Starlight Express the Musical Wiki
No edit summary
Tags: Visual edit apiedit
No edit summary
(24 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
  +
  +
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rusty the Steam Engine}}
   
 
{{Infobox_character
 
{{Infobox_character
 
|name = Rusty
 
|name = Rusty
|image = file:B89 rusty.jpg
+
|image = file:Rusty b11 Marcel Brauneis.jpg
 
|caption1 = Marcel Brauneis, Bochum
|imagewidth = 250
 
|caption = Bernie Blanks as Rusty, Bochum 1989
+
|quote = Call me Rusty if you dare!
|quote = Call me Rusty if you Dare!
 
 
|Occupation = Steam Shunter
 
|Occupation = Steam Shunter
 
|Classification = Engine
 
|Classification = Engine
|male/female/fluid = Male
+
|Gender = Male
 
|Actor OLC = [[Ray Shell]]
 
|Actor OLC = [[Ray Shell]]
 
|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]]. The young steam engine, he has big dreams of winning the race and the heart of the beautiful [[Pearl]].
+
'''Rusty''' is a young steam engine and the main protagonist of [[1984 London production|Starlight Express]]. He has big dreams of winning the championship railroad 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.
+
Rusty is a steam [[wikipedia:Switcher|shunter engine]]; His job on the railway is to move the rolling stock and assemble trains, but he is not designed for high speeds or long distances.
   
 
==Personality==
 
==Personality==
Rusty is a sweet, timid, and naive 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.
+
Rusty is kind and ambitious, but he is also naive and stubborn, which is apparent when Pearl rejects him and he refuses to race without her. The freight trucks and coaches are fond of him, but don't believe he is capable of winning the 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 [[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]]".
+
In some productions, 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 lacking the self-confidence. In the [[1984 London production|original London]] production, he was portrayed angrier and more jaded, as shown in "[[Call Me Rusty]] (If You Dare)". Subsequent productions portray him as a more optimistic, cheerful character, as shown in "[[Engine of Love]]" and "[[Crazy]]".
   
==Appearance==
+
== Role ==
  +
Rusty is first seen leading the coaches onstage, where he is greeted by [[Greaseball]] and his [[Gang]]. They proceed to make fun of him, which leads him into "[[Call Me Rusty]]." Uninterested, Greaseball and the Gang depart, and Rusty is left behind with the coaches. They urge him not to race, in the interest of his own safety ("[[A Lotta Locomotion]]"), despite Pearl having previously agreed to race with him. Rusty appears again during "[[Freight]]", when he leads the freight trucks onstage.
   
  +
The next time Rusty appears is during "[[Coda Freight|Coda of Freight]]", where he asserts that he is going to enter the race and win. He then tries to convince the coaches of his abilities ("[[Crazy]]") in hopes of getting a partner.
[[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.
 
   
  +
In the original West End production, Pearl is left without a partner after "[[AC/DC]]". Rusty once again offers himself as her partner, but she refuses, stating that he can't whistle like the engine in her dreams.
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.
 
   
  +
Later, Rusty approaches Poppa ("[[Rusty Why You Looking Sad|Rusty, Why You Looking Sad]]"), who urges him to race, but Rusty insists that he won't race without Pearl. In the original West End production, Poppa eventually convinces Rusty to race with Belle in the second heat. Subsequent productions have Poppa racing with Dustin, and Rusty agreeing to take Poppa's place after he gets worn out. Rusty then prays to the Starlight Express to help him ("[[Starlight Express (song)|Starlight Express]]"), ending the first act.
=== 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 and rather than the "boiler plate" on his chest, he had the Starlight Express logo, making him unrecognisable with anyone at the train-yard.
 
   
  +
At the beginning of act two ("[[The Rap: Hey You!|The Rap]]") Rusty confirms his intention to race, complaining that Pearl would be his girlfriend if he won the championship, and [[Caboose|the Red Caboose]] agrees to race with him.
=== 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.
 
   
  +
Despite his assurances that he will help Rusty, Caboose betrays him during the uphill final by not taking off the breaks, causing Rusty to go slow. When the race is canceled, Rusty is unsure if he is going to race in the rerun. He is then visited by the Starlight Express itself, who explains that Rusty has had the power of the Starlight inside him all along ("[[Starlight Sequence]]").
=== 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.
 
   
  +
In the end, Rusty decides to race with Dustin against Greaseball with Pearl and [[Electra]] with Caboose. During the race, Greaseball uncouples Pearl at high speed, sending her careening off the edge of the track. Rusty allows himself to fall behind to save her. Luckily for Rusty, Caboose causes Greaseball and Electra to crash, allowing Rusty to take the lead and win the championship. Despite [[Control]]'s insistence that he take a lap of honor, Rusty disappears, insisting that he must find Pearl.
   
  +
Rusty finds Pearl, who now regrets abandoning him at the beginning of the races ("[[Only You]]", "[[Next Time You Fall In Love]]", or "[[I Do]]."). The two make up and share a kiss before they are surrounded by the rest of the cast for the end of the show ("[[Light at the End of the Tunnel|The Light At the End of the Tunnel]]", "[[Megamix]]").
   
==Role==
+
===Songs===
As the protagonist of the show, Rusty's role is always large, however over the years and different productions he has featured in a range of numbers.
+
As the protagonist of the show, Rusty's role is always large. However, over the years and in different productions, he has featured in a range of numbers.
   
 
'''Original London'''
 
'''Original London'''
*[[Call Me Rusty]] - with the coaches
+
*[[Call Me Rusty]] - with the Coaches
*Coda of Freight - Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
+
*[[Coda Freight|Coda of Freight]] - Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
 
*[[Starlight Express (song)|Starlight Express]] - Solo
 
*[[Starlight Express (song)|Starlight Express]] - Solo
*[[Starlight Sequence|I am the Starlight (Starlight Sequence)]] - with [[Poppa|The Starlight]]
+
*[[Starlight Sequence|I Am the Starlight (Starlight Sequence)]] - with [[Poppa|The Starlight]]
 
*[[Only You OLC|Only You]] - with Pearl.
 
*[[Only You OLC|Only You]] - with Pearl.
 
'''Revised London'''
 
'''Revised London'''
*Call Me Rusty - shortened version with the coaches
+
*Call Me Rusty - shortened version with the Coaches
 
*Coda of Freight - Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
 
*Coda of Freight - Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
*[[Crazy]] - with the coaches
+
*[[Crazy]] - with the Coaches
 
*Starlight Express - Solo
 
*Starlight Express - Solo
 
*Starlight Sequence - with the Starlight
 
*Starlight Sequence - with the Starlight
*[[Next Time You Fall In Love|Next time you fall in love]] - with Pearl.
+
*[[Next Time You Fall In Love]] - with Pearl.
 
'''Bochum'''
 
'''Bochum'''
*[[Engine of Love|Liebesexpress ]] (Love train (Engine of love)) - with the coaches
+
*Liebesexpress (German translation of [[Engine of Love]]) - with the Coaches
*Endlich kommt für mich die Zeit (Finally the time comes for me (Call Me Rusty)) - with the coaches
+
*Endlich kommt für mich die Zeit (German translation of Call Me Rusty) - with the Coaches
*Fracht Reprise (Freight Reprise (Coda of Freight))- Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
+
*Fracht Reprise (German translation of Coda of Freight)- Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
*Crazy - with the coaches (2002 onwards)
+
*Crazy - with the Coaches (2002 onward)
 
*Starlight Express - Solo
 
*Starlight Express - Solo
*Starlight Sequenz - with the Starlight
+
*Starlight Sequenz (German translation of Starlight Sequence) - with the Starlight
*Allein im licht der Sterne (Alone in the starlight (Next time you fall in love)) (2002 onwards) or [[Only You|Du Allein]] (You alone (Only You)) (until 2002) - with Pearl.
+
*Allein im licht der Sterne (German translation of Next Time You Fall In Love) (2002 onward) or Du Allein (German translation of [[Only You]]) (until 2002) - with Pearl.
 
'''Revised Bochum'''
 
'''Revised Bochum'''
*Fracht Reprise (Freight Reprise (Coda of Freight))- Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
+
*Fracht Reprise (German translation of Coda of Freight) - Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
*Crazy - with the coaches (2002 onwards)
+
*Crazy - with the Coaches (2002 onwards)
 
*Starlight Express - Solo
 
*Starlight Express - Solo
 
*Starlight Sequenz - with the Starlight
 
*Starlight Sequenz - with the Starlight
*[[Only You|Nur Mit Ihm]] - (Only With Him (Only He)) - With Pearl
+
*Nur Mit Ihm - (German translation of [[Only He]]) - With Pearl
*[[I Do|Für Immer]] - (I Do) - With Pearl
+
*Für Immer - (German translation of [[I Do]]) - With Pearl
 
'''UK/US tour'''
 
'''UK/US tour'''
 
*Coda of Freight - Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
 
*Coda of Freight - Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
*Crazy - with the coaches
+
*Crazy - with the Coaches
 
*Starlight Express - Solo
 
*Starlight Express - Solo
 
*Starlight Sequence - with the Starlight
 
*Starlight Sequence - with the Starlight
*Next time you fall in love(US and the early UK) or Only He (UK) - with Pearl.
+
*Next Time You Fall In Love(US and the early UK) or Only He (UK) - with Pearl.
*[[I Do]] - with Pearl
+
*I Do - with Pearl
 
'''Japan/Australia tour'''
 
'''Japan/Australia tour'''
*[[Engine of Love]] - with the coaches
+
*Engine of Love - with the Coaches
 
*Coda of Freight - Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
 
*Coda of Freight - Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
 
*Starlight Express - Solo
 
*Starlight Express - Solo
Line 86: Line 86:
   
   
== Gallery ==
+
==Appearance==
   
  +
[[File:Costume design.png|center|link=Rusty/Appearance]]
===London===
 
<gallery>
 
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
 
</gallery>
 
   
===Bochum===
 
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
B94 Engine of Love.jpg|Rusty and Coaches, Engine of Love, Bochum 1994
+
Rusty Design 1.jpg|Rusty - Broadway design 1987
B05 Rusty Caboose.jpg|Rusty racing with Red Caboose, Bochum 2005
+
Rusty Design 2.jpg|Rusty - Broadway design 1987
B00 Rusty Dustin.jpg|Rusty racing with Dustin, Bochum 2000
+
Rusty design 2018.jpg|Design from 2018
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 Alex 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
 
01 Rusty.jpg|[[Jeffrey Socia]] as Rusty
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
  +
===Other Productions===
 
  +
== Gallery ==
  +
  +
[[File:photo gallery.png|center|link=Rusty/Gallery]]
  +
  +
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
  +
Rusty L84 Ray Shell 1.jpg|London 1984
US87 Rusty Pearl Dinah.jpg|Rusty and Coaches, Broadway 1987
 
 
Rusty Rommel Singson.jpg|Bochum 2000
Us89 Engine of Love.jpg|Rusty and Coaches, US Tour 1989
 
  +
Rusty Nz09 Jamie Golding.jpg|New Zealand 2009
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
 
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>
 
</gallery>
   
 
==Cast==
 
==Cast==
'''London (1984-2002)'''
 
*[[Ray Shell]] (Original Rusty)
 
*[[Koffi Missah|Kofi Missah]]
 
*[[Bobby Collins]]
 
*[[Gary Cordice]]
 
*[[Michael Cahill]]
 
*[[Greg Ellis]]
 
*[[Paul Baker]]
 
*[[James Gillan]]
 
*[[Neil Couperthwaite]]
 
*[[Adrian Hansel]]
 
*[[Mark McGee]]
 
   
'''Broadway (1987)'''
 
*[[Greg Mowry]] 
 
'''Japan/Australia Tour (1987-1988)'''
 
*[[Bobby Collins]]
 
'''Bochum (1988-ongoing)'''
 
*[[Uwe Kroeger|Uwe Kroger]]
 
*[[Steven Michael Skeels]] 
 
*[[Bernie Blanks]] (1989 - 1990, 1992 - 1993, 2004 - 2006) 
 
*[[Colin Munro]]
 
*[[Mark Daye]]
 
*[[Ernest Marchain]]
 
*[[George Alex Livings]]
 
*[[Paul Whitaker]]
 
*[[Neil Couperthwaite]]
 
*[[Rommel Singson]]
 
*[[Jamie Golding]] (2001 - 2004, 2006 - 2008)
 
*[[Kevin Kohler|Kevin Köhler]] (2008 - 2011, 2014 - present)
 
*[[Marcel Brauneis]]
 
*[[Jeffrey Socia]]
 
   
 
'''London'''
'''US Tours (1989-1991, 2003-2004)'''
 
  +
{| class="article-table" style="width: 500px;"
*[[Sean McDermott]] (1st Tour)
 
  +
|-
*[[Franklyn Warfield]] (2nd Tour)
 
  +
|1984 - 1986 || [[Ray Shell]]
  +
|-
  +
|1986 - 1988 || [[Koffi Missah]]
  +
|-
  +
|1988 - 1989 || [[Bobby Collins]]
  +
|-
 
|1989 - 1991 || [[Gary Cordice]]
  +
|-
 
|1991 - 1992 || [[Michael Cahill]]
  +
|-
 
|1992 - 1994 || [[Greg Ellis]]
  +
|-
 
|1994 - 1997 || [[Paul Baker]]
  +
|-
 
|1997 - 1998 || [[James Gillan]]
  +
|-
 
|1998 - 1999 || [[Neil Couperthwaite]]
  +
|-
 
|1999 - 2001 || [[Adrian Hansel]]
  +
|-
 
|2001 - 2002 || [[Mark McGee]]
  +
|}
  +
 
'''Broadway'''
  +
{| class="article-table" style="width: 500px;"
  +
|-
 
|1987 - 1989 || [[Greg Mowry]]
  +
|}
  +
'''Japan / Australia Tours'''
  +
{| class="article-table" style="width: 500px;"
  +
|-
 
|1987 || [[Bobby Collins]]
  +
|-
 
|1990 || [[Bobby Collins]]
  +
|}
 
'''Bochum, Germany'''
  +
{| class="article-table" style="width: 500px;"
  +
|-
 
|1988 - 1989 || [[Steven Michael Skeels]]
  +
|-
  +
|1989 - 1990 || [[Bernie Blanks]]
  +
|-
  +
|1990 - 1991 || [[Kapa Kitchen]]
  +
|-
 
|1991 - 1992 || [[Colin Munro]]
  +
|-
 
|1992 - 1995 || [[Mark Daye]]
  +
|-
 
|1995 - 1996 || [[Ernest Marchain]]
  +
|-
 
|1996 - 1997 || [[George Alex Livings]]
  +
|-
 
|1997 - 1999 || [[Paul Whitaker]]
  +
|-
 
|1999 - 2000 || [[Neil Couperthwaite]]
  +
|-
 
|2000 - 2002 || [[Rommel Singson]]
  +
|-
 
|2002 - 2004 || [[Jamie Golding]]
  +
|-
  +
|2004 - 2005 || [[Bernie Blanks]] / [[Greg Castiglioni]]
  +
|-
  +
|2005 - 2008 || [[Jamie Golding]]
  +
|-
  +
|2008 - 2009 || [[Kevin Kohler]] / [[Jamie Golding]]
  +
|-
  +
|2009 - 2011 || [[Kevin Kohler]]
  +
|-
  +
|2011 - 2014 || [[Marcel Brauneis]]
  +
|-
  +
|2014 - 2016 || [[Kevin Kohler]]
  +
|-
 
|2016 - 2017 || [[Jeffrey Socia]]
  +
|-
  +
|2017 - 2018 || [[Michael Pickering]]
  +
|-
  +
|2018 - 2019 || [[Blake Patrick Anderson]]
  +
|-
  +
|2019 - 2020 || [[Markus Fetter]]
  +
|-
  +
|2020 - 2021 || [[Max Rizzo]] (Cancelled due to Covid)
  +
|-
  +
|2021 - 2022 || [[Max Rizzo]]
  +
|}
  +
 
'''US Tour 1989 - 1991'''
  +
{| class="article-table" style="width: 500px;"
  +
|-
  +
|1989 - 1991 || [[Sean McDermott]]
  +
|}
 
'''Las Vegas 1993 - 1997'''
  +
{| class="article-table" style="width: 500px;"
  +
|-
 
|1993 - 1994 || [[Steven Michael Skeels]]
  +
|-
  +
|1994 - 1995 || [[Freddie T]]
  +
|-
 
|1995 - 1996 || [[Greg Ellis]]
  +
|-
 
|1996 - 1997 || [[Ernest Marchain]]
  +
|}
 
'''US Tour 2003 - 2004'''
  +
{| class="article-table" style="width: 500px;"
  +
|-
 
|2003 - 2004 || [[Franklyn Warfield]]
  +
|}
 
'''UK Tours 2004 - 2008'''
  +
{| class="article-table" style="width: 500px;"
  +
|-
 
|2004 - 2005 || [[James Gillan]]
  +
|-
 
|2006 - 2007 || [[Oliver Rhoe Thornton]]
  +
|-
 
|2007 - 2008 || [[Kristofer Harding]]
  +
|}
 
'''NZ Tour 2009'''
  +
{| class="article-table" style="width: 500px;"
  +
|-
  +
|2009 || [[Jamie Golding]]
  +
|}
   
'''Japan Tour (1990)'''
+
'''UK Tour 2012-2013'''
  +
{| class="article-table" style="width: 500px;"
*[[Bobby Collins]]
 
  +
|-
'''Las Vegas (1993-1997)'''
 
 
|2012 - 2013 || [[Kristofer Harding]]
*[[Steven Michael Skeels]]
 
  +
|-
*[[Freddie T]]/Fred Tallaksen
 
  +
|Asia 2013 || [[Kristofer Harding]]
*[[Greg Ellis]]
 
  +
|}
*[[Ernest Marchain]]
 
 
[[Category:Characters]]
'''UK Tours (2004-2008, 2012-2013)'''
 
  +
[[Category:Engines]]
*[[James Gillan]]
 
*[[Oliver Rhoe Thornton]]
 
*[[Kristofer Harding]]
 
'''New Zealand Tour (2009)'''
 
*[[Jamie Golding]]
 
'''Asian Tour (2013)'''
 
*[[Kristofer Harding]]
 
[[Category:Characters]][[Category:Engines]]
 

Revision as of 13:11, 17 October 2021


Rusty is a young steam engine and the main protagonist of Starlight Express. He has big dreams of winning the championship railroad 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 and assemble trains, but he is not designed for high speeds or long distances.

Personality

Rusty is kind and ambitious, but he is also naive and stubborn, which is apparent when Pearl rejects him and he refuses to race without her. The freight trucks and coaches are fond of him, but don't believe he is capable of winning the 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.

In some productions, 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 lacking the self-confidence. In the original London production, he was portrayed angrier and more jaded, as shown in "Call Me Rusty (If You Dare)". Subsequent productions portray him as a more optimistic, cheerful character, as shown in "Engine of Love" and "Crazy".

Role

Rusty is first seen leading the coaches onstage, where he is greeted by Greaseball and his Gang. They proceed to make fun of him, which leads him into "Call Me Rusty." Uninterested, Greaseball and the Gang depart, and Rusty is left behind with the coaches. They urge him not to race, in the interest of his own safety ("A Lotta Locomotion"), despite Pearl having previously agreed to race with him. Rusty appears again during "Freight", when he leads the freight trucks onstage.

The next time Rusty appears is during "Coda of Freight", where he asserts that he is going to enter the race and win. He then tries to convince the coaches of his abilities ("Crazy") in hopes of getting a partner.

In the original West End production, Pearl is left without a partner after "AC/DC". Rusty once again offers himself as her partner, but she refuses, stating that he can't whistle like the engine in her dreams.

Later, Rusty approaches Poppa ("Rusty, Why You Looking Sad"), who urges him to race, but Rusty insists that he won't race without Pearl. In the original West End production, Poppa eventually convinces Rusty to race with Belle in the second heat. Subsequent productions have Poppa racing with Dustin, and Rusty agreeing to take Poppa's place after he gets worn out. Rusty then prays to the Starlight Express to help him ("Starlight Express"), ending the first act.

At the beginning of act two ("The Rap") Rusty confirms his intention to race, complaining that Pearl would be his girlfriend if he won the championship, and the Red Caboose agrees to race with him.

Despite his assurances that he will help Rusty, Caboose betrays him during the uphill final by not taking off the breaks, causing Rusty to go slow. When the race is canceled, Rusty is unsure if he is going to race in the rerun. He is then visited by the Starlight Express itself, who explains that Rusty has had the power of the Starlight inside him all along ("Starlight Sequence").

In the end, Rusty decides to race with Dustin against Greaseball with Pearl and Electra with Caboose. During the race, Greaseball uncouples Pearl at high speed, sending her careening off the edge of the track. Rusty allows himself to fall behind to save her. Luckily for Rusty, Caboose causes Greaseball and Electra to crash, allowing Rusty to take the lead and win the championship. Despite Control's insistence that he take a lap of honor, Rusty disappears, insisting that he must find Pearl.

Rusty finds Pearl, who now regrets abandoning him at the beginning of the races ("Only You", "Next Time You Fall In Love", or "I Do."). The two make up and share a kiss before they are surrounded by the rest of the cast for the end of the show ("The Light At the End of the Tunnel", "Megamix").

Songs

As the protagonist of the show, Rusty's role is always large. However, over the years and in different productions, he has featured in a range of numbers.

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 (German translation of Engine of Love) - with the Coaches
  • Endlich kommt für mich die Zeit (German translation of Call Me Rusty) - with the Coaches
  • Fracht Reprise (German translation of Coda of Freight)- Chorus, in which he takes lead solo
  • Crazy - with the Coaches (2002 onward)
  • Starlight Express - Solo
  • Starlight Sequenz (German translation of Starlight Sequence) - with the Starlight
  • Allein im licht der Sterne (German translation of Next Time You Fall In Love) (2002 onward) or Du Allein (German translation of Only You) (until 2002) - with Pearl.

Revised Bochum

  • Fracht Reprise (German translation of 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 - (German translation of Only He) - With Pearl
  • Für Immer - (German translation of 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.


Appearance

Costume design


Gallery

Photo gallery


Cast

London

1984 - 1986 Ray Shell
1986 - 1988 Koffi Missah
1988 - 1989 Bobby Collins
1989 - 1991 Gary Cordice
1991 - 1992 Michael Cahill
1992 - 1994 Greg Ellis
1994 - 1997 Paul Baker
1997 - 1998 James Gillan
1998 - 1999 Neil Couperthwaite
1999 - 2001 Adrian Hansel
2001 - 2002 Mark McGee

Broadway

1987 - 1989 Greg Mowry

Japan / Australia Tours

1987 Bobby Collins
1990 Bobby Collins

Bochum, Germany

1988 - 1989 Steven Michael Skeels
1989 - 1990 Bernie Blanks
1990 - 1991 Kapa Kitchen
1991 - 1992 Colin Munro
1992 - 1995 Mark Daye
1995 - 1996 Ernest Marchain
1996 - 1997 George Alex Livings
1997 - 1999 Paul Whitaker
1999 - 2000 Neil Couperthwaite
2000 - 2002 Rommel Singson
2002 - 2004 Jamie Golding
2004 - 2005 Bernie Blanks / Greg Castiglioni
2005 - 2008 Jamie Golding
2008 - 2009 Kevin Kohler / Jamie Golding
2009 - 2011 Kevin Kohler
2011 - 2014 Marcel Brauneis
2014 - 2016 Kevin Kohler
2016 - 2017 Jeffrey Socia
2017 - 2018 Michael Pickering
2018 - 2019 Blake Patrick Anderson
2019 - 2020 Markus Fetter
2020 - 2021 Max Rizzo (Cancelled due to Covid)
2021 - 2022 Max Rizzo

US Tour 1989 - 1991

1989 - 1991 Sean McDermott

Las Vegas 1993 - 1997

1993 - 1994 Steven Michael Skeels
1994 - 1995 Freddie T
1995 - 1996 Greg Ellis
1996 - 1997 Ernest Marchain

US Tour 2003 - 2004

2003 - 2004 Franklyn Warfield

UK Tours 2004 - 2008

2004 - 2005 James Gillan
2006 - 2007 Oliver Rhoe Thornton
2007 - 2008 Kristofer Harding

NZ Tour 2009

2009 Jamie Golding

UK Tour 2012-2013

2012 - 2013 Kristofer Harding
Asia 2013 Kristofer Harding