A Few of My Favorite Roles

Okay, since I’ve been involved in theatre for nearly my entire life and am one of the hosts of The Art and Business of Community Theater (which, as of this writing at least, is still the only podcast dedicated to advancing community/amateur theater) I figure it’s about time to list a few favorite roles I’ve had the privilege to perform over the years:

1. Pseudolus from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: based on the number of times I’ve done this role (three) it’s clearly my favorite and one I would do again in a heartbeat if offered the chance. As the protagonist of this classical musical farce Pseudolus has the most action, words, and songs, but I would argue he also has the most fun. The character has been played on Broadway by the late great Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers (who originally turned down the part), Nathan Lane, and, for one Tony Award winning scene, Jason Alexander among other notable actors. Interestingly enough, the character is based on an actual ancient Roman character created by Plautus.
2. Oliver Warbucks from Annie: I played “Daddy Warbucks” twice! IYKYK.
3. Big Daddy from A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: the other daddy wasn’t nearly as nice as Warbucks ended up being. Who doesn’t love to play on of Tennessee William’s best known characters – though I’m sure I didn’t hold a candle to Burl Ives’ perfect portrayal in the movie.
4. Lenny from Of Mice and Men: though I didn’t, and don’t, have the imposing stature of Lenny as described in the novella, the director managed to find a cast that was, with one notable exception, smaller and shorter than me so it all worked out in the end. The biggest complement I got was afterwards when a friend who had a sister who was special needs told me that I played Lenny with dignity and without making a caricature of him as so often happens.
5. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer from an unnamed elementary school play: the first role I was cast in back in fourth grade. No lines but I think I managed to get the deep pathos of the character across.
6. Bertha Bumiller and the gang from the Tuna series: I’ve had the pleasure of being in all four of the Greater Tuna plays (Greater Tuna, A Tuna Christmas, Red, White and Tuna, and Tuna Does Vegas) so though Bertha is my favorite in these series of two-performer plays (usually two men) I’ve played several of the characters up to four times.
7. Albert from Escanaba in ‘Da Moonlight: He’s da epitome of a perfect Yupper. I said “Yupper” not “Yuppie,” two different tings. Look it up.
8. Poppa Goat from The Billy Goats Gruff: the first role I remember playing in a masterwork that I wrote, produced, and directed in my parents’ back yard with my siblings and kids from the neighborhood to the everlasting delight of our collective parents. All who paid a dime to watch us perform!

These are the roles that first came to mind when I decided to share a list of my favorites. But there have been may others. That’s the beauty of community theatre. Stick with it and you’ll play more roles than Hollywood’s biggest stars could ever dream of! Who needs fame and fortune when you can play Jonathon Brewster, Teddy Brewster, and Dr. Einstein in three different productions of “Arsenic and Old Lace?”

I’d love to see what your favorite roles have been! Maybe we even have a few in common.