"The Dream Role" by Samuel Stokes

from the July 2010 issue of KC Stage

When I was growing up, several of my friends were aspiring actors that performed in community theatre, school plays, and other community groups. I remember chatting with my friends on several occasions about what their dream roles might be. One wanted to be Tony in West Side Story while another dreamed of playing the part of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

I’m an actor of a different kind. I’m really a musician that got into theatre in high school. I played in the pit orchestra for several shows, but I also tried out for the plays and had various parts in several of them. I didn’t really know much about theatre or any of the big name shows at the time. I only dreamed of being the leading man — star of the show. However, at 5’7” and 115 pounds, that left a pretty big gap to be filled by my precarious acting abilities. When auditions for You Can’t Take It With You were posted at my high school, I promptly acquired a copy of the audition readings and immediately marked a preference for the part of “Tony,” the dashing male romantic interest in the story. I marked a secondary preference for the part of “Ed,” a smaller role, but an interesting and delightfully eccentric character with numerous hobbies (much like myself) including playing the xylophone. As a percussionist in the school band specializing in keyboard mallets that also happened to be interested in acting, I was kind of a shoe-in for the part (is that type-casting or what?).

While I was disappointed in not being seriously considered for the romantic lead in the show, I grew to really love the part of “Ed.” I mean, who is this guy? Not only does Ed play the xylophone, but he runs a candy delivery service for his wife, he is an amateur printer, he designs masks, and he has a genuine child-like interest in whatever anyone else wants to talk about. Of course, if you have ever seen You Can’t Take It With You you’ll know the show is filled with equally delightful and eccentric characters. I began to feel very much at home in the eclectic residence of Martin Vanderhof. I loved the characters and the joy and laughter that filled this home. Playing this part was a fun and heart-warming experience.

When I was at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, I was directing the music for Nunsense for the Central Missouri Repertory Company, when the guest director for You Can’t Take It With You asked at the auditions if I could assist with teaching an actor to play the xylophone well enough to play the part of “Ed”. On a whim, I said, “Well, actually, I played the part in high school, maybe I should try out myself.” So I tried out and got the part, and it was even more fun the second time. It was like a trip down memory lane, visiting old friends in a familiar place (but with better acting - even mine, I think!). It was so interesting to see what elements of the show were different under a different director and with a different cast. Also, since I was again arranging the music myself, I had even more fun with it the second time  because I was a much more experienced arranger and improviser by then. I was able to work with the actress that played “Essie” (Ed’s wife, a ballerina with two or more left feet), who had an excellent sense of humor, and we worked together to coordinate some really funny routines.

Recently, I saw an audition posting online for the Bell Road Barn Players production of You Can’t Take it With You directed by Matt Hentges. While I have composed, arranged, and directed music for a number of shows, it has been five years since I have acted in anything. When I saw this notice for a production that was reasonably close to where I live, I immediately started considering if it would be possible for me to reprise the role of “Ed.” Ultimately, I found that I am unable to make the time commitment this summer as I will be moving to Baton Rouge in August to being the PhD program in music theory at LSU. However, I am serving as the musical consultant for the show and am working directly with Sean Hogge who will play the role of “Ed,” and of whom I am extremely envious!

Sitting through the read through was such a delight. It was a heartwarming experience to hear the laughter of a new cast coming together to breathe new life into this show. I am confident that it will be a real joy for everyone involved. Although, this time I will be watching from the audience, I take pleasure in knowing that I helped bring the character of Ed to life for a third time, a character that unwittingly became my dream role. I personally hope to play the role again and again, if the opportunity arises. It would truly be a joy.