Shannon Dunlap calls the show, “more humourous than hilarious”.
The play gets off to a slow start, but the production gathers speed as the number of actors on the stage increases. The group chemistry lends a more relaxed feel, and the players seem more comfortable in large numbers. There are definite moments of slapstick, but overall the humor is sophisticated. The playbill cautions that there will be adult language, and it’s not kidding. I would have kept count, but I ran out of fingers and toes. And that was only the first 10 minutes. Would-be comedians provide their own rim-shots throughout the story.
Last week auditions were held for Little Theatre of Virginia Beach’s upcoming production of Robert Bolt’s A Man for All Seasons, which will be directed by Shirley Hurd.
Synopsis: The House of Tudor is in an uproar when Pope Clement VII refuses to give King Henry VIII an annulment from his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he can marry Anne Boleyn. Henry rebels from the Church of Rome by requiring his subjects to sign an Act of Supremacy making him both spiritual and temporal leader of England. Sir Thomas More, his Lord Chancellor, cannot in conscience comply. Neither Thomas Cromwell, Cardinal Wolsey nor the King himself can get a commitment from him. More’s resistance and silence are an act of treason that cost him a great deal.
I had some interest in playing Henry VIII, as this period would have been his younger days were he was fit and graceful, and not the rotund tyrant depicted in our history books. My second choice was to play Thomas Cromwell, as that character would have been a great study in being cool, shifty, and sly. After two shows in a row, it was either one of those two characters or none for me. While my audition and subsequent callback was decent, I was not casted. This forces me to take a bit of a break. Perhaps it is needed, as I certainly could use the time to focus on other things needing attention.
A few notables that were casted are Bill Vaughan, playing Duke of Norfolk; Mike Donavan, playing Archbishop of Canterbury; and Scott Rollins, playing Henry VIII.
I will likely be on the crew for this show as Assistant Light Designer and Light Board Operator. This will give me another opportunity to learn more about hanging and focusing lights for a production, programming light cues, and working the light board during shows.
Though the show doesn’t seem to have been much to his liking, Montague Gammon describes our cast as being ‘competent’. I suppose that’s better than being called bumbling idiots.
Performing in Little Theatre of Virginia Beach’s production of 1776 was an amazing experience. From the people I met to the challenge of playing Richard Henry Lee, my life was enriched in many ways. Thank you to all who made this show the success that it was!
Last week auditions were held for Little 
