Jazz is in the blood for actor

Young Chang

The character of Gene in the Tony-winning play “Side Man” eventually

drives his wife mad after years of neglect and false promises.

He is detached and irresponsible when it comes to most everything. But

when it comes to jazz, Gene’s first love, he “really comes to life,” said

actor Steven Sloan, who plays Gene in the Orange Coast College production

running this weekend and next.

As an architect who plays jazz trumpet for fun, and as the son of a

professional jazz saxophonist who played with the Stan Kenton Big Band,

Sloan can begin to understand and forgive his character’s ways.

When it comes to creating music, especially in the improvisation-heavy

genre of jazz, in which passion and personality speak through the sound,

you almost can’t expect a musician to rank music second in life.

“It might be difficult to give equal weight to all areas of your life

and really be great at all of them,” said Sloan, who has played the

trumpet for OCC’s Monday Night Big Band for years.

John Ferzacca, who is directing the show, said the cast was privileged

to find a leading actor who’s really a musician in his free time. The

Broadway production of the show used a dub-over for the trumpeting, the

director said.

“We actually have live trumpet, and that’s kind of a big thing for

us,” Ferzacca said. “This guy plays jazz, and the music is more important

to him than the kids. It’s a funny and heartbreaking story and looks at

the kinds of music I enjoy.”

Joni Ross, who plays Gene’s wife, Terry, said “Side Man” shows what a

man will give up for his music.

The story is set in New York in the 1950s. Gene borders on obsession

when it comes to jazz, especially because Elvis and rock ‘n’ roll are

beginning to steal the music scene. He loves his wife and child but is

oblivious to them. Terry becomes an alcoholic, she and Gene split up

after 30 years, and later the neglected wife tries to commit suicide.

“Musicians always have struggled anyway just to keep their families

alive,” said Ross, who is a professional singer. “Gene ends up having to

do both but doesn’t do the family part as well.”

The play jumps in time from 1985 to the early 1960s, when Terry and

Gene met and fall in love. The scenes are quick and numerous as they jump

from time to time.

“It’s the most challenging role I’ve played to date because of the

range of emotions,” said Ross, 47. “It’s very thought-provoking, and it’s

kind of sad.”

FYI

WHAT: “Side Man”

WHEN: 2 and 8 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 2 and 8 p.m.

June 29

WHERE: Orange Coast College’s Drama Lab Theatre, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa

COST: $7-$10

CALL: (714) 432-5880