One of Point Loma’s own will soon add his wattage to the many stars illuminating Broadway’s stages. Local actor Spencer Moses recently relocated to New York City where he’ll perform in the Broadway production “The Farnsworth Invention.”
Set in the year 1929, “The Farnsworth Invention” is a drama that centers around two men battling one other to be the first to invent the television device, according to the production’s website.
“Separated by 2,000 miles, each knows that if he stops working, even for a moment, the other will gain the edge. Who will unlock the key to the greatest innovation of the 20th century: the ruthless media mogul or the self-taught Idaho farm boy?,” poses a question on the website.
The production will premiere Nov. 14 at the Music Box Theatre, located in the city’s Theatre District between Broadway and 8th Avenue.
“Farnsworth” was written by Emmy Award-winning playwright Aaron Sorkin and directed by Tony Award winner and director emeritus of La Jolla Playhouse Des McAnuff. In addition, legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg is one of the show’s several producers.
Moses said he was lucky enough to meet Spielberg last March during a workshop production of “The Farnsworth Invention” at the La Jolla Playhouse.
“It was great,” Moses said. “He came down to the dressing rooms after the show to shake our hand and meet everyone. He was really a genuinely nice person.”
Well-known stage and screen actor Hank Azaria will star in the show as David Sarnoff. Moses will portray a character named Stan Willis.
“He is a part of the lab team that help [character] Philo Farnsworth create his invention,” he said. “He’s a real smart college junior from CalTech [California Institute of Technology] in Pasadena.”
Moses is also an understudy for Azaria’s starring role.
A longtime San Diego resident, Moses attended Point Loma High School. There, he counted the recently retired Larry Zeiger, pioneer of the schools’ highly acclaimed musical theatre and cinema arts program, as his teacher. Moses was enrolled in Zeiger’s Art of Film and Musical Theatre class and also starred in one of his productions, “Tailor Made,” during his senior year.
Zeiger recalled a memorable skit Moses performed in the production while dressed as a bride ” a get-up he asked all the girls in the class to help him put together.
“He stole the show,” Zeiger said. “He was hilarious.”
After graduating in 1995, Moses studied acting at San Diego State University. He later returned to Point Loma High to co-direct two of Zieger’s productions.
“It’s one of the most exciting things for Spencer and I think it’s absolutely fabulous,” Zeiger said. “He was always an extraordinarily talented student.”
Other local performances of note for Moses include a spot in the Old Globe Theatre’s 2006 cast of “Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
Moses said he played a “Who, down in Whoville.”
It was during this production that he also met his girlfriend, Ashley Linton, a fellow Who in the production.
When he received the call from a casting director informing him of the prospect of acting on Broadway, Moses said he was overcome with emotion.
“I was kind of yelling and jumping up and down when I got the phone call,” Moses said. “It was pretty stunning.”
Zeiger said he and a group of former students and friends plan to travel to New York City in the fall to see Moses perform.
“It’s just a thrill to see someone so dedicated and with such a passion for the arts to become successful,” Zieger said. “I told him I would not miss it.”
For more information on “The Farnsworth Invention,” visit www.farnsworthonbroadway.com.