We had the good fortune of connecting with Gary B, Lamb and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gary B,, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
At the age of 51 I was playing a part in a musical that I took on because I had never done really long monologues and this character had two 10-minute long stints where he was the only character on stage. It was stressful, but at that time I wanted to challenge myself and I loved the theater company that cast me. However, during the run of the show I had a minor heart attack. EYE OPENING EVENT. My daughter was 12 years old at that time and all I could think about was how much of her life I would miss if I died. I changed my diet and my exercise routine and my work life. I chose only to do projects that make me happy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Wow. What an intense question. I will try to keep this short by focusing on the here a now a little bit more. Choosing acting as a profession is one of the dumbest and hardest things I could have done. It is not easy and it is filled with rejection. But it is also some of the most rewarding work I could have done and what my soul craved and needed. Out of a life of theater/film and television I’d say I had about 4 years where I didn’t have to supplement my income by having the “real” job. Two of those years was because of a large national commercial. Recently as learning lines became more difficult I had the great opportunity to do more podcast voice-over work. The voice-over work has become my main joy and I was lucky enough to find Pickleball during the pandemic and realize that teaching it gave me almost as much pleasure as theater. So now I only take acting and directing jobs that give me joy and supplement my income in a pretty substantial way teaching/coaching pickleball.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Of course, Hollywood blvd, the getty center, Malibu and Venice beach, All the thai restaurants and mexican restaurant’s here in the valley and famous one’s in the “city”… I love the drive up the coast to Hearst Castle and then inland to Los Robles for wine tasting. Into the mountains for a hike even just up to the Hollywood sign.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Too many people to shout out about. Recently, Bernadette Armstrong and Open Door Playhouse became my savior at a time when life was bleak. There was no work during the pandemic. Artistically dry. I wrote a really good screenplay and became Interim Artistic Director of a theater company, but that job was about helping a theater stay afloat through it’s reopening and making sure no shows lost money. It was more of a booking job and not one I loved. Then came Open Door Playhouse which gave me a home to act and direct. I was able to help other friends by offering acting jobs to them as well. Rather then go down my academy award list (LOL) I’ll talk a little about Parson’s Nose Theater Company in Pasadena that also gave me opportunities when others were dried up. Radio plays live on stage was one way and allowing myself a Barry Gordon the opportunity to put up a musical revue/lecture “A Complete History of the American Musical, in 90 minutes or less.” This started me working with Barry on a musical based on “The Picture of Dorian Gray” which we are now in workshop with a producer in town. Also, I’d like to talk a bit about Shakespeare @ The Castle in Alliance, Ohio that has been a summer home for 12 years where I’ve been able to act and direct and to Andy Ferrara who cast me as Juan Peron in “Evita” for a national tour in 2019. And last but not least a shout out to Kevin Carr who started Theater of Note of which I was there for the beginning, but also for giving me my first directing job.

Other: For the fun of it ask Seri or Alexa or any of your music streaming devices to play music by G.B. Lamb and check out my album and some other songs I’ve written.

Image Credits
Please use what you like… it’s the only ones I could upload. Tried to upload a pic of an actual show… no go. Also, a music video… no go.

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.