# Theatrical Dopers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 24, 2004, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856 "2004-05-24T19:11:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2004, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/1 "2004-05-24T19:11:25Z")
My theater company has just started rehearsals for this summer’s production of _H.M.S. Pinafore_, and I have been cast in the role of Dick Deadeye (Arrrrrrrr). I already know the part, having performed it a few years back, and so I plan to kick back and enjoy the season. Any other Dopers preparing to tread the boards in the near future? ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/2 "2004-05-25T19:52:25Z")
What, nobody? ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Jenny\_Haniver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Jenny\_Haniver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenny_Haniver)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/3 "2004-05-25T20:26:25Z")
Heck, it’s worth replying just to plug the show: I’m performing in **The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)** this June. I’m playing the part of “Adam.” (Yay, gender-blind casting!) The production is in an outdoor ampitheatre, so here’s hoping the cicadas get their rocks off with due haste. Meep! ---
**Author:** ![Sangre\_Azul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@Sangre\_Azul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangre_Azul)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/4 "2004-05-25T20:34:25Z")
Does toiling in the pit in _A Little Night Music_ count? That’s my main gig for September and part of October. I’ve already got a clicker ready to track the inevitable “Send in the Clowns” jokes that my beloved family and friends are sure to send my way. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/5 "2004-05-25T20:54:35Z")
> [@Jenny Haniver](#): > > Heck, it’s worth replying just to plug the show: I’m performing in **The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)** this June. I’m playing the part of “Adam.” (Yay, gender-blind casting!) > > The production is in an outdoor ampitheatre, so here’s hoping the cicadas get their rocks off with due haste. Meep! I just bought a copy of that show on DVD. It’s a riot! And to think I forgot about auditions last time that it was performed locally. Break a leg! ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/6 "2004-05-25T21:06:19Z")
I’m playing Anthony Kirby next week in a production of _You Can’t Take It With You_. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it because it’s a nice change of pace from my usual roles (I tend to be given the manic over the top comic characters [e.g. Teddy from _Arsenic & Old Lace_ {I so resembled TR, incidentally, that it was frightening- I’d never noticed the natural resemblance before}], Renfield in _Dracula_) that it was nice to play a relatively normal role (one that even has a dramatic scene at that). I’m auditioning for _Music Man_ in a few weeks and will accept the lead role, Marcellus or the Mayor but nothing less: this isn’t being a prima donna but because I hate small roles in musicals as they’re a huge time commitment for little challenge. My dream roles (which I’ve never played other than in the frequent late-night towel clad one-man shows for the benefit of my perplexed terrier) would be Henry Higgins or Doolittle in _My Fair Lady_, John Adams or John Dickinson in _1776_, Salieri in _Amadeus_ or Dysart in _Equus_ (especially if I could cast the guy who plays Alan [a role requiring a nude scene]). ---
**Author:** ![Jenny\_Haniver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Jenny\_Haniver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenny_Haniver)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/7 "2004-05-25T21:19:56Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I’m auditioning for _Music Man_ in a few weeks and will accept the lead role, Marcellus or the Mayor but nothing less: this isn’t being a prima donna but because I hate small roles in musicals as they’re a huge time commitment for little challenge. Huh. I ususally find that in the big classic “money-maker” musicals, the secondary roles are the ones worth having, if you’re interested in playing something other than ingenue or bad guy. But, the chorus does tend to get shafted, can’t fault you there. I ususally figure doing the background roles is all part of paying your dues so that the production team knows you as a reliable player when you come out for other shows they work on. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/8 "2004-05-25T22:12:12Z")
**Sampiro** and I sound like a pretty close match, theatrically. I’ve done little aside from Gilbert & Sullivan over the past ten years, but my non-G&S dream roles are along the same lines. Higgins in _My Fair Lady_ is definitely at the top of my list. _1776_ is another of my favorites, but I’m too large to play Adams – Dickenson, Rutledge, or Ben Franklin would be my choices. I’d go for the same three roles in _The Music Man_ that **Sampiro** chose, though I probably wouldn’t refuse lesser parts. Other favored roles would be Tevye in _Fiddler on the Roof_ (I’ve played Lazar Wolf), the Poet in _Kismet_ (I’ve played the Wazir, which is also a lot of fun), and Jonathon in _Arsenic and Old Lace_. ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/9 "2004-05-25T22:48:46Z")
I’m probably going to be in a local educational children’s theatre (7yrs - high school) production of Oliver this summer, and possibly also Li’l Abner,(high school - college). ---
**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:** [May 25, 2004, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/10 "2004-05-25T23:22:33Z")
I did a summer of rep last year and I think I am still recovering. Anyway, my job has changed and I have less time to. I was asked to direct a season of outdoor drama but I simply don’t have the time. TV ---
**Author:** ![SparrowHawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac8455/32.png) [@SparrowHawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SparrowHawk)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/11 "2004-05-25T23:49:37Z")
Does treading around the boards count? The **Hawklette** is a techie and will be running sound for a local theater this summer. Dunno what they’re doing, though, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Gartog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/22d042/32.png) [@Gartog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gartog)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2004, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/12 "2004-05-25T23:52:32Z")
Not sure what I’m doing in the summer (Which probably means nothing), but I’ll be in my final year of studing for a BA in Drama next year (Well this September) so will be performing in a production of something, as well as AD-ing on a production. After Christmas I’ll be auditioning for _The Merchant of Venice_ and directing an as yet unchosen production as well 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/13 "2004-05-26T14:31:19Z")
So much for my laid back season. Due to the miracle of double casting, I have now been assigned two lead roles. Instead of playing Dick Deadeye one evening and singing in the chorus the next, I’ll be alternating between Dick Deadeye and Captain Corcoran. Not that I’m complaining. It is, after all, a compliment of the highest order to be so entrusted. I’d just better not get sick again. The director will have my head on a pike. Ah, the joys of unpaid community theater. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Izzybella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e56c9b/32.png) [@Izzybella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Izzybella)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/14 "2004-05-26T15:17:01Z")
I’m trying really, really hard to actually graduate this summer with my BFA in theatre. Owing to the fact I have to take night classes this summer to finish, I didn’t audition for anything. I’ll be thinking of all of you people who get to have fun doing HMS Pinafore and Kaufman and Hart type stuff while I’m sitting in math class all summer…not jealous…not jealous…nope… ---
**Author:** ![Jenny\_Haniver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Jenny\_Haniver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenny_Haniver)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/15 "2004-05-26T18:53:24Z")
**Izzy,** just pretend you’re doing character research for _Proof_. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Izzybella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e56c9b/32.png) [@Izzybella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Izzybella)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2004, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theatrical-dopers/246856/16 "2004-05-26T19:44:16Z")
> [@Jenny Haniver](#): > > **Izzy,** just pretend you’re doing character research for _Proof_. > 😉 There you go…but isn’t Catherine **good** at math?? I’ll have to use my imagination for sure!