Tonight is opening
night for Reefer Madness the Musical.
It is my first play since 2011, first production at South Dakota State
University and my first singing role in a musical. In anticipation for this I was looking back at previous
plays and decided to make a list of my favorite roles. This excludes improv, stand-up and film
work. Some of these go back a
ways, doesn’t seem like I am as far out of high school as I actually am. This is a personal blogpost, don’t know
who will like this except me (but then again I really have no idea who reads
this site). Anyway, here are my
ten favorite roles I have performed in plays.
10.
Waiter/Angel- Dead Man’s Cell Phone by Sara Ruhl. Theatre B, 2010.
I had an small role in this and while I did not get any lines or any chance to take center stage this was an extremely solid ensemble. Really felt like a part of a group. Also being at rehearsal everyday I really got a great opportunity to struggle and analyze this difficult play.
9. D’Artagnan’s
Father- Three Musketeers by Ken Ludwig.
Fargo South, 2009.
I did not appreciate how great this role was at the time. Mainly because I was a high school senior that thought he was a lot better than I actually was and I had a stick up my butt about not getting a lead. But this was a great role. I got to open the show with a wonderfully choreographed rapier fight. Since I was not in the show after the first scene I had a chance be part of the stage crew which was awesome.
I did not appreciate how great this role was at the time. Mainly because I was a high school senior that thought he was a lot better than I actually was and I had a stick up my butt about not getting a lead. But this was a great role. I got to open the show with a wonderfully choreographed rapier fight. Since I was not in the show after the first scene I had a chance be part of the stage crew which was awesome.
8. Cohen- The
Underpants by Steve Martin.
Theatre B, 2011.
If I could do any performance again it would be this. I really didn't understand this character until after the play was over and I finally started to relate to him. But it was a really fun show and a well written character. I love that when they need to cast a 35 year old Jew in Fargo they cast a 19 year old Presbyterian.
If I could do any performance again it would be this. I really didn't understand this character until after the play was over and I finally started to relate to him. But it was a really fun show and a well written character. I love that when they need to cast a 35 year old Jew in Fargo they cast a 19 year old Presbyterian.
7. Porter- Macbeth by
William Shakespeare. Fargo South,
2007.
I got away with talking about my flaccid dick on a high school stage, thank you William Shakespeare. A lot of fun monologuing and comic relief. Plus had a really quick costume change into the Old Man (who I also played) before changing back into the Porter just to walk across the stage.
I got away with talking about my flaccid dick on a high school stage, thank you William Shakespeare. A lot of fun monologuing and comic relief. Plus had a really quick costume change into the Old Man (who I also played) before changing back into the Porter just to walk across the stage.
6. Harry the Horse,
Guys ‘n Dolls by Frank Loesser.
Fargo South, 2007.
I remember pissing off some cast members with my ad-libbing (which I now concede was a bit excessive), but I really got into this character. The accent, the costume, Harry the Horse is just a perfect small comic role.
I remember pissing off some cast members with my ad-libbing (which I now concede was a bit excessive), but I really got into this character. The accent, the costume, Harry the Horse is just a perfect small comic role.
5. The Devil- The
Bathtub Farce by Tony Devaney Morinelli.
Fargo South, 2007.
Love playing the villain. Wore a really cool mask and cape and got to play with my low register (which I rarely get an opportunity to do). I love cartoons and I literally played the devil on the shoulder.
Love playing the villain. Wore a really cool mask and cape and got to play with my low register (which I rarely get an opportunity to do). I love cartoons and I literally played the devil on the shoulder.
4. Samuel Parris, The
Crucible by Arthur Miller. Fargo
South, 2008.
One of the biggest roles I ever had and few really dramatic performances I've gotten to give. A lot of trouble with line memorization, but the show turned out great. Out of all of the losers I've played Parris was the most pure.
One of the biggest roles I ever had and few really dramatic performances I've gotten to give. A lot of trouble with line memorization, but the show turned out great. Out of all of the losers I've played Parris was the most pure.
3. Jimmy- Almost,
Maine by John Cariani. Theatre B,
2010.
This was really the first play I really felt chemistry on stage, my scene partner was terrific and really helped me out a lot. Jimmy the hopeless romantic that is struggling to find love was a character I really related to. It was a different experience, a much smaller production than I was used to and my first time acting with adults. But it was a really great experience.
This was really the first play I really felt chemistry on stage, my scene partner was terrific and really helped me out a lot. Jimmy the hopeless romantic that is struggling to find love was a character I really related to. It was a different experience, a much smaller production than I was used to and my first time acting with adults. But it was a really great experience.
2. Special Ed
Renzelli- Good ‘n Plenty by Jeffrey Hatcher. Theatre B, 2008.
Just today my mom mentioned this play. Good 'n Plenty is a perfect comedy that is probably the best written, directed and cast show I've ever gotten the privilege to be a part of. I got to play the awkward principal who just can't do anything right. This role was just such a natural fit and became really physical. The director constantly reminds me of this performance and has said I have not topped it yet.
Just today my mom mentioned this play. Good 'n Plenty is a perfect comedy that is probably the best written, directed and cast show I've ever gotten the privilege to be a part of. I got to play the awkward principal who just can't do anything right. This role was just such a natural fit and became really physical. The director constantly reminds me of this performance and has said I have not topped it yet.
1. Tom- The Least Offensive
Play in the Whole Darn World by Jonathan Rand. Fargo South, 2009.
This is my personal favorite role. I got to play a closeted infomercial host trying to sell "The Script Cleaner 5000." This was a really fun one-act, well directed and really well cast. This character was really different than the types I usually fall back on. Really high voice, intentional movements and clean cut (all of these others have had beards). This is the role I look back on the fondest.
This is my personal favorite role. I got to play a closeted infomercial host trying to sell "The Script Cleaner 5000." This was a really fun one-act, well directed and really well cast. This character was really different than the types I usually fall back on. Really high voice, intentional movements and clean cut (all of these others have had beards). This is the role I look back on the fondest.
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