What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1483945
APRIL WALLACE NWA Democrat-Gazette W hat happens when big-time Hollywood descends on a small town to make a movie? Audiences can find out in the tragicomedy "Stones in His Pockets," which opened last week at TheatreSquared in Fayetteville. The production, written by Marie Jones, premiered in 1996 and was an Olivier Award Winner for Best New Comedy. In this iteration, actors Jason M. Shipman and Josh Jeffers portray more than a dozen characters — many of them Irishmen in a small town being cast as extras in an epic American movie. "It's a virtuosic celebration of the actor's craft and imagination, as they each play multiple characters," says Bob Ford, T2 artistic director, as he alludes to the parallel for locals, now that more movies are being made on our turf. "And … it's a scenario we're seeing a lot in Northwest Arkansas. It's funny and quirky and ultimately very touching. And it's Irish, for Pete's sake!" To create the signature stone walls and look of the Irish countryside, a handful of TheatreSquared artisans and a design team spent time in the woods studying rock textures and moss, then pored over photographs of the Irish countryside to find "just the right level of nuance to bring this world to life," Ford says. "Every detail you see or hear represents scores, even hundreds, of discarded choices." The first time that Jason Shipman had a chance to work on "Stones in His Pockets" was back when he was but a "wee buck," he says, more than 10 years ago. He's enjoying taking the play on a second time. "The script has been updated and evolved a bit," Shipman says. "It's still a mountain to climb, but I suppose one gains a different perspective by climbing it a second time. The story now bears more weight and depth." "Stones" has been on TheatreSquared's short list for years, Ford says, but this season, it just seemed right for the mix they had in mind. Associate Artistic Director Amy Herzberg researched other productions, reviews and interviews in preparation for directing the piece with a fresh approach. The process allows her to build off of images and ideas that inspire her, Ford says. As Shipman and Jeffers transform into the dozen odd characters throughout the production, they make those transitions on stage, right in front of the audience, with the change of a hat, a pop of a collar and other subtleties. "That's what makes this play an actor's dream, because it's all on them to take us on this ride," Ford says. Costume designer Ruby Kemph assists with the "elegantly telling details" that cinch the transformation. All else is on the two-actor team. "I can't emphasize this enough: these roles come with a ridiculously high level of difficulty, like a 9.9 in the Olympics." NOVEMBER 13-19, 2022 WHAT'S UP! 3 FAQ 'Stones in His Pockets' WHEN — Through Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees WHERE — TheatreSquared, 477 W. Spring St. in Fayetteville COST — $25-$57 INFO — theatre2.org or 777-7477 See Stones Page 4 Shipman plays Charlie and seven other characters in "Stones in His Pockets" and says what he loves most about it is that it's a play that sneaks up on you. Shipman says it's a treat to work on a production as challenging and fulfilling as this. (Courtesy Photo/Wesley Hitt for T2) Jason Shipman and Josh Jeffers wear many hats in this production. Between the two of them, they portray more than a dozen characters, all of whom are struggling with their personal value. (Courtesy Photo/Wesley Hitt for T2) The More The Merrier Two T2 actors inhabit a dozen characters FAYETTEVILLE