Published: August 15, 2008 09:40 pm      

A break from tradition

Red Mask Players to present one-act productions

DANVILLE — In the spirit of summer stock theater, the Red Mask Players often break from tradition for a summer production. The results have surprised and delighted audiences in the past. The group hopes the two one-act plays performed for just one weekend this summer will do the same.

A talented group of new actors and directors, along with some familiar faces, will present two plays by Christopher Durang. The nationally known playwright has built his reputation on broad comedies — these two fit that mold.

In Durang's parody “The Actor’s Nightmare,” an accountant wanders onstage and learns he must replace one of the actors. No one is sure what play is being performed, so the man fumbles through one missed cue after another. The title comes from a common dream that actors share of being unprepared for a role.

In the comedy “Wanda’s Visit,” a couple married for 13 years feels bored and unhappy. Wanda, the husband’s old girlfriend, shows up. She can't stop talking, flirts inappropriately and tells long stories of her possibly criminal past. The marriage seems precarious.

Both plays’ true-life situations and fast-paced dialogue delighted their directors.

“Where else could we have so much fun?” Brian Morris, director of “Nightmare,” asked. His wife Carol, better known as “Cookie,” is working as his assistant director. The couple lives in Champaign, but they’ve commuted before to Danville for theater opportunities. “The drive isn’t an impediment,” Morris said.

Cookie said, “I’m usually backstage — he’s the actor.”

Brian said directing hasn’t been a big adjustment. “Most of the directors I’ve worked with haven’t been intimidating. I have more confidence with this than when I had to switch from acting to singing in (DLO’s) ‘Jekyll & Hyde.’”

For first-time director Linda Bolton, it’s a bigger reach. “I’ve never directed before,” Bolton said. “Many years ago, I was involved with acting and helping backstage. It was here I met Wilbur (Bolton’s husband of 35 years). I played his big sister in a play.

“It’s been fun to learn as we go,” she said. “But it’s been a challenge, too. I didn’t know how much went into (directing).”

Two new actors involved in the one-acts had the same realization even though they’ve been involved in Red Mask for years.

Chris Jacobs, who makes her stage debut in “Nightmare,” has been involved backstage with Red Mask for more than three years as the group’s make-up artist. That position led to work with other community theater groups, but always in the same capacity. This time, she’s appearing onstage.

“I never considered myself an actor,” Jacobs said. “I just have a small part in this play. I’m a thug — I wave a gun around.

“What I never realized was how difficult it was (for actors) to pull off things that look easy from the audience,” she said.

Another backstage veteran who appears onstage in the one-acts has carved out a niche that’s earned her the nickname “Prop-tart.”

Suzie Harmon started working props for Red Mask over five years ago. Like Jacobs, she’s helped other groups but her theater home remains the Kathryn Randolph Theater.

“I’ve been onstage a few times,” Harmon said, “when they needed someone to fill in.

“I was surprised to be cast in this, and I was nervous at first,” she said. “But now, I’m having a blast on the other side.”

IF YOU GO

The Red Mask Players will present two one-act plays at 8 p.m. Aug. 22 and 23 at the Kathryn Randolph Theater, 601 N. Vermilion St. Tickets are $5 and will be sold at the theater box office the night of each performance.