Ann
Ipock
Humorist,
author, speaker
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Georgetown
Times
On stage, hubby
can talk without me interruping
By Ann Ipock March
22, 2006
It’s “play time” again around here in the Ipock household.
Not “play” in the sense of child’s play. In fact, it’s
actually WORK, when you get right down to it — but, it’s rewarding
work.
Russell will be on stage once again at Murrells Inlet Community Theatre,
when he plays the part of businessman, Walter Chepple, in the comedy,
“Saving Grace.” It begins Thursday and runs through Saturday
night with a matinee Sunday, for two consecutive weekends.
Russell will be part of a cast of five, including Steve Gonzalo, Karen
Porter, and husband-and-wife team, Jen and Tim Thomas. The director is
Wayne Hester, who just happens to be married to our associate minister,
the Rev. Scarlett Tanner Hester.
We’d like to think this is a blessing. But, in reality, it could
be a curse if the rehearsals go on and on. Wayne could get even get a
little testy — not that he would! Oh, no, not Wayne; he is soooooo
patient. But he’s also a feisty little booger. Why, I’ve seen
him jump onto the stage in one high leap, demonstrate how NOT to turn
your back to the audience, dash to the back of the theater for a sound
check, and land squarely in his chair before you could say “Shakespeare.”
Luckily, rehearsals are going great and I know, because I sat through
one recently. Wayne is such an upbeat, smiling kinda guy that you just
want to please him.
This is Russell’s second play. His first was “Other People’s
Money” where we acted together. Talk about fun! I highly recommend
it for couples. It’s better therapy than marriage counseling and
it’s easier on your relationship, say, than building a new home
together. It was pretty nutty around here with both of us rehearsing lines
out loud and seemingly talking to ourselves. Sounded kind of like a sea
of monks chanting continually.
Folks who know Russell — a laid back, somewhat quiet, serious type
of guy (till you get to know him) — can’t believe he is on
stage. He takes it in stride and just grins when complimented. But he
and I both know that few things feel better than the rush of adrenaline
from the laughs and head-nods during the show; and especially the thundering
applause during the final curtain call.
Still, a person who has never acted cannot begin to imagine the hard work,
energy and time commitment it takes to make a play successful. And with
us baby boomers, just remembering lines is a real miracle! Plays consume
you 24/7 — you’re that focused on them.
You might remember 6,000 words of dialogue, but during those couple of
months, you might forget to put gas in your car. I’ve “run”
lines with Russell probably a dozen times and every time I do, I am truly
amazed at how well he knows this stuff. It’s also interesting how
the mind works: You pick up cues from fellow actors to help you get the
dialogue down; for instance, you hear “gold” and you remember
“flashlight.” Here’s an example: “It’ll
be a miracle if I find my GOLD ring in this dark hall.” The other
person says, “How ’bout I go and get a FLASHLIGHT?”
Every now and then, a line gets dropped when the cue isn’t given
and that’s when you pray for a recovery. Miraculously, someone always
get the dialogue back on track, thereby “saving” the show.
There’s also much team work and volunteer hours put into community
theater. That’s another reason it’s so special — that,
and the fact that low budgets cause resourceful, creative ways of building
stages and furnishing wardrobes on a shoe string.
Other things often get donated: the use of wigs, furniture, even make-up.
Then there are also the physical jobs that come about: as I mentioned,
directing; but also producing, lighting, sound, stage manager, make-up,
refreshments, cleanup and ticket sales. And of course, getting the word
out.
All this is to say, please come out and enjoy this comedy which employs
some slick moves and clever foils. There are mistaken identities, comedies
of error, juxtapositions, mistaken celebrations, crossed romances and
bungled up boss/employee relations.
And the best part of all: Russell can talk all he wants without me interrupting,
asking questions or taking over. And even I must admit that’s a
good thing! Y’all come out now, y’hear?