Murrysville native returns from Broadway for Civic Light Opera's 75th anniversary performance

Singing and performing have been part of Manu Narayan’s life since he was 5 years old, taking singing lessons from Greensburg instructor Nancy Burke.

That led the Murrysville native to be part of local children’s performing groups, roles at Apple Hill Playhouse and Greensburg Civic Theater, and then auditions at Pittsburgh’s Civic Light Opera and a theater education at Carnegie Mellon University.

That path ultimately led not just to roles on Broadway in New York City but a leading role in “Bombay Dreams,” the first Broadway musical to have originated in India.

Narayan had a chance to return to Pittsburgh recently, as part of the CLO’s 75th anniversary musical celebration at Heinz Field, where he performed Stephen Sondheim’s “Putting It Together,” from the 1984 musical “Sunday in the Park with George.”

Narayan, now a resident of the New York City area, recently spoke with the Trib about his musical career and returning to the area to perform. This interview has been edited for length.

Q What has been your favorite Broadway role so far, and why?

A My leading role of Akaash in “Bombay Dreams” on Broadway. It was the first Indian musical to be on Broadway, composed by A.R. Rahman, who would go on to win an Oscar for “Slumdog Millionaire.” It was produced in part by Andrew Lloyd Weber, and I was the star of the show. It was a huge responsibility to sing, dance and act for me, as well as an even bigger cultural responsibility to shoulder for the entire cast. To be the face of a new Broadway production is always a challenge, but to do so with a cultural responsibility to introduce American audiences to the idea of Bollywood films, music, dancing, costume, religious themes — all of which in 2004 was not as widely known as today — was a huge responsibility.

Q You also have some experience in the film industry. Which do you prefer, Broadway or movies?

A I love both movies as well as theater. There is a real sense of community coming together in both.

Q That includes working with Mike Myers while filming “The Love Guru.” What is it like working with someone who is so well-known in the comedy world?

A It was amazing. Mike is a very driven, talented person. I learned a lot from being able to watch him and work with him for the four months I was on set.

Q What’s been the most challenging role of your career so far?

A I would say doing Charley Kringas in Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along,” in 2019. It was a dream come true to work with Steve. His music and lyrics are the most challenging because he is so good. A real genius of the last 100 years. Every song is a puzzle of humanity and music, and doing a show of his is like getting to sit with a nice long novel for the entire run of the show. You learn more and more about your character, and the story, each time you perform.

Q Were you excited to be coming back to the area to perform?

A Yes, so excited. I have performed a bit for private functions over the last few years, but to come back to the CLO is a dream. I’ve done three shows at the Benedum and was a minister and an apprentice to the music department. CLO is where I got my union card. So the place is very special. I even got to see many of the same talented professionals in the orchestra, costumes, sound design that I have known for years. It is a testament to the CLO that they are able to keep the best of the best around for years. It is always great to be home!