Backstage with A Delicate Balance

ICCT - We recently had a chance to talk to Gerry Roe, one of the actors in the Iowa City Community Theatre's production of A Delicate Balance by Edward Albee. Gerry has been a performer and director for ICCT and Dreamwell as well as appearing in shows at the University of Iowa. He is also a lifetime member of ICCT. Our conversation follows.

When you hear the name Edward Albee, you think Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? or Zoo Story. A Delicate Balance isn't quite as well known despite the fact that he won a Pulitzer for it. Can you tell us a little about the play?

Gerry: I've been an Albee fan for many years... since I first saw a production of The Sand Box, so I, too, think of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Zoo Story, but I also think of A Delicate Balance, Tiny Alice, Seascape, Three Tall Women, The Lady from Dubuque, and many others - even Box. Albee has been a major influence in the American theatre for more than forty years. A Delicate Balance is a dark comedy exploring the challenges of maintaining equilibrium when relations with family and friends become strained, when circumstances arise presenting questions about the responsibilities of love and friendship.

Your character is Harry. What is he like? What's fun or challenging about playing him?

Gerry: Harry and Edna have been married for many years and have been for forty years "best friends" with Agnes and Tobias. Harry (and Edna) suddenly find themselves in desperate circumstances. Unable to cope by themselves, they turn to their friends for assistance, assuming that help will be forthcoming. I find Harry interesting because he is forced, perhaps for the first time, to recognize what has become of his life and his marriage.

I know you had to cancel the first weekend of performances. Was that weather related?

Gerry: The unusually miserable weather--snow, sleet, ice, more snow, more sleet, et cetera... made the rehearsal schedule especially difficult. Many rehearsals had to be canceled, resulting in a very short preparation time. Occasional health issues among the cast also contributed to an abbreviated rehearsal schedule... unfortunate for a play as complex and demanding as this one.

This show was originally going to be directed by Janet Bentley before she left town. Can you talk a little bit about what it was like to have Evie step in and take over the directing responsibilities?

Gerry: Although Janet was the selected director, she left Iowa City long before the show was cast, so it wasn't really like having a new director step in during the rehearsal process. Evie agreed to take over the show and has certainly made it her own. Although I'd like to have seen what Janet might have made of this play, this production is in very good hands.

This show is filled with veteran performers with literally decades of experience. What was it like to have such a experienced cast working together?

Gerry: "Working together" is probably the key word in your question. Some of us have been friends for many years, and each of us has worked with at least some of the other cast members in other productions. Aside from enjoying each other's company, the main advantage of working with such an experienced cast is that everyone knows how to work together in the service of the play. Of course there are egos here - we are actors, after all - but we know our jobs and the only displays of "temperament" are those of the characters, not of the actors. There is real camaraderie among this cast and crew.

Can you tell us a little about the technical aspects of the production - set, costumes, lighting, etc?

Gerry: This is not a "hi-tech" production. Set, lighting, and costumes are quite simple but, we hope, suggesting an appropriate environment for the characters.

There have been rumors about ICCT and its future. Is there a 2008-09 season in the works or are things on hold right now?

Gerry: ICCT plans to announce its 53rd season soon, certainly in time to be included in the program for the final show of our 52nd season, Man with a Load of Mischief, playing April 25 - May 4.

We're all certainly glad to hear that news. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. And, as always, break a leg!

(Pictured above are Gerry Roe and Caroline Oster.)