The Understudy
About the Play
Charged with running the understudy rehearsal for the production, Roxanne finds her professional and personal life colliding when Harry, a journeyman actor and her ex-fiancé, is cast as the understudy to Jake, a mid-tier action star yearning for legitimacy. As Harry and Jake find their common ground, Roxanne tries to navigate the rehearsal with a stoned lightboard operator, an omnipresent intercom system, the producers threatening to shutter the show and her own careening feelings about both actors and her past. Will the show go on? THE UNDERSTUDY is a dazzling and humanistic look at people trying to do what they love in the face of obstacles that mount until all anyone can do is dance.
The Understudy is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
“What’s the play about?” Harry, the understudy, asks and is told “It’s about meaning”. I love this play within a play, both of them about meaning, and chaos, and trying to take control of our lives. Kafka’s vision may be dark, but the same situation can be comedic when two actors and a stage manager struggle through a rehearsal. The Understudy is also about theatre and the playwright, Theresa Rebeck’s, love of the stage and the people involved with theatre. “This is a crazy business,” Jake says, and I hope you’ll join us in our love of this crazy business. – Kathleen Denkewalter
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Welcome to North Vancouver Community Players’ production of The Understudy. This is our last production of the 2014-2015 season. Please be sure to pick up a brochure for our upcoming 2015-2016 season. We know that you will love the choices. If you are not already a season ticket holder, now is the time to sign up so that you avoid missing one of our wonderful plays! We hope that you will leave Hendry Hall tonight having enjoyed a wonderful evening of live entertainment. If you would like to join into the fun on and off stage, please check out our website North Van Community Players under the section Volunteer. We would love to have you aboard! – Fran Heaney
| Character | Played by |
| Harry | Nick Palidwor |
| Jake | Mark Campbell |
| Roxanne | Tracy Labrosse |
| Laura | Sandy Branning |
| Director | Kathleen Denkewalter |
| Author | Theresa Rebeck |
| Production Manager | Shirley Helgason |
| Stage Manager | Kathy Bradley |
| Set Design and Decoration | Mitchell Mackay |
| Set Construction | Gordon Pope, and David Read |
| Set Construction Assistantsq | Michael Morabito, Gary Logan, Rob Grover, and Dan Taillon |
| Properties | Andrew Massil, and Liz Massil |
| Lighting Designer | Michael Methot |
| Sound Designers | Jayden Lucas |
| Lighting and Sound Operator | Sandy Branning |
| Music Co-ordinator | Peter Zednik |
| Costumes | Margaret Lee |
| Social and Media Co-ordinators | Jennifer Morabito, and Pam Kearns |
| Choreographer | Leigh Richards |
| Graphic Artist | Linda Sharp |
| Publicity and Program | Anne Marsh |
| Front-of-House Coordinator | Ray Boucher |
| Box Office | Sue Worrow |
| Photographer | Gary Schwartz |
| Videographer | Chris Wolfe |
| Original Performance Dates | May 29 to June 13, 2015 |
| Venue | The Theatre at Hendry Hall, North Vancouver, BC |
| Production Length | 1 hour and 40 minutes |
| Production Style | Dark Comedy |
| Special Thanks To | Lucid Solutions Inc., Showmax Events, Dominique Labrosse, Sign-a-Rama |
| Kathleen Denkewalter | Director – Kathleen has worked in almost all areas of community theatre in Vancouver and on the North Shore for over 25 years. The last play she directed for North Vancouver Community Players was Three Days of Rain, which won the award for Best Production in the 2010 Theatre BC North Shore Zone Festival of Plays. She thanks the cast, crew and production team of this show for their hard work, dedication and creative input, “It has been a delight working on The Understudy with such a great team.” |
| Mark Campbell | Jake – This is Mark’s third production with North Vancouver Community Players. He has performed in All This and Moonlight and A Walk in the Woods, both directed by Heather Sharpe. Before becoming a Vancouver-based actor, Mark discovered the craft in the Cayman Islands, where he performed in two plays with the Cayman Drama Society. He would like to thank Kathleen for this opportunity and the entire cast and crew who have been wonderful to work with. A special thanks goes to Stacy, who helped him “get off book”! |
| Tracy Labrosse | Roxanne – Tracy is thrilled to be back at the cutest little theatre in the Lower Mainland. She was last seen at Hendry Hall in Having Hope at Home. Previous NVCP credit include The Trouble With Richard, Doubt, and Moon Over Buffalo. Other favourites include The 39 Steps and And Then There Were None (Metro Theatre), Wait Until Dark (Vagabond Players—CTC Best Actress award), Bedroom Farce and The Underpants (That Other Theatre Company), and Living Together (Theatre West Van). Tracy kindly requests that you keep the centre aisle clear of various limbs, unruly handbags and, most importantly, drinks—as the lighting and sound technician can be unreliable, and Roxanne may need to climb those steps to sort her out! |
| Nick Palidwor | Harry – Nick was thinking he might take a break after his last show, but he made the mistake of reading the script for The Understudy, and here he is. He would like to thank Kathleen and the whole production crew for letting them be actors, to play and experience life in its full glory. Thanks to Tracy and Mark for everything they do, and sorry for having to deal with such a “Harry” situation., Select credits include: Nurse Jane Goes to Hawaii and The Drawer Boy (both for NVCP), Leading Ladies (Deep Cove Stage Society) and Living Together (Theatre West Van). Nick is most thankful for the love and support from his family, friends and his everything, Camille. |