“This kind of theater is what I live in,” says Bruce Randolph Nelson. “High comedy, high camp, ridiculous, outrageous, better.”
Wearing a wig, flock and fake teeth assortment to play multiple roles, Nelson is currently starring alongside Zack Powell in the lively and hilarious production of Charles Rum’s Quick Change Horror Spoofing at Everyman Theatre The mystery of Irma Vep. He starred in Everyman’s First The Play, a 2009 hit film directed by Ludlam’s partner Everett Quinton.
“Everett came to our process with a very clear idea, keeping in mind what worked in the previous productions he went on,” recalls Nelson. “I don’t know that we’ve been given a long leash so that we can discover and find things. He’ll block and make every bit of it all known.
This time, under the direction of Joseph W. Litsch, [with] I’ll add 2 cents [show’s] Nelson of the company said, “I had a lot of time to play around with the script and figure out how to make it my own. In many ways, this is a brand new experience for me.”
However, the production is also ranked 50th for award-winning actors, and he is a member of a longtime resident company. “I think my first show was back in 90 years – and that was it CrucibleHe says. “I was originally cast on the court scribe side, but when another actor couldn’t commit to his role, Nelson bumped into the role of Rev. Hale.
“Amazing role,” he gushed. “He’s going to Elizabeth Proctor and if she doesn’t, she’ll die, so she has to break away. It’s a beautiful scene. In general, Hale’s efforts to help a dismembered community hold it together. My first production.
Growing up between North Carolina, Louisiana and New Jersey, former Army Bratt found his home on the Baltimore stage before defeating his roots in Columbia, Maryland. And with 50 shows, he is still spending his life time.
“It’s been a while since I loved making theatres just like I have. Irma VepHe says. “And it was a particularly frightening prospect that it was approaching the third time at almost 60.” However, time does not appear to have slowed a bit, and time certainly does not darken the drama’s brilliance or its destructive spirit.
As Nelson points out, laughing, “Who knew that the man would violate again?
The mystery of Irma Vep It will be held until June 22nd at Everyman Theater at 315 W. Fayette St. in Baltimore, Maryland. Tickets range from $45 to $99 and Pay-Cuse seats are available for all performances. Call 410-752-2208 or visit Everymantheatre.org.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
