Webster Groves Actor To Perform in “Macbeth” At The Rep

When the lights go up on Macbeth at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, taking the stage as Duncan will be Jerry Vogel, who grew up in Webster Groves beginning when he was 10 years old.

In addition to performing at numerous local and national theaters, he's now been nominated for his first Kevin Kline Award for Best Supporting Actor. The awards recognizes outstanding achievement in Professional Theatre in the Greater St. Louis Area.

Vogel attended Mary Queen of Peace Elementary School, and from there followed a curious road to the stage at the Loretto Hilton, a road not necessarily paved with yellow brick.

While attending De Smet Jesuit high school, Vogel began acting in school plays and continued to do so when he began attending University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), but after two years, reality set in.

“I had too much fun at UMSL, and I kept forgetting to study,” Vogel said. “I decided I'd better get serious... be a grown up.”

Transferring to University of Missouri-Columbia, Vogel got a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, graduating cum Laude, but soon began to question his decision.

“I had a panic attack,” Vogel said. “I didn't want to spend my life being an accountant.”

So Vogel sat down with his parents and announced that he wanted to go back to school to study acting.

“My father just stood up and left the room." Vogel said. “But my mom said, 'If that's what you want, then do it.'”

Vogel started over at Webster College as a freshman where he had the time of his life, he said, and now has performed at many theaters both nationally and locally, including “Outlying Island” with Upstream Theater, for which he received his first Kevin Kline nomination.

What was it like for Vogel to get his first nomination?

“I was starting to wonder, you know?” Vogel said. “Like a reverse Sally Fields thing. It's so subjective.”

In the play, Vogel played a man who gets progressively drunker during the first act and then dies before intermission.

“In the second act I played a dead body," Vogel said. “I had to look like I'm not breathing and remain still for 25 minutes. That was the hardest thing I ever did.”

Vogel is thankful for the nomination, and thankful for the recognition by his theater peers.

“Acting is just one of those arts where you don't want to be celebrated after you're dead,” Vogel said. “You need to be validated while you're still here. It's a really nice dessert to feed that fragile, hungry ego.”

Like most actors, theater jobs don't always pay the bills, and now he's beginning to seek more directing jobs and teaching opportunities, having recently received his Master's degree from Lindenwood College by attending classes over a period of three years.

“I've always had to find other work to fill in the blanks, but I'm happy,” Vogel said.

Vogel's siblings all went on to become successful in traditional careers, and he can't help but compare what his life would have been like if he had remained an accountant.

“I've made my peace with not having that kind of money,” Vogel said. “I've always had a nice place to live, I've always had a car and I've never gone hungry.”

What: Macbeth

When: Feb. 9 - Mar. 6, 2011

Where: Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Loretto Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves.

Tickets: Purchase tickets online or call the Rep. box office, (314) 968-4925.