Victor Garber on why he doesn’t want to sing publicly anymore
Titanic, Sweeney Todd and Alias star discusses the recent experience that "derailed him emotionally"
I’ve had the privilege of interviewing many high-profile artists this year, including Alan Menken, Tim Rice, Idina Menzel and Megan Follows. These talks have usually been tied to a show, or film, or award — and much of the interview time has been spent discussing that.
But sometimes, I get quotes that I just can’t use. They’re too specialized, or niche, and it would take too much work and fiddling around to include and contextualize them to fit in my allotted space.
That was the case with my recent interview with stage, TV and film star Victor Garber, who’s being feted at the end of the month by the Forest City Film Festival in his hometown of London, Ont. He’s receiving their first ever Lifetime Achievement Award for his film work, which includes Titanic, Legally Blonde, Argo, The First Wives Club, Godspell, Sleepless in Seattle... the list goes on.
Garber is taking part in Q&As before three of his movies, and will be the honouree for a special Godspell brunch that includes a Zoom chat with his fellow 1972 Godspell Toronto cast members Eugene Levy, Martin Short and Paul Shaffer, all moderated, in person, by producer Michael Rubinoff.
During my research, I was shocked to discover that Garber — who originated roles in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd and Assassins, and introduced a whole new generation to musical theatre in the TV adaptation of Annie — was no longer interested in singing or doing musical theatre.
In 2018, he replaced his friend David Hyde Pierce in the Broadway revival of Hello Dolly! But he also told The Hollywood Reporter that he wouldn’t be doing a nightclub act anytime soon.
He still sings, though, right?
“No, that’s the point,” he told me. “I can’t do it. I could tell you unabashedly that I miss singing. I recently did a scene with Patti LuPone for a TV thing. She still sounds remarkable. We’ve had the same voice teacher for years. I haven’t had a lesson in over two years.”
Then he paused and said, “I wonder if I should talk about this...” And then, gently encouraged, he went on to discuss his role in the 2023 Disney animated musical Wish, in which he plays Sabino, the great grandfather of the Ariana DeBose character, Asha.
“The reason I wanted to do the part was because there was a song that was written — a beautiful ballad with a lute,” he said.