By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer
The last time readers of the Northeast Times caught up with Blake Bashoff, the Bustleton native was capitalizing on his boyish good looks and innate comfort in front of a camera to lay the foundation of a highly successful acting career.
Bashoff was just 12 then. Fourteen years later, he’s doing pretty much the same exact thing, as an emerging character in the acclaimed ABC television series Lost, as well as the newest star of an award-winning Broadway musical.
Though 26 now, Bashoff portrays troubled teens in both productions and pulls off both roles flawlessly due in large part to his Dick Clark-ish immunity to Father Time.
In Lost (Thursdays, 9 p.m., ABC), he plays the recurring role of Karl, a recalcitrant member of “The Others” best known for his romantic link to Alex, adopted daughter of “Others” leader Ben.
In Spring Awakening, Bashoff plays Moritz Stiefel, a teen tormented by the physical and emotional travails of adolescence. Though set in late 19th century Germany, the eight-time Tony-winning musical features a rock-and-roll score that earned it a Grammy award on Sunday.
Ironically, Bashoff cannot claim to have been involved in the early successes of either production — as he debuted in Season 3 of Lost last year and replaced original Awakening cast member John Gallagher Jr. in December, a full year after its Broadway debut.
Yet, Bashoff most certainly has paid his dues in show biz, having endured an endless litany of TV commercial shoots as a youngster, then a shift in professional philosophy following a make-or-break move to Los Angeles in 1999, the year he graduated from Washington High.
“As a child, I was much more of a ham and a performer and uninhibited,” Bashoff told the Times in a telephone interview while on his way to the Eugene O’Neill Theater for his regular Thursday night performance. “In high school, I still loved the arts, but I became more introverted and shy. And when I graduated and moved to L.A., I realized that I wanted to take (performing) more as a craft. I knew I wanted to do it right away.”
Bashoff’s talent has always been a constant.
In an April 1994 Times article, Bashoff’s parents — Irene and Ken — discussed their son’s earliest performances as a 3-year-old when he would stand on the table at family dinners and social events and offer a song and dance to the appreciative audience.
Today, Bashoff recalls that he never really attended a formal performing arts school, although he took individual voice lessons for a spell and then gained some experience through school and regional productions while at Washington.
He won dozens of TV commercial jobs as a youth, including those for Wendy’s, Dannon, Skippy, Safeguard and breakfast cereal. Perhaps his first big break came when at age 12 he landed the lead role in The Calvin Mire Story, an HBO film about an abused child.
Around the same time, Bashoff got his first experience in a major stage production by appearing in Twist, a modern musical remake of Oliver Twist at the venerable Walnut Street Theatre.
His other childhood credits included episodes of Law & Order and New York Undercover. In 2000, he appeared in the Olsen twins film You’re Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley’s School Dance, but soon moved onto more challenging roles, like that of abused teen Eric Black in 11 episodes of the TV hit Judging Amy from 2001 to ’03.
Appearances on Boston Public, Charmed and One Tree Hill followed, along with various independent projects.
Bashoff landed the part of Karl on Lost through a standard audition.
“I had just come back from working on an independent movie. I met with the producer, Damon Lindelof, and we just hit it off,” Bashoff said. “I auditioned on a Wednesday and flew out on Friday.”
Lost, which won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series in 2005, its debut season, is shot almost exclusively in Hawaii. According to Bashoff, the cast and crew spend about nine days per episode, although with an ensemble cast of more than a dozen, he gets plenty of down time when on location. He spends most of it reading or simply enjoying the island paradise.
Bashoff has made the trip about 10 times since joining the production in August 2006. He appeared in six episodes of Season 3 and also in the Season 4 premiere on Jan. 31. He has taped for two additional episodes. Due to the many mysteries of the series’ story line, its actors must be able to learn their roles on tight deadlines.
“Sometimes, (the script) comes the day before we fly out to Hawaii,” Bashoff said. “And you never get to see beyond the episode you’re currently working on.”
With his television career working out so well, Bashoff hardly expected to end up back in New York a few months ago. He had seen the casting call for the original cast of Awakening, but passed, figuring that he wasn’t seasoned enough as a live vocalist to make the leap to Broadway.
Yet, when casting folks visited L.A. late last year looking to build a national tour company, Bashoff decided to go for it. And when Gallagher suddenly resigned, Bashoff found himself in the principal role. “I rehearsed for two weeks in New York, then I went to Hawaii,” he said. “They absolutely took a risk in hiring me.”
When shooting on Lost wrapped, he flew back to the mainland, then on to New York for his Dec. 18 stage debut. The show has contracted with the actors to continue at least through May.
Bashoff has little opportunity to feel nervous as he must take his character on an emotional roller-coaster every night of the week, except Monday.
“It’s intense every show,” he said.
Bashoff added that he’d be lying if he said he didn’t find himself lying in bed some nights, contemplating his lines and ways to improve his delivery. Yet, despite the heady themes and rigorous schedule of the show, Bashoff finds comfort in its roots as an off-Broadway production.
“It started downtown and it was never expected to go on Broadway, so that keeps it really authentic,” he said. “It’s definitely dark, but it’s very funny. And the music is awesome.”
With so much on his agenda at the moment, Bashoff hardly has time to contemplate the next step in his career. But common sense tells him it’s best not to mess with success.
“I’m so happy where I am right now. I hope to continue in all venues, film, TV and theater,” he said. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com