Hamilton Burr, a reading at the Rosendale Theater
Another recent project: in September I was part of a staged reading of playwright Robert Clem's work-in-progress, Hamilton Burr, at the Rosendale Theater in Rosendale, upstate New York.
Mr. Clem decided as part of the development process for his play, he would have it read to the public and get their input, and a general feel of his own, for how the next draft should look. Among the actors he called up was my friend Brett Owen, a terrific actor from upstate with whom I worked summer Shakespeare in 2011. Brett in turn called me up and invited me to join the project.
The play takes the controversial feud and duel of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr and presents it as something happening in modern day America. It has a lot to say about our present climate of personal animosity, and the distortion of facts and aspersion of character for political gain. We had one table reading at Mr. Clem's house, then a few days later we read the play on stage in front of about 20 people, then the crowd offered their input, and from there I guess Mr. Clem is working on his next draft. I played a blackmailing, scheming husband and also the Hamilton's son.
It is the first time I've ever done a staged reading. It's a strange experience. Usually, I get to rehearse and memorize plays and have a lot of time to work out what my character is about and how to play each scene. Not so here. We had to put it together, get a quick sense of how to play everything, and just do it fast. It was fun and stimulating, but demanded that I effectively do in one or two days would I would usually take weeks to do: figure out how to do the job right.
The operative word is fun. We all had fun, and as always I got to meet new people. And I also got to work once again with my friend Brett (he played a conniving, angry Burr). Brett's always great to work with. And I wish Robert Clem all the very best with his continued development of what is a wonderfully written and all too prescient take on modern political discourse. Mr. Clem, I wish the themes you are exploring were something consigned to our nation's past: they aren't, but I am glad a gentlemen like yourself is taking up the challenge of presenting them in a new way to the public.
Here's an image of the cast after the show. I swear I am in there somewhere.
