In the Rough - The Blog of Joel McDonald Jr.

“I guess this is what I’ve dreamed of my whole life..”
- Lucas Brickman, Laughter on the 23rd Floor

I finally got what I wanted, although from an unexpected source. I’ve said that I wanted be cast as a real character, and not a caricature. But as it turns out, I’m having the damndest time getting my mind around playing Lucas Brickman, my role in Laughter on the 23rd Floor at Little Theatre of Virginia Beach. We open in less than a month and Lucas feels as foreign to me as anyone I’ve ever met.

Lucas is human. Shy, awkward and in awe of the company he is now keeping as a new writer on “The Max Prince” show on NBC.

It should be simple! But for some reason, I continue to miss the marks. I’m not shy enough, I’m not awkward enough, I’m not in awe enough. When I am in awe, I’m not shy, etc.

I don’t know why I’m so frustrated by the character. I think a lot of it has to do with the mask of the character being so thin. Lucas isn’t a character. He’s real, and there’s too much of me that comes out in his vulnerabilities. I hate it.

I hate hearing my voice coming through while rehearsing. I curse, swear, mutter, etc., etc., under my breath after almost every interjection (which is what Lucas provides for the majority of the show). I don’t want it to be me out there on the stage; the very throught of it frightens me.

But, I have to grow and become Lucas Brickman; the shy, awkward and awestruck junior comedy writer. I have to become him, and I have to be believable.

Yes, it’s really much about nothing; but it often feels like the weight of the world is on me to create this character, a real person, from very little.

“if I’m going to prove myself, I’ve got to do it fast…”

Virginian-Pilot article with some cast member information, their connections to showbiz, politics, and history in addition to information in newly added show times. [Read]

Reading reviews leaves one feeling humbled, sometimes a little hurt and humiliated, and wanting a chance to do better. It’s interesting to get a third party’s point of view. Here’s a couple more of 1776, with highlights quoted.

Shannon Dunlap of Portfolio: “Though the expected sour notes do appear at random, the vocal performances of the cast are unexpectedly good, and exponentially better than you would expect from community theatre.” [Read More]

PL Freebourne of OnHamptonRoads.com: “Little Theatre of Virginia Beach’s cast is replete with talent, particularly with some professional level acting from a couple of the leads and some great singing from the ensemble. ” [Read More]

Montague Gammon’s review of 1776 was published in this morning’s paper. The title: “Theatre’s 1776 is a salute to good performance”. For those who haven’t seen the show, or have and forgotten, his chosen title is a play on “Richard Henry Lee” as he prompts Adams and Franklin with “Gentleman, a salute to Virginia, the mother of American Independence!”. I have a lot of fun with that line, garnering a good chuckle from the audience as I give it. I’ve even got the orchestra mimicking my salute with a riding crop, only they’re using bows from their violins and other items around them. Much fun.

Overall, it’s a good review. Montague misspelled my name, but I suppose I should be tickled with the fact that I was even mentioned by name at all. Many actors got a wonderful mention and praise. Of me, Montague wrote, “Joel [McDonald] has great fun as the young, buffoonish, and self-centered Virginian Richard Henry Lee.” From there he segways into somewhat of a rant on how historically inaccurate the character is; a victim of the playwrights. I suppose I should take pride in having accomplished exactly the character that was written and not being anything like the man as he was.

Montague closes with “It’s fun to watch the conflicts of 1776 tunefully resolve themselves, and it’s essentially impossible not to applaud the subject, no matter the inconsistencies of acting abilities or historical veracity. It’s quite acceptable as a light-weight, light hearted summer diversion.”

You can read the entire review by clicking here.

Playing “Richard Henry Lee” in 1776 has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I could not have asked for much better a show and people to get my feet wet in theatre again. Literal-LEE, it’s been a blast and I wanted to do more. Even before opening night, I was making plans to serve on the crew for the next production at Little Theatre of Virginia Beach, Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor as Assistant Light Designer and work the light board during the show.

I still went to auditions for Laughter on the 23rd Floor to gain some good auditioning experience and to sort of bring some energy and comfort to those auditioning, especially those who might be auditioning for the first time. It’s always easier to be on stage when someone you’re auditioning with is comfortable and energizes the scene. I had consciously decided that I did not want a part in the show. I wanted to learn the theatre lighting system and also have a bit of a break between 1776 and whatever else I might go out for.

Well, as it turns out, my name was included when callbacks were announced. This very much surprised me, especially considering that I had told the director that I was not interested in having a part in her show, but in working on the crew. However, the cards fell in such a way that she and others felt that I should reconsider.

I spent a good part of yesterday considering whether I would accept a role if offered. I don’t mean to sound like some pompous jerk who feels himself too good for the show, or some male diva throwing his weight around. Trust me, if there is anyone who has second thoughts about what he can bring to the stage, it’s me. I just wasn’t sure if I really wanted to press my luck, or strain my time and energy, in attempting to be casted, rehearse, and then perform the show. By mid-day, I decided that doing the show was a great opportunity that I would be lucky to have if casted, and would accept a part if offered.

Tonight was callbacks, and it seemed that every combination of actors was used to read every part that was being considered. By the end of the night, I really had no idea where I stood. In fact, I doubted that I would be offered a part at all. Turns out, I was wrong. I was offered and I accepted the part of “Lucas Brickman”, the autobiographical character of Neil Simon as a young comedy writer on a television show. Lucas also serves as the show’s narrator.

I’m excited about being in Laughter on the 23rd Floor and the many things I will learn in the process. To those who gave me the nudge, I thank you. To those who will again be affected by my busy schedule, I apologize and hope I have your blessing.

Laughter on the 23rd Floor will be performed from September 12th to October 5th at Little Theatre of Virginia Beach.