Acting up

Now that life has returned to its normal frantic pace, instead of its overwhelming, breakneck, crushing your head craziness of the past six months, it’s time to get back on stage.

The last time folks saw me doing a bit of acting was in June, when I was portraying rich, benevolent, emotionally challenged Grandfather Laurence in an adaptation of Little Women. That was my third play in a year.

And now, post-election (I ran for city council), post-downsizing and moving houses, post-becoming a grandfather, it’s time to return to Willow Leaves of Hope in Hope, Indiana, for more Passion For Acting Theatre Co. productions.

Here’s what’s coming down the pike, as they say:

Dec. 2-3: I’ll be performing in a Christmas variety show, which will feature music, skits, and fun. I’ll be in the skit portion of the festivities, hopefully doing a fairly decent job as George Burns in a George and Gracie bit. If you don’t know who George and Gracie were, look them up on YouTube or some other device. Now, to find a cigar…

$35 includes a full meal and a show. Dec. 2, 6 p.m. Dec. 3, 1 p.m. Call 812-341-7251 for reservations.

Start time for Friday and Saturday shows is 6 p.m.; Sunday shows at 1 p.m.

Dec. 8-10, 15-17: I’ll be taking on 12 (count them, twelve) parts in It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. See me portray guardian angel Clarence Oddbody, as well as George Bailey’s kid brother, Harry Bailey, Sam “Hee-Haw” Wainwright, and a smattering of other characters in a show radio audiences would have had the opportunity to attend in the 1940s. You’ll hear the announcer prepare you for the show, hear and see sound effects being made right on stage, and watch a talented cast and crew perform an iconic Christmas story.

Oh, you want to know what other characters I’ll be playing? Fine. Here’s the list: Bert the taxi driver; Dr. Campbell from the building and loan board; Charlie, the building and loan customer who demands to withdraw his $242; Man at bank; Man at Martini’s bar; Horace the bank teller; the teacher’s husband, Mr. Welch; the sheriff; and Tommy, one of George and Mary’s kids. Whew!

Once again, $35 gets you a great meal and the show. Call 812-341-7251 for reservations.

My acting experience includes being an extra in two movies filmed in Franklin, Indiana, four radio-style plays, and three shows at Willow Leaves of Hope. I portrayed Vinnie, a poker player, in The Odd Couple in July 2022, starred as Irving Kaminsky in the two-person play, Kalamazoo, in February 2023, and then there was Grandfather Laurence.