R-ACT Theatre Productions

Gaslight

directed by Eric Armstrong

October 2017

Role - Jack Manningham

As so often happens, I find myself inhabiting a role of someone so far from myself that I have to take two busses, a train and a horse-drawn carriage to arrive at their point of view. And thus it is with Jack Manningham, the original prototype of the sociopathic bastard. Much to my chagrin, I find I really relish playing Jack. He's so smooth and so polite and so devious.

If you've never heard of the term, "gaslighting," I suggest you turn on the news. The play Gaslight, or Angel Street as it is known here in the states, is the origin of the term. Gaslighting is the act of manipulating someone via psychological means into questioning their own sanity. I leave your imagination to work out what that has to do with this play.

The play takes place at the Angel Street home of Jack and Bella Manningham which, on the surface, gives the impression of the ideal Victorian household. But there is a dark and sinister undercurrent just out of sight of the public eye. It is this darkness that the audience becomes privy to as the play unfolds.

Red Barn Theatre

Jesus Christ Superstar

directed by Jessica Patterson

July 2017

Role - Caiaphus

This is still my favorite musical and it was a pleasure to return to it as the, not evil, but certainly misguided antagonist, Caiaphas. Some of the notes are just below my range but we managed to figure out which places I could sing up an octave and not make the songs sound riduculous.

This was a very talented cast of very young people, so I did feel a little out of place. But sometimes it's good to keep your distance from the main characters of the story when you're playing the antagonist.

Pittsburgh New Works Festival

Deck Chairs by Bill Arnold

directed by Nick Mitchell
produced by Cup a Jo Productions

September 2016

Role - Mr. Harrington

This was my first experience with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, an experience I hope to repeat. I auditioned more out of a desire to get involved so I could understand the theatre business in Pittsburgh better and maybe make a few contacts along the way. Overall, a very positive experience and I got to meet the author.

This was a 20 minute play about a sinking ship, stiff proper Englishmen and deck chairs. What more does a comedy need? We had four rehearsals, one of which was marred by the Police Raid unfolding on the same city block.

R-ACT Theatre Productions

Death and Doubloons by Larry Spinenwebber

directed by Conrad Bianco

August 2016

Role - First Mate McTeague

Well, as everyone who know me knows, this was the role I was born to play - a gruff, nasty pirate. I had a load of fun with the role. McTeague is a rogue who wants only one thing, and that's to be Captain of his own ship. The question is, would he go so far as to murder his own Captain and take her ship? Since this is a murder mystery, I'll leave it at that.

In addition to playing McTeague, I also provided all the weapons used on stage (swords and guns) and acted as the fight choreographer. What I learned is that my elbows are getting too old for sword fighting.

Driftwood Dramatics

Imaginary Exits by Eric J. McAnallen

directed by Eric J. McAnallen

May 2016

Role - Figment 1

The acting for me in this show wasn't challenging since I was playing a part of my own psyche, that and I gave myself the smallest role.

What was so challenging for me was that I also directed this show. I'm a big believer that the director needs to be at a distance and directing and not right in the mix of things and acting. I know a couple of scenes I was in could have worked better if another actor had been in my place and I could have done my directing. Still, when you're short one body, you make due.

It was absolutely wonderful to see a creation of my own mind take form on the stage. My one regret was that I couldn't be in the audience to experience their joy at discovering my inner oddness.

R-ACT Theatre Productions

Wait Until Dark

directed by Mike Nelson

November 2015

Role - Mike Talman

This was one of the most challenging and rewarding roles I've ever played.

Red Barn Theatre

Moon Over Buffalo

directed by Nancy Batko and Liz Klein

July 2015

Role - Richard Maynard

This is my third, and last, time on the stage for this show. This time I played the "boring" lawyer, Richard, who is looking to steal Charlotte away from George. I took the role as a favor to the directors when their original Richard dropped out part way through rehearsals.

While I love this show and I think it is hilarious, I cannot bring myself to ever do it again.

R-ACT Theatre Productions

Curious Savage

directed by Larry Spinnenwebber

June 2015

Role - Titus Savage

Yet another role I think I landed because I have the ability to be loud and intimidating. There is nothing subtle about Senator Titus Savage. His primary means of getting what he wants is to yell as loud as he can until it happens. Oh well.

This was a fun show with some very interesting characters.

R-ACT Theatre Productions

Annual Holiday Radio Show

Three Men and A Child Is Born

directed by Leanne Condron

December 2014

Roles - Gascoigne, Gaspar, A King and Dismas the Thief

This was my first show with R-ACT, a small theatre company in Rochester, PA, and it was all voice work. We performed two traditional radio shows in front of a live audience at Merrick Free Art Gallery in New Brighton, PA.

I got to stretch my voice acting chops with several different voices, a French soldier on leave, a Greek wise man, and a young thief.

Here's the audio from the shows trimmed of commericals.

Three Men

A Child Is Born

Hobnob Theatre Co.

A Midsummer's Night Dream

directed by Phil Ball

August 2014

Role - Nick Bottom

A return to Shakespeare for me for this, ultimately, very silly role as the overly confident and not too bright weaver-turned-actor, Nick Bottom. I had a lot of fun with this show from the very silly looking donkey ears my wife made to the incredibly over the top performance of the play within the play, Pyramus and Thisby.

This was true Shakespeare in the park as we performed this comedy at Preston Park in Butler in promenade, meaning the audience followed the actors around the park to see the whole show. A bit challenging in that we didn't have a backstage or wings and sometimes, the audience and other cast members were several hundred yards away while you were "offstage."