The New Theatre Company is going rural with a production of "The Drawer Boy" by Michael Healey. The play about two farmers and a young actor who comes to live with them for research purposes has become the most widely produced regional play, both in the U.S. and Canada, where it was developed. It has been called poignant and full of rich savvy humor.
"It's a wonderful story, where art meets life," New Theatre Company artistic director David Blampied said. He stars in the play with Robert Rais and Kellan Williams. "Two peoples' lives are interrupted by another. Young Kellan plays an actor on a research project for his theatre company."
This part of the play is based on an actual event which playwright and actor Healey was a part of. A group of young actors, working with Toronto's Theatre Passe Muraille, lived and worked with farm families for a time. They collected stories from the people they met, and eventually produced "The Farm Show," which opened in Toronto and later toured parts of Canada.
It's currently in production at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, N.J., starring Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor John Mahoney, where it's receiving excellent notices. There is talk of a move to Broadway.
Mahoney, a member of the groundbreaking Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, is the play's main champion. After bringing it to Steppenwolf's attention, he appeared in its debut U.S. production in 2001 and later at the Abbey Theater in Dublin, Ireland.
The play has garnered its share of accolades. "The Drawer Boy" won four Dora Mavor Moore Awards in 1999, including Outstanding New Play. Time Magazine called it one of the top 10 plays in the country. It won a Governor General's Literary Award in 1999/2000 for Best English Drama, as well as the Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Plays Award for Best New Play.
"The Drawer Boy" takes place in 1972. The two middle-aged farmers, Morgan (Blampied) and Angus (Rais), are lifelong friends who have shared a home since World War II. Angus has a head injury, which keeps him dependent on Morgan.
"It's a classic play," director Pamela Sue Martin said. "It starts out light and funny and then it draws you into a very deep story of their lives. It's redemptive as well."
Martin directed "Proof" for New Theatre Co. several years ago and "This is Our Youth" last year.
"Working with David and Bob is great. They are so accomplished. Sometimes it takes them awhile to see it my way but they come around," she laughed.
Blampied said the play has a case of the "warm fuzzies." Though difficult subjects are raised by the prodding of the young man in their midst, "it has a nice resolution in many respects," as well as a sardonic sense of humor.
Williams was last seen on stage in the Wood River Valley in a Wood River High School production of "Hair" six years ago. After the play's run he is moving to Portland, Ore., to study electrical engineering at Portland State University.
Rais is enjoying his first production on stage since last summer's Shakespeare Festival show.
"It's a lot of fun and it's really a well written show. You understand why everyone wants to do it. It's got all the elements. It's funny and has some literary merit. It's heartwarming and has got a really broad appeal."
The all male cast with a female director is not unusual. The Paper Mill production has the same set up. It's easy to see why this could give the play extra emotional heft. While there's a bit of "Of Mice and Men" in "The Drawer Boy," the emotional ties and the secrets behind these ties are what gives the play its heart.
"The Drawer Boy" will certainly entertain the valley during its two weekend run, 8 p.m. Thursday, March 24, to Saturday, March 26, and Thursday, March 31, to Saturday, April 2. Tickets are available through the nexStage box office at 726-4tks.
The Sun Valley Performing Arts Center/nexStage Theatre announces its 2005 season
The New Theatre Company presents "The Drawer Boy," Thursday, March 24-26 and Thursday, March 31-April 2 and "Papa, A Day In The Life Of Ernest Hemingway," Sept. 23-25.
Off Center Stage presents "Laughing Wild," April 7-10 and 14-17.
C.A.S.T presents "Behind the Glass," April 29-30, May 1 and "Rats," Nov. 4-6.
Laughing Stock Theatre Company presents "Nunsense," May 26-30, June 2-5, and "Main Street Cabaret," July 29-31 and a mystery thriller Oct. 13-23.
Classic Theatre Company presents "The Emperor's New Clothes," June 9-15 and Moliere's "The Miser," Nov. 17-26.
St. Thomas Players presents "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," Oct. 6-9.
nexStage Play Reading series presents "Dirty Story," "Betty's Summer Vacation," "Marie and Bruce."
Sun Valley Shakespeare Festival "The Merry Wives of Windsor" Aug. 25-28, Sept. 1-4.
Several of these groups are being helped by funds from the SVPAC/nexStage's Producing Partners Program, including New Theatre, Laughing Stock and newcomers Off Center Stage and Classic Theatre Company
