The Courier

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 9:49am

So you turned down the Tony winning role?

[WOSQ]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 9:57am

A scene stealing over-the-top Tony winning show-stopping comedy song-and-semi-dance/strut role that makes everyone else on stage disappear when its done right?

"Anything can make you cry. An onion can make you cry. Can an onion make you laugh?"

So said Tallulah Bankhead at least along those lines.

Call them up and say you reconsidered or something.

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 9:59am

Well...I guess I understand...since the Courier is a relatively small role...you'd have more time to dedicate to classes.

But turning down Lee? Damn!

Updated On: 3/9/06 at 09:59 AM

[WOSQ]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 10:41am

The Courier has one song and virtually no book scenes. Ugh.

Any actor with a lick of sense can nail that part and make the audience all weepy is what I mean, but not everyone can play comedy.

Hero is a bit of everything however. Every show has at least one character whose actions spur the plot along--I call it the work horse role. In Forum's case, oddly it is Hero. This work horse is usually not the stock juvenile role.

Plus as Hero you get to show off your legs! Get thee to the gym.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 11:05am

In real terms maybe 16-24. You know, a 'juvenile': boyish adult, young leading man, open faced, the 'Boy' as in "Boy Meets Girl".

However actors being actors, some playing Hero have probably been 40-45-50 if they were a day and hoped for lots and lots of soft pink and bastard amber. (Note those two gel colors for future reference. Everybody has needed them at one point or another.)

And don't let your classes get in the way of your education.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 11:08am

AHHHH Go back and take Lee. DO IT. I would give my right arm to be male and play any of those roles. If you don't take it, I will.

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 11:11am

Hero is drippy. When I did Forum, I auditioned for Hero but got Hysterium. And it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened.

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 11:36am

Dude. Yes. A thousand times yes. Not only is it a great part, but you'll be setting a bad precedent with that director if you come in single-minded about getting a certain part and refusing to consider any other parts.

[robbiej]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 11:39am

Take the damn part.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 12:01pm

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY.

You have chosen... wisely.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 1:05pm

And you have to keep us posted about Lee and Hero.

Just try anything with Lee and see if the director pulls you back. He's a bit of a buffoon. Lee, not the director. Well, not necessarily....

Have a blast.

A warm hand on your opening and may your parts grow bigger and better.

Xx

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 3/9/06 at 6:02pm

Forwarrrrrrd hooooo!

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 1:26am

I'm glad you've taken the part. However, in a similar story; I auditioned for The Courier at the peak of a combination of strep throat and mono. I still landed the part against some ungodly talented guys my age...

Are you in a company that you would be suited to play RHL in? Or rather will your age compliment the rest of the cast?

1776 is really one of possibly 2 or 3 shows that I would respect that unless I would fit properly into the cast (age wise) I would NEVER do that. It would be like taking the Overture out of GYPSY...It can be done, but what a slap in the face!

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 1:00pm

The majority of the men of the actual 2nd Cont. Congress were between in their 30s and 40s (with the exception of Franklin, and Rodney).

If anything, they should have cast you as Thomas Jefferson, who was one of the youngest in Congress. Casting you as RHL was yes, a stupid move. But anyhow, Congrats

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 1:47pm

Rutledge, at 26, was actually the youngest. Jefferson was 33 at the time, or at least in the show.

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 1:48pm

Disagree, disagree. It wasn't stupid. Age should not be the primary consideration when casting this show -- especially when it's (I'm assuming this is a community-type production) one that has a small field of auditioners. I mean, you wouldn't want a 15-year-old John Dickinson or an 85-year-old John Adams, but smaller age differences don't matter. That's why it's called acting. And that's why you use makeup.

Besides, everyone looks old in those colonial wigs. Give your director the benefit of the doubt, unless you have some pre-existing reason not to.

Updated On: 3/10/06 at 01:48 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 2:15pm

send us a pic in your Forum Toga

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 2:34pm

Who, me?

[djjd007]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 3:53pm

I played the dickhead - I don't remember his name - one of the three from Delaware... I was 16, being by far the youngest in a company of 30-60 somethings. The courier was played by somebody in their early thirties (even though he looked 35 at best). Even though my audition was one of my best ever and I really wanted the courier (I have since retired from performing), I don't regret not getting the role. I had a blast and there was far less pressure. Granted Lee is a larger role, but you still get to holler SIT DOWN JOHN and I absolutely loved doing that every night. Regardless, my point is, age ain't nothing but a number.

[grizzabella]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 7:24pm

Carpe diem, bustinloose. Obviously, the director had you tapped for Lee from the get-go. Enjoy the experience. Lee is a truly enjoyable role to watch, and you do indeed get to yell "Sit down, John!" I'm sure the class will be there next semester.
Bravo!

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/10/06 at 8:07pm

You definitely should take the part, if you still can.

I played Rutledge years ago (one of my best experiences on stage ever), and am very familiar with all the roles in 1776.

Count your blessings, sir! You got handed a gem of a part.

Courier = break the audience's heart
Lee = stop the friggin' show! He even has a built-in encore written in for his song. What's not to love?

Updated On: 3/10/06 at 08:07 PM

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 3/11/06 at 12:18am

djjd, you played George Read :)