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Sometimes all it takes is a little faith.
"I didn’t think I’d have a chance at [playing] Felix," Roy Wilbur, of Sixth and Christian streets, said of his turn as one half of "The Odd Couple" in the production premiering tomorrow night. "But [the director] ended up casting me."
Director John Blackwell decided to have a little faith of his own and give the 6-foot-7 Wilbur a shot at uptight, hypochondriac Felix Ungar, a role not traditionally played by such a dominating presence.
"It’s a very good production. Damian Muziani … he is Oscar and he is terrific. And the chemistry we’ve developed in terms of the relationship of Felix and Oscar, I think he’s really pleased with it and I’m really pleased with it," Wilbur said.
With performances at the 200-seat Grand Theater in Williamstown, N.J., going through Dec. 12, locals will have time to make the 30-minute jaunt across the bridge to see the one-time opera singer shine.
"There was that big period of time when I didn’t perform," the 53-year-old, who took a 12-year hiatus from the stage, said. "I think the ultimate goal of mine would be within five to six years maybe to be retired from arts administration and be able to perform full-time doing theater again."
Classically trained as a baritone and then a tenor, Wilbur had roots in live theater before committing to opera, though he has spent the majority of the past 20 years toiling behind the scenes instead of in the limelight.
A job change two years ago brought on new challenges while freeing up a little time to return to his craft.
"I’m thin and I’m balding, so there aren’t that many roles I can do ’cause of my physicality — it doesn’t lend itself to some things. There are challenges to get cast in roles I’d like to do," Wilbur said. "When those opportunities arise, I’ll just go and audition and see what happens."
What arose from his last outing was a starring role and a return to exactly where he wanted to be.
"Performing is my first love. I would be performing all the time if I could," he said.
Wilber grew up in Wichita, Kan., where he attended Wichita State University. Graduating with a bachelor of arts in vocal performance and a minor in theater, he relied on a good piece of advice for his next step.
"Ryan Edwards was singing with the Metropolitan Opera and he came to Wichita and was giving a master class," Wilbur, who was training as a baritone, said. "I asked him, ‘What would you recommend I do?’ and he wrote me a letter of recommendation [to the Academy of Vocal Arts]."
Edwards, an AVA alum, encouraged the aspiring singer to flex his pipes for the Philadelphia-based conservatory. Wilbur packed his bags and auditioned, eventually being granted resident artist status by Center City-based AVA in 1979.
"One of my really favorite roles was an opera version of ‘Of Mice and Men’ and I got to sing the role of Lenny," Wilbur, who switched to tenor once he landed in Philadelphia, said.
The roughly five years Wilbur spent working as a professional opera singer took him places such as Greece and California, but, ultimately, the daily grind was not proving as fruitful as he had hoped.
"I didn’t feel, quite honestly, that I had the vocal talent to have a major career as an opera singer," Wilbur said. "You would have to be working 50 to 52 weeks out the year to able to sustain a nice lifestyle financially."
Traveling also took its toll on his personal relationships, and when the opportunity to set down sturdy career roots showed itself, Wilbur grabbed it.
"In 1988, the director of marketing position became available at the Philadelphia Drama Guild," Wilbur, who had worked for the company in all areas of administration while still performing, said. "It was that time where the career wasn’t going where I wanted it to go and I just decided to go in this other direction."
One thing lead to another and it seemed Wilbur had a knack for arts administration. Steady gigs followed with time spent as the associate director of AVA and then working for the Grand Opera House of Wilmington, Del.
While his career behind the scenes flourished, Wilbur and his partner of 30 years, Larry, moved into a home at Sixth and Christian in a then-rundown South Philly neighborhood.
"I don’t even know if we could afford to live in Queen Village now the way it’s taking off!" Wilbur, who is celebrating his 19th year in the home this coming March, said. "I love the diversity in Queen Village and we have a variety of ethnic groups and families.
"We have all this variety of culture and it’s just so rich in that way. It’s one of the great joys of living here."
As Wilbur watched the neighborhood grow, his professional career got busier, as well, though it left little time for his passions.
"I continued to perform a little on the side while I was working until 1995," Wilbur said. "From ’95 to 2007, I pretty much did not perform."
Two years ago, Wilbur made another move to the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, where he took on the role of senior marketing specialist. In his new capacity, he found a way to squeeze in some extracurriculars.
"I have had a little more time to start focusing on my performing, again," Wilbur said. "The job is demanding, but it does allow me a little time to start performing again. I’ve done about four plays in the last two years."
His latest is one Wilbur can get really excited about, as it is in the vein he hopes to pursue in the coming years.
"Since I started performing again I’ve been focused on straight theater and comedy," Wilbur said, adding with a laugh, "I prefer not to do singing anymore since it’s not working like it did at one time."
His four nights and one afternoon spent as Felix promises to be cathartic for Wilbur, as well as those who come out to see it.
"These guys are going through difficult times with divorce, separation and financial problems," Wilbur said. "It will be an opportunity for people to have a good time but also to say, ‘Hey, you know, I can relate to what’s going on with these guys,’ and look at real life in a lighter kind of way that allows a release from the tensions of their day-to-day life."
"The Odd Couple" is playing at The Grand Theatre, 405 S. Main St., Williamstown N.J., 8 p.m. Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12 and 2 p.m. Dec. 6. Call 856-728-2120, or visit www.RoadCompany.com.
