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(Can we put Amateur info on the Amateur productions page please? With a little more info about your show, where and when would be good!)
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{{Infobox_character
  
{{Infobox_character
 
|name = Rusty
  
|name = Rusty
−
|image = file:B04_09.jpg
 +
|image = file:B89 rusty.jpg
 
|imagewidth = 250
  
|imagewidth = 250
 
|caption = Bernie Blanks as Rusty, Bochum 2004
  
|caption = Bernie Blanks as Rusty, Bochum 2004
Line 12: Line 12:
 
|Actor OBC = Greg Mowry
  
|Actor OBC = Greg Mowry
 
|Actor OGC = Steven Michael Skeels}}
  
|Actor OGC = Steven Michael Skeels}}
−
'''Rusty''' is the main protagonist of [[1984 London production|Starlight Express]].
 +
'''Rusty''' is the main protagonist of [[1984 London production|Starlight Express]]. The young steam engine, he has big dreams of winning the race and the heart of the beautiful [[Pearl]].
   
  +
Rusty is a steam [[wikipedia:Switcher|shunter engine]] - his job on the railway is to move the rolling stock, assemble trains, but he is not designed for high speeds or long distances.
−
==Profile==
  
   
  +
==Personality==
−
"Rusty is the steam train delegated to the sidings. His only friends are [[Dustin]], [[Flattop|Flat-Top]] and, occasionally, [[Rockies|the Rockies]]. His dream is to win the championship race and win the heart of an observation car named [[Pearl]]. But [[Greaseball|the diesel]] and [[Electra|the electric]] say he doesn't have what it takes. So he relies on [[Poppa]], the old steamer, and the midnight train, the Starlight Express to win."
  
  ⚫
Rusty is a sweet, timid, and innocent steam train. He is also easily provoked, which is shown when Pearl rejects him and he refuses to race without her. The freight trucks and the carriages are fond of him, but don't believe he has the ability to race. He has big ideas of who he is and who he wants to be, but he is left heart-broken when everyone, especially Pearl, ridicules him.
−
==Character Interpretation==
  
⚫
Rusty is a sweet, timid, and innocent steam train. He is also easily provoked, which is shown when Pearl rejects him and he refuses to race without her. His only friends in the trainyard are Flat-Top the Brick Truck and Dustin the Big Hopper. He has big ideas of who he is and who he wants to be, but he is left heart-brokened when everyone, especially Pearl, ridicules him.
  
   
−
Sometimes, he is portrayed as a hopeless dreamer, far inferior to his more advanced competitors. Other actors portray him as having the potential to become champion, but he lacks the self-confidence. The original London production saw him as a much more angrier character, as shown in "Call Me Rusty (If You Dare)". However, subsequent productions portray as a more optimistic, cheerful character, as shown in "Engine of Love" and "Crazy".
 +
Sometimes, he is portrayed as a hopeless dreamer, far inferior to his more advanced competitors. Other actors portray him as having the potential to become champion, but he lacks the self-confidence. The [[1984 London production|original London]] production saw him as a much more angrier character, as shown in "[[Call Me Rusty]] (If You Dare)". However, subsequent productions portray as a more optimistic, cheerful character, as shown in "[[Engine of Love]]" and "[[Crazy]]".
   
−
==Music numbers==
 +
==Appearance==
  +
  ⚫
[[File:D rusty.jpg|thumb|283x283px|left|Rusty - Broadway design 1987]]In the original London production, Rusty's costume was based on a stoker's dungarees and hat, with an open boiler on his chest and a coal tender on his back. He has pressure gauges on both doors, and his overalls are striped behind a decoration of black and brown.
  +
  ⚫
Originally, he had a round hat with a chinstrap, but this was removed for a cap during the 1992 revamp. He also has wheels on his kneeguards as well as on his thighs and wrists.
  +
  +
=== Broadway ===
  ⚫
[[File:Us87 finale.jpg|thumb|220x220px|Rusty - far left, in shiny, non-rusty costume]]When the musical went to Broadway, Rusty's costume was significantly redesigned. This time, he was red and black with riveted patches rather than striped overalls. The hat came off in favor of a sweatband, and his kneeguards were emblazened with the numbers 0503. The dungarees became bigger and railings were placed at the ends. He also had knitted warmers on his wrists. Since Broadway, this costume has been used in all subsequent productions.
  ⚫
Interestingly, during the first half of the musical's Broadway run, Rusty not only had his Broadway costume, but after the Starlight Sequence, he had another costume that was of himself no longer rusty. It was pretty much the same design, but only all black and silver, making him unrecognisable with anyone at the train-yard.
  +
  +
=== Starlight On Ice ===
  +
[[File:Ice97 Rusty Dinah 2.jpg|left|thumb|220x220px|Starlight On Ice Rusty and Dinah]]
  ⚫
The short-lived Starlight On Ice production saw a complete redesign of Rusty's costume. He wore yellow and blue striped overalls over a red shirt. He had a large metal circle at front to represent a boiler, and he also wore a baseball backwards. This costume made him resemble that of the Haribo Kid.
  +
  ⚫
=== Make-Up ===
  ⚫
Rusty's make-up is generally relatively simple. Usually it consists of brown shadow under the eyebrows, and brown eyeliner on his eyes. He also has two crosses on his cheeks, and five painted rivets along his chin, with a single rivet on his nose. Recent productions gave him neon orange lipgloss for his lips and glittery orange powder on his cheeks.
  +
  +
  +
  +
==Role==
   
 
'''Original London'''
  
'''Original London'''
Line 66: Line 84:
 
*Only You - with Pearl.
  
*Only You - with Pearl.
   
−
==Costume==
  
   
  +
== Gallery ==
⚫
In the original London production, Rusty's costume was based on a stoker's dungarees and hat, with an open boiler on his chest and a coal tender on his back. He has pressure gauges on both doors, and his overalls are striped behind a decoration of black and brown.
  
   
⚫
Originally, he had a round hat with a chinstrap, but this was removed for a cap during the 1992 revamp. He also has wheels on his kneeguards as well as on his thighs and wrists.
  
   
  ⚫
<gallery>
⚫
When the musical went to Broadway, Rusty's costume was significantly redesigned. This time, he was red and black with riveted patches rather than striped overalls. The hat came off in favor of a sweatband, and his kneeguards were emblazened with the numbers 0503. The dungarees became bigger and railings were placed at the ends. He also had knitted warmers on his wrists. Since Broadway, this costume has been used in all subsequent productions.
  
  +
L84 Rusty Coaches.jpg|Original Cast - Rusty and Coaches
  ⚫
L84 Heat 2.jpg|Original Cast - Rusty racing with Belle in heat 2
  +
L84 The Rap GB Electra Rusty.jpg|Original Cast - The Rap
  +
L84 Rusty Pearl Only You.jpg|Original Cast - Rusty approaches Pearl after racing, "Only You"
  +
Rusty Pearl April 1985 Ray Shell 2.jpg|Ray Shell as Rusty, 1985
  +
L91 Engines.jpg|Rusty and Engines, London 1991
  ⚫
L99 Rusty Poppa.jpg|Adrian Hansel as Rusty and Poppa, London 1999
  +
L02 final bows 1.jpg|Mark McGee as Rusty, final bows 2002
   
⚫
Interestingly, during the first half of the musical's Broadway run, Rusty not only had his Broadway costume, but after the Starlight Sequence, he had another costume that was of himself no longer rusty. It was pretty much the same design, but only all black and silver, making him unrecognisable with anyone at the train-yard.
  
   
  +
B94 Engine of Love.jpg|Rusty and Coaches, Engine of Love, Bochum 1994
⚫
The short-lived Starlight On Ice production saw a complete redesign of Rusty's costume. He wore yellow and blue striped overalls over a red shirt. He had a large metal circle at front to represent a boiler, and he also wore a baseball backwards. This costume made him resemble that of the Haribo Kid.
  
  +
B05 Rusty Caboose.jpg|Rusty racing with Red Caboose, Bochum 2005
  +
B00 Rusty Dustin.jpg|Rusty racing with Dustin, Bochum 2000
  +
B02 Pearl Rusty.jpg|Rusty and Pearl, Bochum 2002
  +
B93 Rusty Mark Daye.jpg|Mark Daye as Rusty
  +
Rusty George Alex Livings AC.jpg|George Livings as Rusty
  +
Rusty Rommel Singson.jpg|Rommel Singson as Rusty
  ⚫
Bernie Blanks RUSTY.jpg|Bernie Blanks as Rusty
  +
B 97 Rusty Paul Whitaker.jpg|Paul Whitaker as Rusty
  +
B04 Rusty Bernie Blanks.jpg|Bernie Blanks as Rusty
   
⚫
<gallery>
  
⚫
L84_37.jpg|Rusty racing with Belle, London 1984
  
−
L84_39.jpg|Ray Shell, London 1984
  
−
L84_13.jpg|Ray Shell, London 1984
  
⚫
Bernie Blanks RUSTY.jpg|Bernie Blanks, Bochum
  
−
Us89_05.jpg|Sean McDermott, US Tour 1989
  
⚫
J90_52.jpg|Bobby Collins, Japan tour 1990
  
−
1 (3).jpg|Rusty and Dinah, Starlight "On Ice", 1997
  
⚫
L99_05.jpg|Adrian Hansel, London 1999
  
−
B02_16.jpg|Jamie Golding, Bochum 2002
  
⚫
Uk12_27.jpg|Kristofer Harding, UK Tour 2012
  
⚫
10900326084 64af2634db z.jpg|Kristofer Harding, Hong Kong 2013
  
−
1380910010-starlight-express-opens-its-asian-tour-in-hong-kong 2864415.jpg|Kristofer Harding, Hong Kong 2013
  
⚫
</gallery>
  
   
  +
US87 Rusty Pearl Dinah.jpg|Rusty and Coaches, Broadway 1987
⚫
==Make-Up==
  
  +
Us89 Engine of Love.jpg|Rusty and Coaches, US Tour 1989
  ⚫
J90 Rusty Pearl.jpg|Rusty and Pearl, Japan tour 1990
  +
Mex97 Rusty Coaches.jpg|Rusty and Coaches, Mexico 1997
   
  +
Uk12 sg.jpg|UK Tour poster
⚫
Rusty's make-up is generally relatively simple. Usually it consists of brown shadow under the eyebrows, and brown eyeliner on his eyes. He also has two crosses on his cheeks, and five painted rivets along his chin, with a single rivet on his nose. Recent productions gave him neon orange lipgloss for his lips and glittery orange powder on his cheeks.
  
  ⚫
Uk12 Rusty Pearl.jpg|Kristofer Harding as Rusty, UK Tour 2012
  ⚫
UK13 Hong Kong Rusty Coaches.jpg|Kristofer Harding as Rusty, Hong Kong 2013
  +
UK13 Singapore Electra Pearl Rusty.jpg|Kristofer Harding as Rusty, Singapore 2013
  ⚫
</gallery>
   
−
==Actors==
 +
==Cast==
 
'''London (1984-2002)'''
  
'''London (1984-2002)'''
−
*Ray Shell (Original Rusty)
 +
*[[Ray Shell]] (Original Rusty)
−
*Kofi Missah
 +
*[[Koffi Missah|Kofi Missah]]
−
*Bobby Collins
 +
*[[Bobby Collins]]
−
*Gary Cordice
 +
*[[Gary Cordice]]
−
*Michael Cahill
 +
*[[Michael Cahill]]
−
*Greg Ellis
 +
*[[Greg Ellis]]
−
*Paul Baker
 +
*[[Paul Baker]]
−
*James Gillian
 +
*[[James Gillan]]
−
*Neil Couperthwaite
 +
*[[Neil Couperthwaite]]
−
*Adrian Hansel
 +
*[[Adrian Hansel]]
−
*Mark McGee
 +
*[[Mark McGee]]
   
 
'''Broadway (1987)'''
  
'''Broadway (1987)'''
−
*Greg Mowry 
 +
*[[Greg Mowry]] 
 
'''Japan/Australia Tour (1987-1988)'''
  
'''Japan/Australia Tour (1987-1988)'''
−
*Bobby Collins
 +
*[[Bobby Collins]]
 
'''Bochum (1988-ongoing)'''
  
'''Bochum (1988-ongoing)'''
−
*Uwe Kroger
 +
*[[Uwe Kroeger|Uwe Kroger]]
−
*Steven Michael Skeels 
 +
*[[Steven Michael Skeels]] 
−
*Bernie Blanks (1989 - 1990, 1992 - 1993, 2004 - 2006) 
 +
*[[Bernie Blanks]] (1989 - 1990, 1992 - 1993, 2004 - 2006) 
−
*Colin Munro
 +
*[[Colin Munro]]
−
*Mark Daye
 +
*[[Mark Daye]]
−
*Ernest Marchain
 +
*[[Ernest Marchain]]
−
*George Alex Livings
 +
*[[George Alex Livings]]
−
*Paul Whitaker
 +
*[[Paul Whitaker]]
−
*Neil Couperthwaite
 +
*[[Neil Couperthwaite]]
−
*Rommel Singson
 +
*[[Rommel Singson]]
−
*Jamie Golding (2001 - 2004, 2006 - 2008)
 +
*[[Jamie Golding]] (2001 - 2004, 2006 - 2008)
−
*Kevin Köhler (2008 - 2011, 2014 - present)
 +
*[[Kevin Kohler|Kevin Köhler]] (2008 - 2011, 2014 - present)
−
*Marcel Brauneis
 +
*[[Marcel Brauneis]]
   
 
'''US Tours (1989-1991, 2003-2004)'''
  
'''US Tours (1989-1991, 2003-2004)'''
−
*Sean McDermott (1st Tour)
 +
*[[Sean McDermott]] (1st Tour)
−
*Franklyn Warfield (2nd Tour)
 +
*[[Franklyn Warfield]] (2nd Tour)
   
 
'''Japan Tour (1990)'''
  
'''Japan Tour (1990)'''
−
*Bobby Collins
 +
*[[Bobby Collins]]
 
'''Las Vegas (1993-1997)'''
  
'''Las Vegas (1993-1997)'''
−
*Steven Michael Skeels
 +
*[[Steven Michael Skeels]]
−
*Freddie T
 +
*[[Freddie T]]
−
*Greg Ellis
 +
*[[Greg Ellis]]
−
*Ernest Marchain
 +
*[[Ernest Marchain]]
 
'''UK Tours (2004-2008, 2012-2013)'''
  
'''UK Tours (2004-2008, 2012-2013)'''
−
*James Gillan
 +
*[[James Gillan]]
−
*Oliver Rhoe Thornton
 +
*[[Oliver Rhoe Thornton]]
−
*Kristofer Harding
 +
*[[Kristofer Harding]]
 
'''New Zealand Tour (2009)'''
  
'''New Zealand Tour (2009)'''
−
*Jamie Golding
 +
*[[Jamie Golding]]
 
'''Asian Tour (2013)'''
  
'''Asian Tour (2013)'''
−
*Kristofer Harding
 +
*[[Kristofer Harding]]
  +
[[Category:Characters]][[Category:Engines]]
−  
−
==Controversy ==
  
−
When the original London production opened to the public, there was some controversy regarding apparent racism within the musical itself. Critics said that, with racism against blacks were common at that time, Rusty and the Rockies, who at that time were played by black actors, were being tormented by Greaseball, who was white. However, this made little sense as Electra, who was also Rusty's tormentor, was also black.[[Category:Characters]][[Category:Engines]]
  

Revision as of 13:38, 9 June 2015

Rusty is the main protagonist of Starlight Express. The young steam engine, he has big dreams of winning the race and the heart of the beautiful Pearl.

Rusty is a steam shunter engine - his job on the railway is to move the rolling stock, assemble trains, but he is not designed for high speeds or long distances.

Personality

Rusty is a sweet, timid, and innocent steam train. He is also easily provoked, which is shown when Pearl rejects him and he refuses to race without her. The freight trucks and the carriages are fond of him, but don't believe he has the ability to race. He has big ideas of who he is and who he wants to be, but he is left heart-broken when everyone, especially Pearl, ridicules him.

Sometimes, he is portrayed as a hopeless dreamer, far inferior to his more advanced competitors. Other actors portray him as having the potential to become champion, but he lacks the self-confidence. The original London production saw him as a much more angrier character, as shown in "Call Me Rusty (If You Dare)". However, subsequent productions portray as a more optimistic, cheerful character, as shown in "Engine of Love" and "Crazy".

Appearance

File:D rusty.jpg

Rusty - Broadway design 1987

In the original London production, Rusty's costume was based on a stoker's dungarees and hat, with an open boiler on his chest and a coal tender on his back. He has pressure gauges on both doors, and his overalls are striped behind a decoration of black and brown.

Originally, he had a round hat with a chinstrap, but this was removed for a cap during the 1992 revamp. He also has wheels on his kneeguards as well as on his thighs and wrists.

Broadway

File:Us87 finale.jpg

Rusty - far left, in shiny, non-rusty costume

When the musical went to Broadway, Rusty's costume was significantly redesigned. This time, he was red and black with riveted patches rather than striped overalls. The hat came off in favor of a sweatband, and his kneeguards were emblazened with the numbers 0503. The dungarees became bigger and railings were placed at the ends. He also had knitted warmers on his wrists. Since Broadway, this costume has been used in all subsequent productions.

Interestingly, during the first half of the musical's Broadway run, Rusty not only had his Broadway costume, but after the Starlight Sequence, he had another costume that was of himself no longer rusty. It was pretty much the same design, but only all black and silver, making him unrecognisable with anyone at the train-yard.

Starlight On Ice

Ice97 Rusty Dinah 2

Starlight On Ice Rusty and Dinah

The short-lived Starlight On Ice production saw a complete redesign of Rusty's costume. He wore yellow and blue striped overalls over a red shirt. He had a large metal circle at front to represent a boiler, and he also wore a baseball backwards. This costume made him resemble that of the Haribo Kid.

Make-Up

Rusty's make-up is generally relatively simple. Usually it consists of brown shadow under the eyebrows, and brown eyeliner on his eyes. He also has two crosses on his cheeks, and five painted rivets along his chin, with a single rivet on his nose. Recent productions gave him neon orange lipgloss for his lips and glittery orange powder on his cheeks.


Role

Original London

Revised London

  • Call Me Rusty - shortened version with the coaches
  • Coda of Freight - Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
  • Crazy - with the coaches
  • Starlight Express - Solo
  • Starlight Sequence - with the Starlight
  • Next time you fall in love - with Pearl.

Bochum

  • Liebesexpress (Love train (Engine of love)) - with the coaches
  • Endlich kommt für mich die Zeit (Finally the time comes for me (Call Me Rusty)) - with the coaches
  • Fracht Reprise (Freight Reprise (Coda of Freight))- Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
  • Crazy - with the coaches (2002 onwards)
  • Starlight Express - Solo
  • Starlight Sequenz - with the Starlight
  • Allein im licht der Sterne (Alone in the starlight (Next time you fall in love)) (2002 onwards) or Du Allein (You alone (Only You)) (until 2002) - with Pearl.

Revised Bochum

  • Fracht Reprise (Freight Reprise (Coda of Freight))- Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
  • Crazy - with the coaches (2002 onwards)
  • Starlight Express - Solo
  • Starlight Sequenz - with the Starlight
  • Nur Mit Ihm - (Only With Him (Only He)) - With Pearl
  • Für Immer - (I Do) - With Pearl

UK/US tour

  • Coda of Freight - Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
  • Crazy - with the coaches
  • Starlight Express - Solo
  • Starlight Sequence - with the Starlight
  • Next time you fall in love(US and the early UK) or Only He (UK) - with Pearl.
  • I Do - with Pearl

Japan/Australia tour

  • Engine of Love - with the coaches
  • Coda of Freight - Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
  • Starlight Express - Solo
  • Starlight Sequence - with the Starlight
  • Only You - with Pearl.


Gallery

Cast

London (1984-2002)

Broadway (1987)

Japan/Australia Tour (1987-1988)

Bochum (1988-ongoing)

US Tours (1989-1991, 2003-2004)

Japan Tour (1990)

Las Vegas (1993-1997)

UK Tours (2004-2008, 2012-2013)

New Zealand Tour (2009)

Asian Tour (2013)

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