Words, Words, Words

After playing Shylock at the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey in the spring, and Capulet in Romeo and Juliet at the Guthrie, I unexpectedly got recruited to go to the Shakespeare Theater in DC to play Sir Toby Belch.  A lot of Shakespeare.  For which I am grateful!  But you know.

Polonius:  The actors are come hither, my lord.

Hamlet:  Buzz, buzz.

I’m looking forward to returning to the Old Country (NYC).  And glad to say my next role will be contemporary (The Great Society at Arena Stage, after a brief stay at home).  Shakespeare is indispensable to me, like air and water.  But now:  real pants an talking normal, thank you.

My Reel

back in new york after many travels

I am back in New York City, after nearly a year doing some wonderful projects outside the city: TRAVESTIES at the Bay Street Theater, THE MOUSETRAP at the Dorset theater Festival in Vermont, Touchstone in AS YOU LIKE IT in Washington, DC, and playing Bottom in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at the Guthrie. It’s good to be home.

touchstone in dc

With Zoe Waites (Rosalind) and Adina Verson (Celia) in As You Like It, at Shakespeare Theater Company, Washington DC. 2014

a bit from my play DAMASCUS at Boise Contemporary Theater, 2012

back home

After a weird and wonderful year in Los Angeles, and a few thrilling months in Aspen (An Iliad at Aspen Fringe), Chautauqua (Clybourne Park at Chautauqua Theater Company) and Minneapolis (Uncle Vanya at the Guthrie), it is great to be back home. We found a beautiful place to live–in Inwood, overlooking the Cloisters. I found myself in a terrific production of Brecht’s A Man’s a Man at CSC. A Tennessee Williams workshop with the Acting Company. Now all we need is some warm days.

Vanya

I am in Minneapolis, waiting for the first snow of the year, finishing the run of Uncle Vanya at the Guthrie Theater, in a beautiful production directed by Artistic Director Joe Dowling. It’s been a dream to play this role at this theater, with such amazing artists. Now back home to New York, and whatever adventures await.

Went to Boise–and from there went on a journey to a dingy apartment in Upper Manhattan, to a lonely park bench, to Dunkin’ Donuts–

 

 

 

to a dusty road in India, to the doorway of a cinderblock school in an open field, to the very spot where Shiva first kissed Parvati.  The very spot!

The play came alive in the beautiful space at Boise Contemporary Theater, thanks to the brilliant design by Neil Patel (set) and Greg Goff (lights).  As Fiona the Volunteer says in the play, to Alexander the Wandering Malcontent: “Oh, for God’s sake Alex, it’s not about being good, it’s about giving them something.”  I think, I hope, we gave them something, and I know we got much more in return.  Thanks, Boise.

next stop boise

I am very excited  to be going to Boise, Idaho to perform Damascus at Boise Contemporary Theater.    I performed Namaste Man there two years ago, and fell in love with the theater, the city and the spectacular natural setting.  Gorgeous snow-capped mountains, a crystal clear river to run next to, and some very big sky.  BCT is a great treasure–a place where new, provocative work is done with meticulous and passionate care, in front of a very savvy and generous audience.  I can’t wait.  As in NYC, the production will be directed by Ian Belknap and designed by Neil Patel.Meanwhile, here is a link to a little video from the NYC production of Damascus, just to get a flavor.