The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing on Rumors? I’m the director of this production. I’ve been acting and directing in the area for over 20 years. I’m currently president of Dominion Stage in Arlington. What is it like being back in the theater after the long Covid-19 hiatus? Did you do any theater during the Covid-19 shutdown? Dominion Stage produced some excellent online content during the quarantine, including a filmed production, a staged reading of a previously-produced piece, and readings of our playwright contest winning entries, but I did not perform during the quarantine. Returning to the theatre, and working closely with a cast again, was both wonderful and exhausting after such a long hiatus. It took awhile to find my footing and rhythm again. We started on Zoom, then moved to in-person rehearsals about 3 weeks into the process. How does this show differ from other shows you have worked on? Because of the quarantine, I decided to cast actors who were

What do you find appealing about your character? this show? In some ways Ernie’s experience is like the play itself: of all the couples, my stage wife “Cookie” (played by my real-life wife Janice) and I have the most uncomplicated relationship; we’re just two genuinely nice people who've come to a friend's party to have a good time and take a break from work. But as the night goes on, things get more chaotic, and our usual no-nonsense, practical selves become more and more harried until we’re just as crazy as everyone else. It’s fun to work that dynamic arc, taking Ernie's cool, measured (if a bit pompous) psychoanalyst tone to nail-biting panic as his situation deteriorates. What have you learned about yourself in playing the role of “Ernie”? I’m really enjoying leaning into an acting role at a level I’ve not had to before. I'm finding something new in every performance, whether delivering a line, moving on stage, or reacting to another actor, and watching “Ernie”

What do you find appealing about your character and this show? Claire has the most delicious sarcasm and when is that not fun to play?! What have you learned about yourself in playing the role of Claire? Hmmm…that I am nothing like Claire.   People who know me well might disagree. What do you want the audience to experience/take away from this show? Given what we have all experienced over the last year and a half and how much pain and suffering so many have endured, I just want people to laugh from the minute the play starts until the very end. Just have an evening of fun. How does this show differ from other shows you have worked on? It has been as a delightful an experience as most of the other shows I have worked on. It is nice to be back inside the theatre after such a long hiatus due to Covid, on some levels it is like we never left and on other levels it is like a whole new world.   I did work on a couple of outdoor productions during Covid which was great. How