"Tee Time With Ernest" by Diane Arellano

"They were doing "West Side Story" in my freshman year (high school)and they needed guys. They just needed bodies on the stage it didn't matter if you knew how to act, sing, dance or anything. Right then, I knew that I just had to be on the stage. I was just having a great time." remembers Ernest Marchain of his introduction to theatre. He now brings that same enthusiasm to his role of "Rusty" , the loveable steam train racing against the odds. Ernest recently worked in the Germany production of "Starlight Express" in which he portrayed the German train "Turnov" in his first year then he moved on to "Rusty" in his second. He has been having a fun time with Starlight and finds his favorite parts of the show being the fast-paced "Crazy", which shows his great skating ability as he wildly makes his way about the stage. He even skates off the top of the bowls located on either side of the stage. The other song he enjoys performing is the romantic "Next time you fall in love". With Dawn Marie Church.


Woo! Woo! people can do it like a steam train!

Ernest was born and raised in Pasadena, California on January 2 under the sign of the capricorn. He came from a big family consisting of two brothers and three sisters and had an interest in a variety of sports while in school. He has even entertained the idea of being a proffesional golf player and now finds himself on the golf course during his free time. When he was 19, he wanted to become a cop and even passed his test for the L.A. County Sherrif's Department, but the entertainment bug persisted and he went on to pursue that venue. Before his "Starlight" success, Ernest worked at Universal Studios as a member of a 50's a capella group, Hollywood High Tones and played the role of "Dracula" in the Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue. Professionally, Ernest finds Anthony Warlow an inspiration. (take a listen to the "Jekyll & Hyde" soundtrack). "He's amazing. He actually brought tears to my eyes. He has the most beautifull voice I've ever heard in my life. He's my hero, without a doubt. I want to be right in there singing with him." He enjoys the comedy of Bill Murray, Adam Sandler (could there be a golf connection here?) and David Letterman. At work Dawn Marie Church and Beverly Braybon are a couple of friends who keep him laughing. Ernest is very motivated and dedicated to his proffesion and hopes to work in television and film someday, but he would like to perform the roles of "The Phantom" in " The Phantom of the Opera", "Chris" in "Miss Saigon" and "Marius" in "Les Miserables". When it comes to his future, Ernest hopes for health, happiness and of course, a lot of GOLF! **Interviewed and Written by Diane Arellano President of the "Starlight Express" fan club Las Vegas.**

The Starlight Express Fan Club in Vegas (If it is

barber@ctaz.com
Starlight Express Fan Club
p.o. Box 35623
Las Vegas, Nevada 89133-5623
United States