Classical novice portraying famed baritone

Examples: Shirley Knight ("Remembering Amy," 2007) studied opera. John Rubinstein ("Mazurka — My Friend, Chopin," 2006) is the son of the late pianist Arthur Rubinstein. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. ("Mesmeric Mozart," 2006) is the son of Russian violinist Efrem Zimbalist and the equally famous singer Alma Gluck.

Not Richard Moll.

He doesn't play an instrument. He can't carry a classical note on his rich, comforting baritone. He has no famous family ties to music.

But he's learning.

He can tell you, for example, that 19th-century baritone Johann Michael Vogl was as much a mentor to as a mentee of composer Franz Schubert. Vogl is largely credited with bringing Schubert to the attention of the world by singing his songs, but Moll thinks Schubert did just as much for Vogl.

Vogl was enamored of Schubert's music early in the composer's career and continued singing his songs until his death in 1840 — a dozen years to the day after Schubert died at age 31 in 1828.

Moll will portray Vogl in the regional premiere of Chamber Music Plus Southwest's "Schubert Shadows," the story of the men's friendship and Schubert's final — and arguably most productive and creative — months.

Moll will, in essence, perform a dramatic reading of the Harry Clark-penned script, part of Chamber Music Plus Southwest's "Rhythms of Life" series. Moll doesn't do a lot of dramatic readings, he confessed during a phone call in mid-December.

"I've done some Shakespeare, speaking of things classical. I did a staged reading of 'Midsummer Night's Dream' a few years back with a stellar cast," he said, trying to redeem himself for his lack of classical credentials.

In fact, the 6-foot-8 California native said he's quite fond of Shakespeare. Had his film and TV career not taken root in the 1970s, he might have made Shakespeare his career. Moll got his start playing an assortment of hulking giants and scary creatures in sci-fi flicks and made his TV career on the shoulders of lovable "Night Court" bailiff Bull Shannon.

These days, he mixes theater with his occasional film work. In the December phone conversation, Moll chatted about his upcoming Arizona performances, shaving his head and getting older.

Do you like the interaction with a live audience?

"If it's going well."

How do you know if it's not going well?

"When you have pieces of fruit or smelly eggs all over you. That's a sign right there that they're not receptive. Of course, it always goes well with me so it's not an issue."

Do you still shave your head?

"Uh, don't get personal, OK?"

I'm paid to ask these questions.

"Really? That's phenomenal. OK, so I shave my legs and armpits, but I don't mess with my head anymore."

You started shaving your head for "Night Court," right?

"I had done this little sci-fi movie called 'Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn,' and I played a one-eyed, desert-dwelling mutant that was bald. So I had my head shaved when I went in to audition for 'Night Court.' They said, 'Richard, that looks good. Will you shave your head for the part?' I said, 'Are you kidding? I'll shave my legs for the part.' "

They made you shave your legs, too?

"No, they didn't make me do that."

So why did you shave your legs?

"No, cut it out. I'm sorry I brought this up. I was kidding."

You're celebrating a big birthday right after you come to Tucson.

"How did you know about that?"

Did some research. Are you freaking out about turning 65?

"I'm not freaking out about my birthday. I'm freaking out about my life."

Do you want us to wish you a happy birthday?

"Well, I don't know. What kind of presents?"

How about a cactus, and we'll take out all the thorns?

"Well, that's mighty decent of you. Let me get back to you."

Preview

"Schubert Shadows"

• Written by: Harry Clark.

• Presented by: Chamber Music Plus Southwest.

• Starring: Richard Moll.

• When: 8 p.m. today at Kerr Cultural Center, 6110 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 3 p.m. Sunday at Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway.

• Tickets: $30 through CMPS, 400-5439.

• Program includes: Cellist Clark and pianist Sanda Schuldmann performing Schubert's "An Die Musik," "Der Erlkönig," "Gretchen am Spinnrade," "Die Forelle" and "Der Tod und Das Madchen."

• The story: A look at Franz Schubert's final year as he broke from the shadow of his idol Ludwig van Beethoven and came into his own, creating masterpiece after masterpiece in his final months. The story is told through the famed opera and lieder singer Johann Michael Vogl, who befriended the young composer when he was still a teen and was largely responsible for singing his songs and exposing Schubert to the world.