Leon Mo had surprised everyone in the Teatro Colon the moment he change into the role of Detective Holzfaller.
He easily was able to internalize the role and give a performance just as good as Heath Aguer. And they have only been practicing for three days.
But it was also not just a copy Heath's performance either. He gave it his own twist, the vibe was certainly different and he had a more nuanced approach on showing his 'detective' side.
It's not as smooth or suave, and more relaxed, like he did not have to try hard to be a police officer. He simply was.
This makes sense because he was indeed a policeman first, and a theater actor second.
Not to mention that his chemistry with Wolfe Fang was also much different. It has a new vibe compared to what the original cast once had.
While Heath's chemistry with him was more of a 'confused hero and playful villain', their subtext was more on like.....
"Mr. Rannulf, you are under arrest for going against the Volstead act." He said, placing a gun to Wolfe's head.
Volstead act was the law that banns alcoholic beverages, and the illegal distribution of it during the Prohibition Era. It was to secure the 18th Amendment, ensuring a 'safe and dry America'.
But all it ever did was increase crimes, and create the speakeasies. Underground bars where this act was broken again and again, and mafia groups sell alcohol.
"Really now, Detective?" Wolfe's character, Lupin, just lowered the gun pointing at his forehead....
And placed it in his mouth.
"Then do check if my mouth does smell of alcohol."
He blew on the tip of the gun, and handed it back to Detective Holzfaller.
Leon's natural himbo face was helpful in adding a degree of naivety to him. He did took the gun back, and sniffed on it.....
And seemed to go in a moment of confusion, before his eyes narrowed like a beast.
It happened so fast, his transition from innocent looking to raging mad and dangerous. It could certainly give anyone a whiplash, but it also somehow fits the character so well.
After all, Detective Holzfaller was described to be one fo the kindest and sympathetic detectives there was.
His father was accused of selling moonshine, and had been imprisoned for a long time. Therefore, he was careful in making accusations towards someone.
But he also had a strong sense of justice, and would not stand for anyone breaking the law.
That level of precision Leon made in showing how conflicted this character truly was made everyone speechless, and fascinated with him.
Even Wolfe's expression became more genuinely intrigued, wondering what this person will o next despite knowing the script.
It was easier for him to get lost in his character now that the person on the other side was Leon Mo.
It was safe to say that Lupin and Detective Holzfaller's relationship reflects their own, that's why it's harder to differentiate now what emotion was staged and what's not.
After this conflicted change in faces, Leon/Detective Holzfaller seemed to have made a decision.
He raised the gun back up against Wolfe/Lupin's forehead.
"Even when you have not tasted it yourself, that does not mean that you are not guilty of breaking Volstead. We have great evidence against you, not to mention a witness' account."
Lupin just cocked his head to the side. "Oh, pray tell? What witness?"
"I am not to share her identity with you."
"Ah, so it's that girl. My, detective, you should have been more careful. There's only one girl that I know that would have implicated me...... The one in red."
He stood up, and Detective Holzfaller's glare never left him, as well as the pistol to his head.
"You say that her account is already great evidence. Yet what if I show you that it had all been a misunderstanding?"
"She's an immigrant, she can barely speak English let alone understand us Americans. Can't you see? Her poor eyes must have seen glass for diamonds, hay for gold."
He placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let me take you to this 'secret stash' you claim for me to have."
He kept on walking, just looking back at the man pointing his gun at him with a sly smirk.
This was when Leon would start to sing. On his first few tries, he told everyone to skip this part first.
This made Director Choi doubt his ability to sing.
"It's just one verse and then you sing together in the chorus, what's so hard about that!? Mr. Mo, we've already pushed the performance's schedule for one week!"
"I know, but........ Please trust me on this. Let me keep on practicing alone before the dress rehearsal."
And so, they did let him skip this part with Lupin as they went inside his 'secret room' that Rotte claimed to be where he's hiding his smuggled gin, brandy, and bourbon.
The song's name was 'Taste of Danger'. It was the most suggestive song between the two men, and further cements the supposed homoerotic tension between them.
Leon refuse to sing this song for a long time, and on dress rehearsal, they finally heard him.....
"What is this scent, so intoxicating, unraveling?
I do not smell a hint of alcohol in him and yet
I feel like my mind is slowly entangling
Into fine paper shreds that may lead to regret"
Leon had sang it in such a rich and deep baritone voice, and yet the emotion was still very much present. His husky voice had the sense of irony as it sounded so vulnerable at the same time.
Even Wolfe looked back at him as he first heard this, but controlled himself and kept walking. A grin wide on his lips.
People would have interpreted this grin in his character as Lupin scheming, but really, it's Wolfe Fang just being so amused and delighted to hear Leon sing on stage.
Leon could see that smile, and found himself grinning as well. Yet he controlled it back, which happened to fit his next verse's pathos.
"Oh I can taste it in the air, the sweet, sweet danger......"
But he soon stopped on his steps as he noticed something in his peripheral vision.
It was many shadows running at the top seats of the theater. It could have been just a trick fo the lights, or anything else ordinary.....
But he really can smell and taste danger now. It's here.