Tag Archives: Night of January 16th

“Oh, for the Love of – !”

March 20, 2012 Tom Vander Well 3 Comments

I’ve been getting a lot of comments, shocked looks and awkward questions about my hair lately. For the past 25 years or so I’ve worn your basic clean cut, short cropped look. People get used to seeing you a certain way. I think its especially true of guys who tend to find the look that works (e.g. the woman likes it), takes the least amount of maintenance, and then sticks with it.

A year and a half ago I stunned people by shaving my head for the part of Daddy Warbucks. Clients started asking if I was sick, and people marveled that I was willing to do it. I have to admit that the natural ham in me had a blast with it. I even got a lot of compliments on the shape of my head, thank you very much. At least I know that if I must sport the bald look someday, I can effectively pull it off.

So, later this month I’m playing a 30’s era gangster (Lawrence “Guts” Regan) in Ayn Rand’s “Night of January 16th.” I’ve been growing my hair out and giving it some color so that I can pull off a John Dillinger style cut for the show. In order to attempt it, I first have to get it longer – a lot longer. So, I’m getting a lot of strange looks and laughs from family and friends who’ve never seen me try to pull off the long hair thing. I’m using “product” I did not know existed, and I’ve become very attached to hats. I was even told last night that with my generally out of control locks I look like my son-in-law, Clayton (who ironically just cropped his hair short a week ago like I normally wear it).

I’ve been working on an article for our local paper and was reminded the other night about the root of the word “amateur” which basically means one who does something for the love or pleasure of doing it. That’s the funny thing about doing community theatre. You’re a rank amateur. There’s no money in it. There’s no fame. There’s no glory. You do it for the love of it. You do it for kicks and grins and giggles. You do it because you have fun doing it and it fills your Life tank.

My mother is, I’m sure, hoping that “Hair” doesn’t make it on the schedule next year.

Hair (musical) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Theatre Journal, Wayfarer's Journal

Talk About a Bunch of Characters

March 4, 2012 Tom Vander Well Leave a comment

Me (center) as "Guts" Regan chatting at the party with ADA Flint (Doug DeWolf) and Police Detective Elmer Sweeney (Mark Schaeffer).

Wendy and I are currently rehearsing for Union Street Players’ production of Night of January 16th penned by acclaimed author Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead). It’s a Law & Order-esque courtroom drama about a sensational New York City trial in the mid-1930s. A Donald Trump type business mogul with no scruples and many enemies is found dead. His secretary and jilted lover is accused of the murder. The fun thing about the play is that the jury is seated with 12 members of the audience and they decide the ending of the play with their verdict.

Because it is a courtroom drama, most of the characters in the play do not interact with one another on stage. So, to have a little fun the show’s director threw a party on Friday night. Each of us were to dress for the party as our characters might dress in today’s fashion. For the first hour or two of the party, we interacted with one another in character and mingled, trying to learn more about each other. After a while the director called us together to take a little quiz with prizes going to those who could identify certain facts about the most characters.

Wendy as terpsichorean Roberta Van Rensselaar.

It was a fun evening. Wendy plays an exotic dancer and I play an Irish gangster and crime boss. We had a fun time hanging out and chatting with our fellow cast and crew members, both in character and as ourselves.

The show is Thursday, March 29th through Sunday April 1st. Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.unionstreetplayers.com.

Theatre Journal

Next!

January 29, 2012 Tom Vander Well 1 Comment

First hardback edition of book (1968) — Image via Wikipedia

I’ve had people asking me what’s next for Wendy and me with regard to our humble theatrical activities. Next up for Union Street Players is a fun little courtroom drama by famed writer Ayn Rand. It’s a murder trial whodunnit set in the 1920s. The murder victim was a Bernie Madoff type swindler. What’s cool about her Night of January 16th is that 12 members of the audience get to be the jury. Depending on how the jury decides, there are two different endings to the play.

Wendy and I both have minor roles, but I’m looking forward to playing Irish mobster “Guts” Regan. Aside from being on stage I’m also producing the show while Wendy handles the box office (you gotta love community theatre!). Rehearsals will start this week. Performances are March 29 – April 1.