Boyd Galloway, who plays the husband and father Bruce, is enjoying this Proud Mary moment in Fun Home, despite the character’s closeted and moody tendencies.

A singer for decades, Boyd has appeared in the world premiere of Don McCullough’s Let My People Go. At the Library of Congress he premiered David Raskin’s Oedipus Remembers and was in American premieres of Gershwin’s long lost musicals Primrose and Pardon My English.

At the Kennedy Center he performed in hit Gershwin revivals Of Thee I Sing and Let ‘Em Eat Cake. Boyd sang in the men’s chorus for the National Symphony recording of Corigliano’s Of Rage and Remembrance, an homage to the AIDS quilt and winner of the 1997 Grammy for Best Classical Album. Some of his American Repertory Singers recordings have been featured on National Public Media’s Performance Today. More recently, Boyd has kept busy working as a chorister and background actor.

You might have glimpsed him backing up Kenny Rogers at the Peace Center or in movies such as Office Christmas Party (Paramount), playing piano in Christine (2016, Rough House) which premiered at Sundance Film Festival, or in Confirmation (HBO), nominated for an Emmy for best TV movie or mini-series.

Locally, he has performed with Warehouse Theatre, Center Stage, SC Children’s Theatre, Abbeville Opera House, and Mill Town Players. He is currently active in choral groups Concordiae and S.C. Bach Choir. He lives in Anderson and is BIC of Steven Boyd Enterprises Realty & Property.

“Fun Home” runs June 7-16, 2019 at the West Main Artists Co-Operative, 578 West Main St. in Spartanburg. Shows are Friday-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 pm. with one Thursday show June 13 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-25. For more information, visit www.proudmarytheatre.com/tickets/.

You play an abusive husband and father and someone accused of heinous crime? How have you dealt with this character’s darkness? 

I’ve thought a lot about Bruce’s back story, the time period, and all the questions surrounding his bad behavior, seedy sexual exploits, double life, and ultimate demise.  One can’t make excuses for Bruce, although I sometimes wonder if the author was entirely fair in her assessment.  She can draw a circle around HER memories of him, but the lives of our parents are so much more multifaceted than we can ever fully realize.  There’s a line that Bruce says to small Alison: “I do dumb, dangerous things.  I’m bad, not good like you.”  Despite Bruce’s heinous behavior, I hold on to the notion that he loved his daughter.  This play just has so many layers that can be peeled back.  

What attracted you to this role? To this musical?

I fully support the mission of Proud Mary.  This is a meaty role.  It’s not often that this kind of opportunity comes along for a singer and character actor like me.

 What was your familiarity with FUN HOME? 
Previously, none.

Have you read the memoir was based on? 
Yes, since rehearsals started.

What are some of the more interesting things you have discovered or done in the rehearsal process?  While playing the character of Bruce, it’s vital to find triggers to come back to being a more even-keeled me off stage.  

What is the most challenging part about your role or songs? 
Bruce pops on and off stage a lot.  He has emotional extremes.

What have you learned about yourself from playing this role? 
Having come out in the 70s myself, I give myself a pat on the back for being true to myself and helping to advance the causes of the gay rights movement.  Accepting yourself makes dealing with everything else so much easier. 

What do you hope patrons will take away from their Fun Home experience? 
For anyone who has gone through, thinking about, or dealing with the process of coming out, I hope it helps them “to know what’s true, did deep into who and what and why and when.