The Men Behind CHiPS THE MUSICAL

Rick Batalla and Henry Phillips are no strangers to comedy or musicals…or each other.  Their last great venture together was the award-winning Blake…da Musical,  and CHiPS continues their comedy legacy.

One of these creative minds behind CHiPS THE MUSICAL, now playing at the Falcon Theatre, Rick Batalla, took some time out of his busy production schedule to reflect on his experiences with the show so far.

Rick Batalla - writer & "Ponch" in CHiPS THE MUSICAL

Falcon: What was your first experience with the theater?

Rick Batalla: My first experience was awkward.  I didn’t really know the girl, and I don’t think she was that into me.  I remember weeping afterwards.  Oh wait, you said theater experience…Never mind.  I’m getting that awkward feeling again.

Falcon: What is it like writing a new musical?

RB: This is my second musical, the first being the Ovation Award winning Blake..Da Musical, and the process is pretty much the same.  I look at the characters from the TV show and then give them some kind of special powers, or at least something that is new about them that no one knew existed, and then develop the scenes around that, then I develop melodies and lyrics.  Then I meet with Henry Phillips and he listens to them and he says they suck and changes them all and voila!

Falcon: How do you relate to the characters in the play?

RB: My favorite thing about playing the part of Ponch in CHiPs the Musical, is that Erik Estrada has always been a role model for me. Growing up a Latino who didn’t speak Spanish, had extremely white teeth, and who loved to wear excessively tight clothing, I didn’t have a lot of people to look up on TV.  But all that changed when Double E made his debut on that small screen.  I can only hope I can affect the lives of any Latino theater goers who don’t speak Spanish, have white teeth, and love to wear tight clothing. I know they’re out there.

Falcon: What is it like to originate a role in a world premiere play?

RB: It’s been expensive. Up until recently I have been secretly following Erik Estrada around on my Segway, and I don’t know if you know how much one of those costs, but they are pricey, but an absolute necessity if you want to get close to someone. Then there were the tanning fees, teeth whitening strips, and myriad court costs associated with the filing of restraining order by the guy who you thought you were secretly following.

Falcon: What is your favorite novel, play or movie?

Henry Phillips - composer for CHiPS THE MUSICAL

RB: My favourite movie has to be Airport 1975, where the part of Julio was played by none other than Erik Estrada himself. It not only made want to be a airline pilot who incessantly hits on the stewardesses, but it made proud to be a Latino who didn’ t speak Spanish, had white teeth, and wore tight clothing. It made me believe I could do anything.

Falcon: What is the funniest thing that has happened during a rehearsal?

RB: We were all there once. That was pretty funny. Actually that was pretty weird.

Falcon: Why should people come see CHiPS?

RB: Because they love America, and they want the economy rebound, and they want all sheltered puppies to get adopted.  Seeing me in this show is the start of all that.

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Rick Batalla (Writer) Rick grew up with the cop shows of the ‘70’s, and since his only other friend at that time was his harpsichord, the pairing of music and cop shows seemed natural to him. Some of the other cop musicals Rick has done are Barnaby Jones is Jed!, Telly Like It Is, and the Robert Blake musical entitled Blake…Da Musical, which won the Ovation Award for Best Musical.  Rick studied and performed at The Second City, and founded Upfront Comedy in Santa Monica.   He has been a writer for TBS, NBC, and CBS.

Henry Phillips (Composer) has been seen performing his twisted songs and stories on Comedy Central, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live and NBC’s Late Friday.  His nationally released CDs, fusing mellow folk-rock ballads with psychopathic lyrics have earned him mention in Billboard magazine’s ‘Critic’s Choice’, as well as acclaim from such notable artists as Moby, who referred to Phillips’ songs as “disconcertingly funny”.  His first collaboration with Rick Batalla, the acclaimed Blake…Da Musical earned the Ovation Award for Best New Musical.