Tom Wopat chat

Following today's live chat, Wopat will sing the national anthem at Oriole's Opening Day.

JoAnn, Pasadena, Md.: How does live theatre compare with a weekly TV series?

Tom Wopat: Well JoAnn, it is 100 percent different. On a TV series you spend the whole day there five days a week and work in little fits and starts. On the stage, you may only be there for four or five hours, but you have to stay really focused and maintain your character and there's no cuts on stage. You need to keep going no matter what.

Peggy, Baltimore: I saw you on Broadway in "City of Angels" and I was blown away! I hadn't known about your theater background until then (I was a crazy pre-teen "Dukes" fan). What has been your favorite on-stage production to date? And of all the entertaining you do (CDs, movies, TV, stage) what do you enjoy the most?

Tom Wopat: My favorite so far is "Annie Get Your Gun," just because I was in it from the very inception of the production. Bernadette Peters was the best. These songs are the best. It's amazing. As far as pure artistic satisfaction, I have a new album out, "The Still of the Night," it's kind of like a Sinatra record and performing that music has been a real gas.

Darlene, New Brunswick, Canada: You are having an amazing career as both a singer and an actor. Is there anything you would have done differently if you could go back and change it?

Tom Wopat: First of all, you can't go back. I think I might have enjoyed doing some feature films, but I still have hopes of doing that.

Gloria, Houston: Do you have any plans to do another Broadway show after you are done with "Annie Get Your Gun"?

Tom Wopat: Absolutely. I've talked about doing "Pajama Game." I've been approached about going into the production of "Chicago." I think in a year or two, "South Pacific" is going to come to Broadway. I think in the right situation, that might work.

Jane, Columbia: I heard a rumor that you will be performing songs from your new album, "In the Still of the Night", in June at the Columbia Festival of the Arts. Is this true?

Tom Wopat: Yes. We do material off the album and I do a couple songs from "Annie Get Your Gun" and a couple of other little surprises. It's a nice show.

Tammie, Johnson City, Tenn.: Tom, if you had a chance to pick any play to be in, which one would it be and why?

Tom Wopat: At this point, one show that I'd really like to do is "Sweeney Todd" because of the music and because of the intensity of the drama.

Carol, Kentwood, Mich.: What was your most embarassing moment in your professional life?

Tom Wopat: Why would I tell you? There have been quite a few. The last time I did the star Spangled Banner at a ball field was at Yankee Stadium and I forgot some of the words. Not many, but enough to feel like an idiot. It was the first time I had forgotten any.

Peggy, Niles, Mich.: I realize traveling in a show has its difficulties. Is there one thing you can list as being a positive to traveling from city to city?

Tom Wopat: Actually, the ability to sit down in a city for a week or two is pretty nice. When I used to travel with the country band we'd go to a town, but it would only be for a day or two. This tour, I've especially enjoyed Boston, Denver, Seattle and San Diego.

Krysstie, Baltimore: What was the motivation/ inspiration behind releasing a CD?

Tom Wopat: The A and R guy from "Angel" approached me with the idea when we were making the cast album of "Annie Get Your Gun." Ever since I did "City of Angels," I've thought this type of album was a possibility. I'm just really proud of the way it turned out.

Kay, Syracuse, N.Y.: How many marriage proposals do you get in a year?

Tom Wopat: None.

Carla, Dearborn, Mich.: I know you directed episodes of "Dukes;" would you direct again if you had the chance?

Tom Wopat: Oh, absolutely. One thing that I thought about doing when I get the time is to come up with an independent film project that I can direct and be second or third billing in.

Debbie, Rochester, N.Y.: Where can you be seen after finishing the "AGYG" tour? Any plans to speak of?

Tom Wopat: I will be back on Broadway later in the summer. Either back in "AGYG" or in "Chicago" as Billy Flynn.

Alice, Tiffin, Ohio: When it is all said and done, what would you like fans to remember about you?

Tom Wopat: I guess that I was a good entertainer. That I was good at whatever I did and that singing was what I did best. I'm sure Luke will be there, though.

Tom Wopat: I want to thank everyone for participating. Come and check out the show and make sure you give the album a listen. If you haven't heard it, you'll like it.