An Evening At The Theatre

While watching The Laramie Project over the weekend, Mallorie asked about Angels in America which was referenced several times in the movie. I didn't know much about the play, other than it was a two-part play, dealt with homosexuals and AIDS and had been made into a movie miniseries with Emma Thompson. Fortunately, Part One: Millennium Approaches was being produced by UNCG. Armed with a free ticket (thank you, Jody!) Mallorie and I caught the show last night.

We are introduced to Prior Walter (Matthew Delaney) and his boyfriend Louis Ironson (Matt Palmer). Prior is developing symptoms of a relatively new, and fatal, disease called AIDS. Louis is wracked with guilt; he cannot remain committed to Prior and watch him die. Harper Pitt (Shay Lydick) is the pill-popping, hallucinating wife of Joe Pitt (Joshua Yoder). Their marriage is falling apart; both suspect he is homosexual. Ray Cohen (Anthony Scarscella) discusses the politics of the time, and assures his doctor that he is not a faggot; he is merely a man who occasionally sleeps with other men. (He also doesn't have AIDS; he has cancer.)

I was most impressed with Anthony's performance. I met Anthony last year during SETC's Fall auditions. He was looking for a grad school. UNCG was very lucky to get him. His portrayal of Ray Cohen was spot-on. Matthew Delaney also turned in a realistic performance, as did Joshua Yoder. And while Shay Lydick's voice was grating at times, her performance was enjoyable.

As of right now, UNCG is not sure it will produce the second part next season. I hope they do. Just as things were getting started, the play was over.

Acting for Film - Small Change

I just received an email from AJ alerting me to minor changes to this Saturday's shoot. I will not be wearing the Revolutionary War costume. Instead, I need to wear something "middle-class suburban housewifeish". Why do Bree and Gabrielle from Desperate Housewives pop into my head? And if that's what AJ is also envisioning, I've got a problem. I don't have anything that would make me look like Bree or Gabrielle in my wardrobe. I'll have to talk to our LTWS costume ladies for some ideas.

Also, since I'm no longer going to look like Betsy Ross, they've tweaked the script. Now I'm a bit nervous about Saturday. I'm not sure I'll have the "middle-class suburban housewife" look and I'm worried about having to memorize a tweaked script with less than 24 hours before the shoot.

Ah, the life of a film actress indeed......

Acting for Film

About a week ago I got an email from Stephen Hyers containing an emailed forwarded from a UNCG someone looking for actors to help with summer film projects. Since I've never done any film work I forwarded my headshot and resume.

I just got a call from AJ Lee. (He's the "someone" from UNCG.) He's in a bit of a bind and was hoping I could help. He asked if, by any chance, I was available this Saturday from 12:30p until 2p, and would I be willing to play the part of Kathy Maitland in an antiques roadshow segment. Of course I can rearrange my schedule to help him out. That's the kind of person I am! (Okay, in truth I didn't have anything planned on Saturday and I was hoping I'd be called for the film projects. But AJ didn't need to know that!)

So, I'll be emailed a script momentarily. Apparently I'll be dressed in a Revolutionary War period costume. And I'll be paid for my time. $25.00. Which should cover gas to Greensboro.

Ah, the life of a film actress.....