I first remember Tracey when her album You Broke My Heart In 17 Places hit the scene back in 1984. I always enjoyed her Letterman appearances but didn't become interested in her until the launch of her FOX series in 1987.
< Me as Soapy, the street urchin in "Soapy Goes To College"
Like many children of the 60s spending their Sunday Nights with Ed Sullivan, I was a child of the 80s who spent my Sunday Night with Tracey Ullman. During college, I always tuned into "The Tracey Ullman Show" as a "one last treat" before I braved my week of lecture halls and labs. By the 2nd episode, I was mightily impressed with this rubber faced woman and started taping her show on a weekly basis. I had never seen a character actor who had such innate skills in capturing the identities of people we see in everyday life. Beyond that, she was one helluva singer and dancer. "The Tracey Ullman Show" was a television program that could not be labeled. It wasn't a variety show. It wasn't a sitcom. It had funky titles and a George Clinton tune to beat. Unlike other sketch shows, "The Tracey Ullman Show" was filmed, not taped. And many of the scenes were shot like films with realistic lighting and imaginative camerawork. Tracey also had some of the hottest writers around.
Me as Carmine Pilletti in "Barber Creek Breakaway" >
In 1987 in my 1st year of Film School at the University Of British Columbia, I decided to try and make short films in the same vein as the "TUS" sketches. My first film called "The Lonely Schlep" was a 7 minute musical about a nerdy Brooklyn teen who roams the streets aimlessly with a stuffed dog in search of friendship. With the hope that he may be accepted to the local gang, "The Lonely Schlep" robs the local merchant and hands the money over to the gang who knock him out. What follows is a big singing and dancing musical number where "Schlep" experiences renewed spirit and hope that guides him after he regains consciousness. I was honored with 3rd prize at the BC Student Film Festival and a placement with the Montreal Film Festival in 1988.
< Me as Agustin Magaldi in "Evita"
In 1989, I embarked on an even more ambitious venture with the 25 minute film, "Barber Creek Breakaway". It was a love story between a tough Italian American and a Canadian Ingenue who, to the dismay of the local townsfolk, hopelessly fall in love in Barber Creek, Saskatchewan . With copyright permission I used the Tracey Ullman song, "Breakaway" in the big musical sequence. I was thrilled to have the film accepted at both the Chicago Film Festival and the Yorkton Short Film Festival. By the way, being the conceited dope I am, I gave myself the lead in both films. I never made a film after that and have since focused solely on acting in musical productions such as Caiaphas in "JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR", Narrator in "JOSEPH AND HIS AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT" and Agustin Magaldi in "EVITA".
I've never been a fan worshiper but Tracey Ullman profoundly affected my life during those stressful college years. I always look forward to seeing her in new ventures and hope that someday she will find the vehicle to truly show off her versatility. I launched this page as a tribute, an information site and a homebase for other Ullman fans to meet and celebrate her. I hope you have found your visit a worthwhile experience.
Andrew Mitchell
And now my 4 year old has become a fan too! Have a listen.....
