Today is World Theatre Day

I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t miss the stage.

If first fell in love with live theatre when I was in seventh grade. My history teacher was starring in a community theater production of “The Man in the Dog Suit.”

A couple of years later, when the same company did a very tame version of “Cabaret” my adolescent heart fell for Sally Bowles.

Still later, when I was a junior, I got my own chance to be on that stage when I joined the chorus of “Anything

Anything Goes, Giles Little Theatre, 1975

Goes.” I got the chance to do that show again at Ft. Lee (now Ft. Gregg-Adams) in 2018.

In college, after changing to a communications major, I took all the drama courses available.

But, when I graduated, I didn’t think I could make it in the theater world, so I set it aside.

It wasn’t until nearly 20 years later that my wife, also an accomplished actress, and I joined the Music and Fine Arts Ministry at West End Assembly of God that we were able to return to the stage.

For more than twenty years we were part of that ministry appearing in the annual Christmas and sometimes Easter productions where we ministered to thousands. Sadly, that ministry fell victim to COVID and changing times.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Dogwood Dell, July & August, 2012 (Potiphar)

In 2012, I took a chance and branched out to the local theatre scene. I was cast in a community production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”

I was one of Egypt’s Millionaires.

Since then I’ve been in multiple productions, worked in theatre management, and have even tried my hand at directing.

My original script “Clean Dry Socks: Diary of a Doughboy” premiered with River City Community Players a few years back. Just a few weeks ago an adapted version of the play was produced in Arizona.

Just before things fell apart last fall, I appeared with a good friend in “The Sunshine Boys.”

And, while I may be rolling by wheelchair, in a few weeks we begin rehearsals for “Honky Tonk Hissy Fit” the third in the “Doublewide, Texas” series. I directed the first two for Chamberlayne Actors Theatre pre-pandemic.

I realize that this post is reading a bit like my theatrical resume. It’s just that theatre has been a large part of who I am.

It’s possible that theatre is also the reason my novel isn’t finished. But that’s another unwritten story.

Beyond the directing gig I don’t know what my future theatre involvement will look like.

A lot depends on my recovery. That and the fact that I’m keeping the Santa look these days can limit available roles. And that’s okay.

I’ve come to terms with the fact that the window of opportunity for my three bucket list roles – Tevye, Edna,and Big Daddy – has closed. I’m mostly okay with that.

Even without the bucket list roles I’ve had some incredible opportunities.

So, I’ll continue to support live theatre and be involved where I can. That’s the important thing.

A friend brought me a stack of scripts to read while I’m still here in rehab. I’m enjoying reading through them to pass the time.

I need a director or a script writer to tell me how to end this post. Am I exiting as an actor, a director, or a writer?

Perhaps it’s exit stage write?

Today is World Theatre Day

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