Noted actor of stage and screen to star in "The Price" at Cinnabar Theater in Petaluma

Veteran actor, Charles Siebert of Healdsburg, featured in the Cinnabar Theater production of "The Price" as antique dealer Gregory Solomon.

PETALUMA, CA  ~ The actor playing eccentric antique dealer Gregory Solomon in the upcoming Cinnabar Theater production of "The Price" certainly has a face and career many would recognize.
 
His long and successful acting career spans Broadway, film and television - but, chances are you don't know his name.

He's worked alongside some of the most notable celebrities of stage and screen; has been in seven Broadway productions; appeared in several feature films and hundreds of television shows - including his co-starring role as Dr. Stanley Riverside on the popular television series "Trapper John, M.D."
 
        What's his name ?
        Charles Siebert.

Siebert, a resident of Healdsburg since 1992, is probably best known for his role as Dr. Stanley Riverside on the popular television series which ran from 1979 to 1986.

More recently Siebert has garnered a bevy of new fans after making a 2012 Sonoma County stage appearance as Big Daddy in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." 
 
Siebert returns to the stage in Sonoma County this spring Cinnabar Theater production of "The Price," playing March 22 to April 7, 2013 at  3333 Petaluma Blvd. North in Petaluma. For tickets or more information about "The Price" call  707-763-8920  or visit  www.cinnabartheater.org
 
Movie fans might recognized Siebert from his roles in major feature films including "...And Justice for All," with Al Pacino; "All Night Long," with Barbra Streisand and Gene Hackman or "White Water Summer," with Kevin Bacon.
 
After studying acting at Marquette University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Siebert worked during the 1960s as an actor in regional theater with companies including Shakespeare in the Park in New York City; American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Connecticut; Chicago's Goodman Theatre; and Baltimore's Center Stage.
 
Siebert made his Broadway debut in 1967 in Bertolt Brecht's "Life of Galileo." Other Broadway appearances included the 1968 musical "Jimmy Shine," featuring Dustin Hoffman in the title role; Neil Simon's "The Gingerbread Lady," with Maureen Stapleton; and the 1974 revival of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," with Elizabeth Ashley and Fred Gwynne.
 
While living in New York City during the late 1960's and early 1970's, Siebert also appeared in soap operas including "Another World," "As The World Turns," "Search for Tomorrow" and "One Life to Live."
 
After settling in Los Angeles in 1976, Siebert landed his first feature film role in the horror classic "Blue Sunshine." He also appeared as guest star on numerous television programs including "One Day at a Time" and "The Rockford Files."

After "Trapper John, M.D." Siebert worked as a director for several successful television series including "Xena: Warrior Princess."
 
More recently Siebert has garnered a bevy of new fans after making a 2012 Sonoma County stage appearance as Big Daddy in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." 
 
Recently Charles Siebert answered some questions about his acting career and the Sonoma County theater scene.
 
Q & A:
 
Q:     How did you first become involved in acting / theater?

A:     I fell under the spell of an inspirational teacher, a Jesuit priest named John J. Walsh, at Marquette University. I started in journalism school but, just  for the hell of it, I took an acting class. The first day I learned that acting could be a noble and important calling and besides, the girls were cuter than in journalism school.
 
Q:     What would you say was the "big break" in your acting career?

A:     A career has a long arc. Your first job is a “big break.” My second “big break” was my second job in the very first company of the American Conservatory Theatre. I had been a professional actor for only three months. That was a big leap. Then there was my first Broadway show, which happened to be with Dustin Hoffman - who was appearing in his first Broadway show, too. And of course, "Trapper John, M.D." which gave me a lot of national exposure and was a springboard to my directing career.
 
Q:     How would you describe your career as a working actor?

A:     One hell of a good time and, as it happens - with a bit of luck - a hell of a good living too.
 
Q:     You've had just about every type of gig an actor can have: stage, film, television, soap operas and even celebrity game show contestant. Can you pick a favorite?

A:     The stage is the actor’s natural environment. The actor rules the stage; there’s no one to say “cut,” no one to edit your performance, tear it apart and re-shape it. Once you take that first step from the wings onto the stage you own it.
 
Q:    Your career includes working alongside some highly celebrated actors. What impressed you about those mega talents?      

A:     To paraphrase Will Rogers - “I never met a good actor I didn't like.”  I've worked with a lot of greats and one thing they all have in common is that they work very hard and take the work very seriously. You can't get ahead without that.
            
Q:     As a successful working actor and a director, what advice would you give to someone considering a career in acting?

A:     It’s not for the faint of heart. You have to want it so badly that nothing will stop you from pursuing it. You can lie down in the street and get run over by a bus and suffer less pain than you can in trying to create a career as a professional actor or director. But, if you're determined and stick with it all your life it can be more fun and more rewarding than just about anything else I can think of. I've loved my career and my life and I owe it all to Father Walsh.
 
Q:     What do you think can theater companies in Sonoma County should do to retain their loyal audiences and court young adults?

A:     There is so much competition for everyone’s free time it gets more and more difficult. Obviously you have to find ways to use the new technologies. But, the theater has almost always been in trouble. The main thing to do is to keep turning out good theater. Treat it seriously, work hard and maintain your integrity. If you do good work people will find you.