The character of Mark is based on Cameron (Rick) Mason, but the gonnerhea story came from Michael Bennett's life.
Mark is the optimistic, first-timer who 'just wants to get in the chorus in the first place!' He represents the new brand of hopefuls who is always flooding into NYC to become a big star. Although he is relatively new to the business, he is very talented. His naivety and charm affects even the most hardened of the auditioners in the show.
Mark is a great comical role, and he's usually a white-bread, all-american type kid. He is also one of the best dancers in the line, which is one of the reasons he gets the show.
Rick Mason (original Mark) didn't start dancing until late, when his interest in theater was picqued by participation in local community theater. He went to college, and while there, he auditioned for the nightclub act for Sylvie Vartan, a sort of
French Ann-Margaret. He returned home after a few
monthes and stopped in NYC on the way. He loved the atmosphere, the energy. He said "This was what I had been waiting for all my life. I knew I belonged right away." So, he returned home, sold all his belongings, and moved to New York.
Rick auditioned for the workshops, but was not involved the original taping sessions. He did not know Michael, or any of the other dancers. Michael went up to him after his audition and simply said "He'll do." This shows the attitude Bennett had with Rick during the entire show. I get the impression that
Rick/Mark is a very sweet, sensitive guy who really needs feedback. But because he was perfect as the cute babyfaced newcomer, Michael ignored him and didn't give him any feedback. Unfortunately, Rick eventually came to really resent Michael as well as the other performers. He said, "It was very hard. I
know I'm as talented as the others. It's only my first exposure, so I know I shouldn't be greedy. But all these other performers had these huge egos. There I was, being a good little boy, and my role was shitty compared to the others. If it takes a mean, backstabbing personality to be in this business, then I that is just not me. I wanted so much to say to Michael 'how am I doing? Is this what you want? See what else I can do..'But the part did not grow, although Rick brought an innocent charm as well as big
laughs from his several one-liners. This last section is really more like "Mark's disillusionment" and it shouldn't really be used for Mark, as he is the innocent character. It does give you some of his attitudes, though, and I thought his thoughts were
interesting and touching to share.
As far as other facts, Mark is very obsessed with sex, as his lines reveal in the Montage. He is the youngest line member (20), so perhaps he's the closest to all the adolesence that they are talking about. Although he doesn't really know people at the audition, Rick had worked with the inspiration for the Richie character in a trade show, so Mark and Richie might know each other. Also, Val somewhat takes Mark under her wing. In fact, she originally pinched his butt at the end of her number! I've seen it where Val and Mark appear to be ready to date at the end of the show. After they have both been picked, she throws her arms
around his neck and he lifts her off the ground in a big hug.
He might also gravitate toward Bebe and Maggie, since they both have some similiar qualities as Mark. Connie, with her mothering tendancies, might help him out when he doesn't know what to do. His biggest competition is Don, since the originally had similiar
all-american looks. That could be dramatized well.
Mark is third from left, and originally wore a lt blue tank top and dark blue dance pants. He also had a matching jacket which he wore during the Rehearsal One sequence. He represents hope, the freshness of new talent, and the charm of small town america.
Rick Mason continued to act, and appeared as a dancer in several tv specials and series in the 70s. But he eventually left the business to work in his family's furniture store. As revealed by the earlier quote, he was somewhat ambivalent about his role in ACL, but regardless, he left a great role based on his life. Rick has passed away.
