# Theater People - What roles have you played? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 15, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495 "2004-03-15T20:04:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/1 "2004-03-15T20:04:41Z")
And I’m not talking about the grade school play where you were cast as a member of a major food group. I’m talking full-scale productions with casting calls, scripts, a director, costumes, sets, and a audience of people who actually wanted to be there (whether they paid or not is optional). Collegiate productions do count, btw. So, theater people, time to show off your CVs. I’ll get the ball rolling. College: - Lazar Wolf in _Fiddler on the Roof_ - The Wazir in _Kizmet_ - The Policeman in _We Won’t Pay! We Won’t Pay!_ (One-act adaptation) The Gilbert & Sullivan Company of El Paso: - Dick Deadeye in _H.M.S. Pinafore_ - Giuseppe in _The Gondoliers_ - The Pirate King in _The Pirates of Penzance_ - Sir Marmaduke in _The Sorcerer_ - Grosvenor in _Patience_ - Koko in _The Mikado_ - Sir Despard and Sir Roderic in _Ruddigore_ - The Lord Chancellor in _Iolanthe_ ---
**Author:** ![Izzybella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e56c9b/32.png) [@Izzybella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Izzybella)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/2 "2004-03-15T20:30:43Z")
Ester - I Am The Egg Man (currently in rehearsals for part of one-act play festival) Ouisa - Six Degrees of Separation Caitlin - Over the River and Through the Woods Rita - The Water Engine Our Town - Various roles, including Emily/most recently I was a townsperson The Cherry Orchard - Dunyasha Bus Stop - Elma Almost all of the above were at my university. (ORTW was at non-profit theatre) And I’ve been in various showcases, etc. Love to do theatre, but don’t audition as much as I’d like (should) because of my current work/school schedule. Right now I’m pretty much focused on graduate, graduate, oh-please-let-me-out-of-this-school type stuff. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/3 "2004-03-15T21:16:32Z")
In my short-lived acting ‘career’ (mmmm, mac and cheese…), there have been several, mostly Shakespearean roles. My favorite, however, was Trinculo from _The Tempest_. I had an amazingly fun time with it, and really clicked with the Stephano character. So much so, that while the _Chicago Reader_ reviewed us, they absolutely panned the play, but said that when Stephano and I were not on stage we were ‘sorely missed’. Gave me a good feeling. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/4 "2004-03-15T21:20:52Z")
Take into consideration I actually did this for a living for a while. These are the ones I can remember right now. Please excuse spelling and vagueness. I’m at work. Musicals - Riff – _West Side Story_ Teveav (sp)–_Fiddler on the Roof_ Lazar–_Fiddler on the Roof_ Molly’s Father – _Unsinkable Molly Brown_ Chairman of Board/Ad dept. head —_How to Succeed…_ Ernst — _Cabaret_ Beaver Smith – _Billy the Kid_ Billis – _South Pacific_ Dolittle – _My Fair Lady_ Dramas - Stage manager - _Our Town_ H.A.W. Tabor - _Baby Doe Tabor_ Thrillers- Milo - _Sleuth_ Sidney - _Deathtrap_ Comedies- Mortimer – _Arsenic and Old Lace_ Dr. Einstein - _Arsenic and Old Lace_ Paul - _Barefoot in the Park_ Mr. Velasco - _Barefoot in the Park_ Husband - _Moon Over Buffalo_ Selsdon - _Noises Off_ Grandpa - _You Can’t Take It With You_ Father - _Brighton Beach Memoirs_ Boyfriend - _Best Laid Plans_ Will - _The Mouse that Roared_ Hemingway - _An Evening With Ernest Hemingway_ Numerous roles - _The Good Doctor_ Dolittle - _Pigmalion_ Shakespeare - Mercutio - _Romeo and Juliet_ Fool - _King Lear_ Caesar - _Julius Caesar_ Duncan/Doctor - The Scottish play Father - _Comedy of Errors_ ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/5 "2004-03-15T21:58:41Z")
Usually, I play the guy in black backstage who is trying not to be seen. My favorite such role was Stage Manager for “Noises Off”, especially as my name really is Tim ---
**Author:** ![Izzybella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e56c9b/32.png) [@Izzybella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Izzybella)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/6 "2004-03-15T22:06:40Z")
> [@Mausmagill](#): > > Usually, I play the guy in black backstage who is trying not to be seen. > > My favorite such role was Stage Manager for “Noises Off”, especially as my name really is Tim LOL! I love that play and I really needed the chuckle you just gave me. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/7 "2004-03-15T22:59:07Z")
I have a BFA in Acting and have done theater from fringe to pro as well as some television and independent film. If I posted my whole CV, you’d think I was bragging. 🙂 I just closed a production of _Dark Ride_ this past weekend. Excellent cast, good show. Previous faves include Touchstone in _As You Like It_ and the monologuist of “Gas” in the world premiere of Jose Rivera’s _Giants Have Us in Their Books._ I’m also proud to have created a complete original score for a new version of Brecht’s _Mother Courage and her Children_ (and performed in the ensemble). ---
**Author:** ![lightingtool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/57b2e6/32.png) [@lightingtool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lightingtool)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/8 "2004-03-15T23:54:20Z")
Well, back in my acting days, I guess my favorite role was the lead guy in “The Actor’s Nightmare.” Lots of fun physical comedy stuff. Oh, I also was one of he lead guys in “The Menaechmi.” Both shows were college productions. I’ve since worked on at least 100 different productions and traveled to 38 states working as a technician (usually lighting). I’ve found there’s a lot more work for good techs than good actors (not that I was one), and I enjoy it a hell of a lot more. Never really got into the acting stuff. YMMV, of course. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/9 "2004-03-16T02:52:39Z")
I’ve played a Nazi in _Anne Frank_, a cop in _My Fair Lady_, and a stagehand in _Done to Death_. Now I’m a stage manager. Fate? ---
**Author:** ![Orual](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orual](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orual)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/10 "2004-03-16T03:24:46Z")
The Gravedigger - _Hamlet_ A Sailor/Valentine/1st Officer - _12th Night_ Marshall Herrick - _The Crucible_ Rosencrantz - _Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead_ I’m a gal, but the only female role I’ve ever played was a Fury in an abridgement of the _Orestaia_. I miss my college drama group… ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/11 "2004-03-16T03:31:29Z")
Since I turned into a tech in college, I’ll start with **high school:** Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in _Anything Goes_ Mark Twain in _Twain by the Tale_ Nicely-Nicely Johnson in _Guys & Dolls_ Arthur in _Tell Me That You Love Me Junie Moon_ A role I don’t remember in _George M_ A Loony in _The Wiz_ (I had started my journey towards the dark side by this time, and was primarily the Stage Electrician) A few other roles I don’t remember, from plays that were just as memorable Four or five different roles in the outdoor drama _Strike at the Wind_ over five summers - among them a Scottish preacher, a confederate colonel, a white trash jailer, and one year, Stage Manager. **College:** (I was truly under the thrall of my new master by this time, and so I only acted in one show) [Bill The Chicken](http://www.theatre-dance.ecu.edu/Productions/Ozma/source/6.html) in _Ozma of Oz_. For a fun ‘Brush with Greatness’ - the guy in the drum major outfit in [this shot from the show](http://www.theatre-dance.ecu.edu/Productions/Ozma/source/2.html) is Kevin Williamson, who later went on to write _Scream_ **After college:** The Sherrif in _The Rainmaker_ The Priest in _Prelude to a Kiss_ Lou in _The 1940’s Radio Hour_ Mr Potter in _A Wonderful Life_ (the musical version of the Frank Capra film) Samuel Chase in _1776_ A Character whose name eludes me, in an original piece named _Damned in Eden_, a bio-play about John Barrymore that ran 3.5 hours long. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![acrossthesea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@acrossthesea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/acrossthesea)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/12 "2004-03-16T04:06:09Z")
I once played Gene Siskel in a bizarre original production where the girls played male roles and the guys played females. I was in a comedy troupe but I didn’t play anyone well known there. In high school I played a minor character dance student in Fame. With the Yokota Players I played the Mother in Barefoot in the Park. Oh and even though you said not to mention grade school but I am very proud of being Wendy #1 in Peter Pan in 1st grade. There were 3 girls playing the role, but I was the first and set the pace for the rest! I love acting and will get into more productions here (Wichita) soon, hopefully. ---
**Author:** ![MidnightRadio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@MidnightRadio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MidnightRadio)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/13 "2004-03-16T06:57:34Z")
In college: Padre Perez in _Man of La Mancha_. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/14 "2004-03-16T12:22:43Z")
High School: Jud Fry and Ali Hakim in a double-cast production of _Oklahoma!_ Mr. McAfee in _Bye Bye Birdie_ After college: Sir Lionel in _Camelot_ David in _Company_ The Beast in _Beauty and the Beast, Really_ I wrote a play called _A Little Slice of Heaven_ that gets produced now and then in community theater groups in Maryland, but I’ve never been in it. It takes the basic plot of a children’s book, _The King, the Mice and the Cheese_, rewritten as an episode of _Seinfeld._ ---
**Author:** ![Leechboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9fc348/32.png) [@Leechboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leechboy)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/15 "2004-03-16T13:08:53Z")
I generally like to keep behind scenes as a sound designer, writer of director plus I not a singer, so musicals are out for me. Packer - **Vinegar Tom** Father - **When Five Years Pass** Guildenstern - **Rozencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead** Iago - **Othello** (My first professional role) ---
**Author:** ![Farmwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8dc957/32.png) [@Farmwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmwoman)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/16 "2004-03-16T13:54:26Z")
Rosie in _Bye Bye Birdie_ Peter in _Peter Pan_ Tintinabula in _a funny thing happened on the way to the forum_ More villagers, townspeople, and chorus members than I can remember. More props, tech, stage manager, lights than I’ll ever forget. And Gloria in an off-broadway production of _A Good Man_ by Fred Stroppel Sigh, I hope my sons will want to join the local community theater when they get older, otherwise I don’t know how I’d ever find the time to do theater again. (of course, we’ve got this big and nearly empty barn…“let’s put on a show!”) ---
**Author:** ![the\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/17 "2004-03-16T14:19:35Z")
as with many who have commented already, more stage managing that I care to remember, but I did get dragged on stage for; **Mrs. Page** - Merry Wives of Windsor (hard to say “no” when the director tells you “I picked the play just for you. You have no choice” **Libby** - Opening Night **Chorus** - Evita ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/18 "2004-03-16T14:23:41Z")
Acted in College Nurse - **Romeo & Juliet** Gertrude - **Hamlet** Flo (mom) - **Picnic** Aunt Juliana - **Hedda Gabler** Domina - **Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum** Liz (Mother) - Ladyhouse Blues Lots of Stage Manager or AD, but favorite was make-up in Extremities (chemical burns!! woo hoo!) ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theater-people-what-roles-have-you-played/234495/19 "2004-03-16T15:41:46Z")
Assistant Second Deputy Sound Board Apprentice - _My Fair Lady_ First Tuba - _Pirates of Penzance_ Spotlight #2 (track Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Adelaide, Sister Sara) - _Guys & Dolls_ Jigger Craigin - _Carousel_ (UGH!) Prince Dauntless - _Once Upon a Mattress_ Matthew - _the fantasticks_ A very short “career” to be sure, but playing the tuba part for “The Major General’s Song” was a big perk.