It''s been my experience that a cast can make or break a play. If the play is a comedy with a few dramatic moments--as Karl Marx.com is--the casting is crucial. One actor might deliver a comic line using everything he/she has learned in acting classes since age 6, and the line dies a horrible death that makes the playwright cry, "The humanity! Oh, the humanity!"
Another actor might pause, react subtly, then deliver the line in a dead-pan manner that makes everyone wet their pants with laughter. In other words, some actors just seem to have a feel for understanding the action of the character, but also have that extra gear that makes everything work. In the D.C. area, Nancy Robinette is extremely good a this.
Obviously, a good director should have a sense for when things will work and when they most emphaitcally won't, and whether the problem is in the script or the delivery--or, God forbid--both.
In the case of Karl Marx.com, I couldn't be happier that Veronica Del Cerro, Anne Bowles, and Drew Kopas have agreed to be a part of our little adventure at the Kennedy Center. All three are a lot of fun to work...
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anne bowles, brad porter, casting, drew kopas, john becker, karl marx.com, susan coll, theatre, veronica del cerro
Posted at: 12:51 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
When I read Karl Marx.com, I couldn't help envisioning this novel as a play. Some of the scenes--with their odd characters and scenes both hilarious and tense--seemed perfectly designed for the stage. Weird characters and odd scenes? Now you're talking my language.
I approached the author, Susan Coll, with some wariness--uncertain both of her reaction and how well we might work together. However, upon meeting with her, it became clear that we shared a twisted sense of humor and general vision for the play. Perhaps her humor is slightly less twisted than mine...but, then again, she did at one point suggest that we pen a song entitled "Carbuncles." (Karl Marx had issues with carbuncles.)
She's been incredibly gracious and helpful.
Currently, we're working our way through the final scene. The cast is also coming together. I couldn't be more pleased; thus far we've heard of interest from some of my favorite actors in the D.C. area.
The plan is to have this play read at the Kennedy Center Page to Stage event and then take it from there. Off to finish that final scene and try to exorcise the word "carbuncles" from my head.
Tags:
karl marx.com, kennedy center, play, susan coll
Posted at: 01:12 PM | 0 Comments | Add Comment | Permalink
