BY MIKE RUSSO
But Murray, now 44 and living in Lynbrook, has made quite a name for himself throughout Long Island and New York City in the entertainment field. He performed his first-ever autobiographical, one-man cabaret show "Another Moment", this July. "I hoped to take the audience on a 50-minute emotional journey," said Murray.
Unlike traditional musicals and plays, cabaret focuses on interacting with the crowd and making them feel like they are a part of the experience. Ironically, the challenge for Murray was to back off from his normal animated character for a more serious role of acting "himself."
With the cabaret being focused on Murray's life, there will be a few familiar songs chosen by Murray and his directors, to tell his life story through music. Some old favorites will include "Something Good" from the Sound of Music and "Melody of Love" by Bobby Vinton, which pays tribute to his Polish background. His director, Lina Koutrakos wrote the music for his opening piece, "One More Moment".
Having done mostly plays and musicals throughout his career, Murray feels he has found his calling with cabaret. He can incorporate his love for comedy, song, and patter into one solid performance. He has done cabaret before and has hired former students from Mineola High School, where he has taught English for 16 years. "I had to make a decision on which direction I could focus my energies", said Murray, "It was time for a change." Incorporating his teaching with his performing was easy for him.
When Murray was first hired by the New York cabaret circuit for which he currently works, his director Koutrakos proclaimed, "You're working with the 'A-Team' now".Murray's response? "I like these challenging roles, I get to be more picky now." Koutrakos told him he has a great laugh and joked that he would make a great audience member in his own productions.
Murray has done a series of local shows on Long Island including a six-character production of "Cheaters" at the studio theater in Lindenhurst. In "Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks" Murray played a dance instructor. It was performed at Molloy College and the BayWay Arts Center
Murray began his career in theater after auditioning for Adelphi's theater program. Eventually, C.W. Post offered him a double major in English and Theater. He has been head of the drama program at Mineola High School for 13 years. He also teaches dance there and directs the school musicals and plays. "I'm trying to motivate my students to see the stars in their lives", he said.
Murray was born in New Hyde Park, currently lives in Lynbrook and has a condo in Las Vegas.
"Now I have the best of both worlds." he said, referring to his living arrangements and his love of teaching and acting.
