monty" and, most recently, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" on Broadway. He was hand-picked by Richard Sturm, president and COO of MGM MIRAGE Entertainment and Sports, to oversee "EFX Alive." The show, Mitchell says, is "a lot more youthful, a lot more exciting, a lot more hip, to say the least." One of the things he likes about it, he says, "is every time a new star steps into it, you can take the star's talents and qualities and guide them into the show. "Rick's a great musician and he's a great singer and a songwriter, and so we wanted to create a new opening that speaks a little bit more about the show, but also about him and the way he sees the show." The changes to the show have been a long time coming. Springfield, who signed a yearlong contract to star in "EFX Alive," says he was approached to take over the lead just prior to Crawford's departure. At the time Springfield was starring in the syndicated action series "High Tide" (1994-97), playing a beach-based private detective. The show lasted three years. "And then they asked me again, and I'd just released 'Karma,' my last studio album, and I was getting ready to tour," he says. "And when they came back again the third time, I'd been on the road (touring) for 2 1/2 years and I was ready to take a break." The show, he figured, would provide him one. "Honestly," he says, "ever since I first saw this show I've been real interested in doing it because it offers a lot for somebody like me, because it's acting, it's singing ... It's performing onstage, which I love. There's stunts, which I love to do and have certainly done enough of them in movies and TV." His stint on Broadway clinched it, though. "The fact that it was Broadway was very intimidating and so that was very nerve-wracking for me the first night," he recalls. "But after the first show, it was, 'How can I do this better. This is great.' "And I love that whole backstage community of theater, which is the same here. Everybody's an actor, everybody's a dancer, everybody's a technician, and it's the same kind of people that are on Broadway, so it's a very similar vibe backstage and I love that." Meanwhile Springfield is warming up to the idea of being a Las Vegas headliner. "There's a slightly weird thing to it," he says. "There's a line in a movie I did, called 'Hard To Hold,' where I say to the band derogatorily, 'You guys keep playing like this and we'll be ready for Vegas in a year.' So there's that little issue. "I'm a very dedicated musician, but I'm also an actor and there's a lot I want to do. And I'm sure there will be people who think it's great (that he's in the show) and other people will be disappointed and say, 'What are you doing a Vegas show for?' "But for me, I'm always hungry for new things, and I can do this, I'm capable of this," he says. "And because I've written (music) for the show, it's not like I'm stepping in and doing something that I feel is a sell out. I'm committed to all of the parts. I wouldn't do anything I wasn't committed to, because then it would come off as seeming cheesy and lame." Family matters And as much as he is "committed" to "EFX Alive," Springfield contends his family -- including his two teenage sons -- will always come first in his life. He will commute from Las Vegas to the family's home in Los Angeles, as well as play select concert dates, during breaks from the show. "I went home for breakfast the other day. It was cool," he says. Springfield is also quick to set straight the story of a highly publicized domestic dispute last year between he and his wife, Barbara, which he says was spawned when "a third party" attempted to "break up an argument" between the couple. Springfield was arrested and later released on bail. No charges were filed. "My wife and I are both very volatile people, and we've always had a very emotional relationship and it's always involved pretty intense arguments," he says. "Anybody who's been in a relationship longer than six months knows that arguments are part of a relationship. "There was no physical abuse, but once the police are called, they have to go through that (procedure)." He blames the media for blowing the incident out of proportion, explaining that news vans and helicopters swarmed his house. "Mainly I was upset that it was so painful for my kids ... They lived through it and we've talked about it and they know what our family relationship is. After 21 years (in a relationship) I don't think you suddenly turn into a wife beater." In regard to charges not being filed, a statement on Springfield's official website, rickspringfield.com, said the couple was "happy with the news and are excited to move forward from here." The incident occurred after Springfield's life and career was profiled on an installment of VH1's "Behind the Music" series. He's also taped a biography special for the A&E cable network, set to air in about a month, he says. Given his recent run-in with the media, it's surprising that Springfield doesn't have a problem participating in such probing programs. "Entertainers are always talking about themselves," he says. "And to be honest, I like to talk about profound events that changed me." Such as starring in "EFX Alive." "There's a little apprehension about it," Springfield says. "There's always a fear that what you do will not be accepted as highly as you anticipated it being accepted, and that's just the way of everything every time you put something out there." archive