JONESBOROUGH REPERTORY THEATRE

Jonesborough Repertory Theatre’s “The Nerd,” set to open Thursday, may be about the frustration and humor often found in life, but for this small seven-person cast, it’s even more about family.

“A friend of mine had seen it in college and said it was a really funny show,” said Kathleen Buttolph, director of JRT. The play was funny, she said, and JRT decided it would be their next comedy.

But it was the cast’s immediate rapport that really struck her.

“It’s a young cast,” Buttolph said. “And they all want to hang out after rehearsals.

“They just have a good time.”

Cast members agree.

“The best part is getting to work with old friends and new and getting to explore a different character,” said Rachel Gloess, who play Clelia Waldgrave.

For Mary Katherine Shull, who travels from Gate City every rehearsal night to perfect her role of “Tansy McGinnis,” the praise is even more sharply focused.

“It’s the cast,” she said simply. “It’s been a blast.”

That staff camaraderie means even better performances, Buttolph believes. “It refreshes my energy,” she admitted. And she can’t wait until Thursday night’s first performance to watch it all come together.

Written by Larry Shue and directed by Buttolph, “The Nerd” tells the story of Willum Cubbert, whose life was saved in Vietnam by one “Rick Steadman.” Cubbert had never had the chance to meet Steadman, until his 34th birthday — a day in which everything in life seems to be falling apart in his life. Worse yet, he discovers his hero is the most obnoxious, annoying and inept individual he has ever met. And the only thing he wants is for him to leave — NOW!

In addition to Gloess and Shull, the cast stars Chalmer Harper as Cubbert; Mike Lilly as Axel Hammond; John Beard as Warnock Waldgrave, 9-year-old T.J. Riddle as Thor Waldgrave and B.J. Roberts as the annoying Rick Steadman.

Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors. Eight performances are scheduled. Thursday – Saturday, February 23 – 25 and March 2 – 4 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 26 and March 5 at 2 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 753-1010.

Buttolph said she can’t wait until Thursday night’s first performance to watch it all come together. She also believes that the closeness of the cast echoes the community in which it operates.

Buttolph still remembers those first days at the JRT, when its reputation was nearly nonexistent and two raccoons lived upstairs.

Now, thanks to the town government and its citizens, she sees the JRT as becoming a respected fixture of Old Town

“The town has always seen the theatre as a real value,” Buttolph said. “If they weren’t supportive, I wouldn’t be here.”

With that support, Buttolph believes the theatre is flourishing, with sold-out performances, visiting performers – and this Saturday the kick off of a musical guaranteed to make you laugh.

“I’ve had a lot of people say, ‘I never knew this place was here,’” Buttolph said.

Now, she believes it’s becoming a theatre to be reckoned with.

Article courtesy of johnsoncitypress.com

Home     Upcoming Events    Tickets    Classes     About the Theatre    Getting Here     Contact Us