Washington High School graduate Richard Paul Fink (1973) is making a Stark County debut on Saturday when The Metropolitan Opera’s series “The Met: Live in HD” broadcasts a live performance of John Adams’ acclaimed opera “Dr. Atomic” to theatre screens nationwide. With behind the scenes looks and a full broadcast of the matinee performance, the famed opera house is making the fine art of opera accessible to everyone.
And Fink (shown at right in the photo) will be a part of it. He stars in the show, playing scientist Edward Teller who helped J. Robert Oppenheimer (left, portrayed by Gerald Finley) build the atom bomb during the now infamous “Manhatten Project” during WWII.
“To portray a Edward Teller is quite interesting,” Fink said. “It’s kind of interesting to portray a real character as opposed to a fictional character.”
Until Saturday, Fink’s biggest Stark County role was that of Massillon’s beloved Obie. During his time at Washington High School, Fink donned the old, familiar tiger skin suit and fired up the fans at football games.
It’s the role he’s loved the most, despite singing and performing around the nation and around the world. His passion for playing Obie took him to the biggest stages in the world.
Now, that passion is carrying him to the silver screen.
Sharing music and theatre with movie-goers, making opera more accessible to the masses is something that Fink is proud to be a part of.
“People have always said it is an elitist art form, but my question is has the art form gotten more elitist or have we had a lack of understanding of it,” Fink said. Giving everybody the chance to see a contemporary opera could change their views on the art itself, he added.
“We are still telling fantastic tales and stories, but trying to make it more accessible to the public,” Fink said of his craft. “As a society, we have gotten away from the arts and the idea of bringing live theatre to more people. It’s ability to transport us to another location both mentally and physically is one of the greatest things about theatre.”
Fink said he performances have been taped and shown before, but he has never been a part of a live broadcast like this one. Being a movie star is something completely new to him.
“I don’t feel like a movie star, not yet,” Fink says with a hearty laugh. “Any time my ego gets puffed up, I turn around and start remembering where I came from. …My whole family tends to keep me humble. You just have to remember your roots – putting on that old Tiger skin.”
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When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: Tinseltown USA, 4720 Mega St. N.W.
Tickets: are available at the theatre box office or online at Fandango. The cost is $24 for adults, $22 for seniors and $16 for children.
Additional information:
Where: Tinseltown USA, 4720 Mega St. N.W.
Tickets: are available at the theatre box office or online at Fandango. The cost is $24 for adults, $22 for seniors and $16 for children.
Additional information:
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