A man from Oxfordshire will perform at his home theatre this week, when The Osmonds – A New Musical plays at the New Theatre Oxford.
Actor Ryan Anderson, who is originally from Kidlington, stars in the musical based on the career of the Osmonds as Merrill Osmond.
The musical tells the story of the Osmonds family and their 50 year long career in the music industry.
READ MORE: Jay Osmond visits Oxford's Westgate with cast of Osmonds musical
The synopsis reads: ‘From their star residency on The Andy Williams Show, to the arrival of Donny and Marie, The Osmonds lived a remarkable life recording chart topping albums, selling out vast arena concerts and making record breaking TV shows - until one bad decision cost them everything.’
Mr Anderson is no stranger to the theatre scene and has previously starred in Bat Our of Hell on the West End and also performed in Grease which came to Oxford on tour.
He spoke with the Oxford Mail following a cast performance at the Westgate Centre, alongside real life Osmond brother Jay Osmond, to promote the show.
The cast of the show performed a number of Osmond’s hits to an excited crowd and Jay Osmond joined in on a number of tracks he helped make famous.
Mr Anderson described his first audition for the musical as a “bit ropey” but the production team felt it “fit” the character.
He said: “The nerves I had were very much similar to the character that I do in the show. It all came from there and has been a blur since.”
His role as Merrill Osmond is “special” to Mr Anderson as it is the first time he has portrayed someone who is alive.
He explained: “It quite surreal that you are hearing someone’s story and what you are doing on stage is real. To hear the stories coming from [Jay’s] heart is really touching. It is quite a moment seeing how he is performing and it does not feel like you are acting sometimes because you are just portraying his life.”
In his opinion, the best part of the show is getting to know the Osmonds family on a personal level and how “incredible it was with everything and all the pressures they were under”.
While at the Westgate Centre, Jay Osmond told the Oxford Mail how he loves the "quaintness" of Oxford.
He said: "Not only is it historical but there is a great spirit here. People are happy, they are productive, they are good people. I just love it."
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