Some actors work their entire careers without playing their dream role. Danny Arnold ’07 landed his after attending one open call.
Arnold is currently touring the country as a cast member in the Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof. In addition to performing in the ensemble, he is the understudy of Tevye, the award-winning musical’s leading character.
“I attended an open call with hundreds of others and ended up getting a callback,” Arnold says. “Then I had two more callbacks after that, before finally auditioning for Tony Award–winning director Bartlett Sher and ultimately being offered the job,” he says.
“It was actually the first time I’ve ever auditioned for the show. To be able to play Tevye on stage nationwide is like a dream come true.”
Arnold has performed as Tevye 29 times in major cities such as Denver and Chicago.
“I’ve had kind of a unique path, because I wasn’t a theatre major in college,” Arnold adds.
Arnold chose to study at Susquehanna for its campus beauty and well-known music department. He planned to pursue a major in music education before ultimately shifting gears and earning a degree in elementary education.
Though musical theatre wasn’t his primary focus, Arnold was still able to express himself creatively and hone his craft. He participated in the theatre department’s student-led productions and was a member of the Susquehanna University Choir.
Arnold credits Professor David Steinau with keeping his passion for musical theatre alive. “During voice lessons, Dr. Steinau encouraged me to sing pieces from theatre and always encouraged me to keep theatre there as an option,” Arnold says.
After graduating, Arnold was a full-time educator for nearly 10 years. He continued to be involved in local and regional theatre, and in 2012 he played his first role outside of college — Leo Frank in Parade at Bloomfield, New Jersey’s 4th Wall Theater.
Arnold has appeared as Ché in the Tony-winning Evita, as Theodore Roosevelt in Newsies and as Bobby in Stephen Sondheim’s Company. He has also performed roles in Guys & Dolls, Sweeney Todd, A Christmas Carol and Les Miserables.
“I loved teaching, but theatre really is where my passions lie,” says Arnold. “I’m going to continue to pursue them, and see where they take me next.”
Arnold is contracted to tour with Fiddler on the Roof through 2020. Since September 2018, he has performed 288 times in more than 30 cities. You can find a tour stop near you by visiting fiddlermusical.com.
