APRIL 1-7, 2015 UCW 11
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
Anyone who has been a part of a theater
production knows that things happen. No
production goes off without a hitch but the
audience doesn't need to know that. There
are backstage mishaps, technical glitches
and more. In some instances the backstage
drama can be more entertaining than what
is happening on stage.
Take a peek behind the curtain at the
Gilbert Theater's latest production. The
Gilbert Theater presents the comedy
Backstage, directed by resident playwright
Stephen Miles, from March 27-April 12.
"It is a very hilarious comedy that follows
the pitfalls that take place during a theater
production," said Robyne Parrish, artistic
director of the Gilbert Theater.
"You are basically seeing the backstage
of a theater and you are watching what is
happening during the show but it is what is
happening backstage."
Parrish added that the actors are going in
and out and you see what is happening in
the dressing room and all of the drama
and soap opera-like things that happen
between a group of actors and the crew
during a show.
Stephen Miles is the resident playwright
of the Gilbert Theater and each season the
theater tries to include a play that he has
written in its lineup.
"Stephen writes a lot of plays and we
needed a comedy that was fun and light
because we had a lot of darker things this
season," said Parrish. "I thought the play
would be a lot of fun for people who are not
in the theater especially to see the silly things
that happen backstage that the audience
never sees."
The play features local actors Patti Cucco,
Julie Harrison, Jamaul Johnson and Kirsten
Brunson who will bring hilarity to the stage.
"They are playing lead roles in the show,"
said Parrish. "This is a new play that has
never been done, so we do not have a map
to follow in terms of the way things are
usually done so we have to create everything
from scratch."
Parrish added that it can be really fun and
challenging because you are trying to figure
out if it is going to work or be as funny as it is
on the page.
"We want everyone to come out and see this
wonderful production," said Parrish. "I think
people will enjoy it."
The comedy contains adult language that
may not be appropriate for kids. For more
information or ticket prices, visit www.
Gilberttheater.com or call 678-
7186.
Gilbert Theater Brings Original Play Backstage to the Stage
by DR. SHANESSA FENNER
DR. SHANESSA FENNER, Con-
tributing Writer.. COMMENTS?
Editor@upandcomingweekly.com.
Backstage, presented by the Gilbert Theater, is a comedy writ-
ten by Stephen Miles, the resident playwright at the theater.
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