Warwick resident Sean McGuirk has an extensive résumé of leading roles in the theatre. He co-starred with Juliet Prowsw in “Mame,” Lou Diamond Philips in “A Few Good Men” and was featured in “The Man of No Importance” in Boston and at New York’s Lincoln Center.
You can catch him as Wilber Turnblad in “Hairspray,” coming July 22 to Theatre-by-the-Sea.
McGuirk toured the country in “Shenandoah,” one of his favorite roles.
“I loved the play, and I loved the role,” McGuirk said from his home in Warwick. “We were like one big family. And that’s the way I feel about Theatre-by-the-Sea, where I did the play back in 1978.”
McGuirk will also be part of the tribute to the late Tommy Brent on July 24 at the Matunuck playhouse.
“I auditioned for Tommy back in the early ’70s in New York City,” Sean said. “He never looked up.”
He didn’t get the part, but Brent caught him years later in “Shenandoah” and signed him for the part. They were friends ever since.
Sean is originally from the Boston/Stoughton area and has traveled and lived all over the country before settling in Warwick four years ago.
“My wife’s family is from here, and I love the state,” he said.
He got the bug for acting in high school when he got the lead in “Carousel.”
“I went to UMass and majored in hotel and restaurant management. I managed night clubs, sang in a band, and then decided that wasn’t the life for me, so I seriously turned to acting.”
His career has been a huge success, with leading roles in New York, L.A. and a variety of theatre companies across America, including a long run as actor and director in Granberry, Texas.
“I also had fun entertaining on cruise ships,” he said. “My wife is also in the business, and we both auditioned for a cruise ship to Hawaii. I got hired; she didn’t. We didn’t go. My wife was hired for a Bermuda cruise. She went.”
Sean is enjoying being home and commuting to Matunuck, where rehearsals are now rapping up.
“I remember seeing a production years ago at TBTS and saying, ‘Some day I’m going to work at this theatre.’ Well, my dream has come true.”
“Hairspray” runs July 22 through Aug. 13. For reservations call the box office at 782-8587.
