Interview: Spencer Allport on playing Cash in ‘Perfect Harmony’

Spencer Allport’s character on Perfect Harmony knows how to “Cash” in on those dimples.

Perfect Harmony‘s Spencer Allport portrays Cash, son of Ginny and Wayne. Cash is facing some challenges such as dyslexia and his parents’ divorce. Amidst these challenges, however, Cash has a large circle of support from his parents and the rest of the Second First Church choir. New choir director Arthur Cochran is tutoring Cash and “Auntie” Adams is particularly vulnerable to Cash’s sweet dimples.

Cash has a quick wit and strong loyalty to his family. The growing friendship between young Cash and cranky Arthur has been particularly compelling. Despite their age difference, each is learning lessons from the other.

Cash has a very special episode coming when Perfect Harmony returns on January 9th. Word on the street is that Cash will be singing in this episode!

I had the pleasure of catching up with Spencer Allport to get some scoop on the actor, the role of Cash and Perfect Harmony.

I think it’s great that Perfect Harmony is shedding light on dyslexia. Maybe it will help someone who is struggling. Had you heard of dyslexia before?

Spencer: Yes, one of my friends has dyslexia and so does my aunt. I knew it could make reading hard for people. I’m learning more about it now.

I’ve said that Cash is often the voice of reason on the show. Why do you think kids sometimes understand what’s going on more clearly than adults?

Spencer: Children just tell it like it is. 

How do you learn your lines?

Spencer: Funny enough, when I get my first script I look it over, but I’ve learned it will change by the time we get to set. So I don’t start learning my lines until just before we start to shoot. At the moment, I don’t have a lot of lines to worry about. If I ever do this might change.

You are with adults a lot on the show. What was it like working with Ayana, daughter of Rizwan Manji (Reverend Jax), in the Christmas episode?

Spencer: She’s great and it’s good to have another kid around. We did school together that week and it was a cool environment. We sometimes hang out outside of set, too. Rizwan has three kids, one of them is a boy who likes basketball so we try to get together once in a while.

Do your dimples ever work on your mom?

Spencer: They never do.

I know one of your acting coaches, Jordan Woods-Robinson. Can you share a piece of advice Jordan has given you that has been especially helpful?

Spencer: Don’t always have your heart set on one thing. Jordan was a great coach, we miss him so much.

What’s your favorite thing  about your character?

Spencer: He’s basically the most adult out of his entire family. This isn’t how it is in my real life, so I get a kick out of that.

Cash and Arthur are developing a special bond on screen. Are you two close off screen?

Spencer: I’d like to think that Bradley likes me a lot, he loves kids. However, I don’t know if I’ve ever met a person as busy as Bradley Whitford, so we don’t spend much time together outside of work. 

I hear you like basketball. What do you think of the University of Kentucky Wildcats that are often mentioned in the show?

Spencer: They’re a great college team, but I follow pro, specifically the Orlando Magic. 

Speaking of basketball, it’s game time! I gave Spencer a few scenarios where he had to choose among his fellow actors and characters for his reply. Here’s what he had to say!

You have to pick either Anna or Will to plan your birthday party. Who would you choose?

Spencer: Will knows me a lot better, so I’ll go with him. Anna did have a super fun birthday party this year though, so I think they’d both kill it.

You are going to the movies. Who would you want to choose the movie? Bradley or Rizwan?

You can take ONE of these characters (not the actors themselves this time) to an Orlando Magic game, courtside. Who would you (Spencer) take with you? Wayne, Dwayne or Adams?

Cash is one of my favorite characters on Perfect Harmony, so it was wonderful learning more about both Spencer and Cash.

I had quite a chuckle in the scene where Wayne shows son Cash an old photo in his wallet. Cash asks about the number of “likes” the photo received and wonders how Wayne got the photo off of his phone. It’s so much fun having that youthful perspective among the adult characters (wait, does that include Wayne? wink-wink).