Rehearsing "Consider Yourself" Number At Palace Theatre, Cape Charles
The Cape Charles’ theater season is winding down with Art’s Enter’s blockbuster production of the hit Broadway musical “Oliver !” at the Palace Theatre in the Cape Charles historic area. After almost two months of rehearsals so far, the cast and crew are now fine tuning their art to be ready for Opening Night on April 2, 2011. I’m so proud to have been included in this production as the cast is full of truly experienced thespians who really know their stuff ! Having never before acted on the stage in my whole life, this season, my debut season, has been an incredible experience for me. I was first introduced to the Palace’s amateur theatre group by Eva Noonan, a follow Realtor at the Blue Heron Realty Co. Cape Charles office and a 10 year veteran of Palace Theatre productions. Shortly thereafter I was in my very first play, “The Two Mrs. Carrolls”, a murder thriller taking place in the south of France during the roaring twenties. I had tried out for a part unsuccessfully but the director was compassionate enough to actually write-in a small part just for me especially to keep up my interest in theater. It turned out to be quite a wonderful experience although, to my horror, the video made on the play’s opening night revealed my complete lack of acting skills. ( I can tell you that watching a video of one’s first acting efforts is a truly humbling experience ! )
Rehearsing "Pick A Pocket Or Two" For Palace Threater's Production Of The Musical "Oliver !"
Nevertheless, I accepted the role of Dr. Chasuble in Oscar Wilde’s classic “The Importance of Being Earnest”, Palace Theater’s second production of this season. After my debut experience in “Mrs. Carrolls”, I learned a few lessons in humility and accepted the proffered advice of my fellow actors when it came to shaping my role. I rehearsed my lines relentlessly, using long walks down my 1/2 mile driveway out in the Eastern Shore countryside as my personal “stage”. ( By the time the play was over I think I could have recited all my lines in my sleep, backwards ! ) It must have been hilarious to hear me coming down the country lane, repeating my lines with an aristocratic British accent! Remarks from members of the audience who had seen my first production sounded like rave reviews of my performance and I have been pronounced the “most improved actor” of the season so far. Now, with “Oliver !” in the making, I have much more confidence than ever and, unbelievably, I am actually learning how to sing and dance, although I don’t think Michael Crawford has anything to worry about from me…… just yet. From murder mystery to 19th century British satire to a Broadway musical in just one season, what an experience ! What fun this has been, what an incredible pleasure it is to have become part of the thriving, dynamic arts community here on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, they really welcomed me and made me feel at home. Like the Artful Dodger, they said Consider Yourself One Of Us ! ( Check out the Palace Theatre and Arts Enter at www.artsenter.org )
Tags: "Oliver !" production on the Eastern Shore, Arts Enter Cape Charles, Arts on Eastern Shore of Virginia, Palace Theatre Cape Charles Virginia