Backstage with Chapter Two

ICCT - The cast and crew of Chapter Two are working hard to be ready for opening night of what could be ICCT's final show (see this post for more information about that). The main character of this lesser known Neil Simon play, George, is a widower who is still recovering to some extent, but decides it may be time for a new beginning. He becomes involved with a woman who is recently divorced and not sure if she is ready for another romance so soon. Eventually they meet because of his brother and her best friend and hit it off and maybe a little too well. We took some time to talk to Brian Tanner, director of the show, and David Pierce, who plays the lead character, George.

David, tell me about your character. What's he like? Was it difficult to get into his skin?

David: George is a writer. He loves turning a phrase, loves verbal combat. He's trying to put the memory of his late wife behind him, though his success at that is open to question. He works too hard to put his new love into the mold of his late wife, without much success, and his attempts cause him to be more than a bit of a jerk at times. Those have been the toughest scenes to get into; even in meaty parts, it's tough to let go and be an ass, particularly when your co-star is so sweet and does such a great job of crying onstage.

How has this experience been similar to or perhaps different from other ICCT experiences?

David: Well, it's the first performance since my first couple of productions where I wasn't a member of the ICCT board. That's provided a different perspective, though I'm not sure you really want me to get into that. I will say that I feel more like an outsider with this production than I have since those first few productions. I don't mean that in a bad way - everyone has been absolutely wonderful about welcoming me back to the stage. Another difference is simply the cast size. This is the smallest cast I've been a part of at ICCT. It's nice; it allows you to get to interact with the people you're working with far more than a large cast does.

Can you talk about the rehearsal process for this show?

Brian: We spent the first week just working with the script, reading it and doing character analysis. I really enjoy exploring characters in this way and I think it's a big help for the actors. If the cast can understand their characters better, then that is going to show through in their performance. It's important to me that they know their character's wants, needs, where they've been, and where they are going. Not only of their own part but in relation to all the others'. I tend to ask a lot of behavioral questions early on and there's not always a right answer.

I think the character work paid off because all four of the actors really hit the ground running when we got into the scene work. I say we did rough blocking because much of the play is very conversational between two characters, and so we needed to follow the flow of the dialogue about when it felt right to move from one place to another and when to stay still. This cast has been very much fun to work with and very open to this rehearsal process.

What was it like working with Brian?

David: Brian has been great. He's been really open to all of our suggestions, yet can put his foot down in a very nice manner when he needs or wants to do so. He did a great job of casting the show, if I do say so myself, which has led to us being ahead of the pace for most of the rehearsal process. I really appreciated the way he used the first few rehearsals to help us focus on who our characters were.

What moments in this play stand out for you?

Brian: I really like the phone exchange between George and Jennie where they talk on the phone for the first time before meeting face to face. You really get to see this progression of two characters suddenly finding each other and there's a very sweet quality to it. On the flip side they have a couple very dynamic scenes when they are married and really hash some stuff out. They both have heavy emotional baggage from previous relationships and there are some passionate exchanges. There's a lot of emotion in this script and the cast is doing a great job letting it all out there.

Were there any moments that were particularly challenging for you?

David: There are a couple of things in Act Two. One of those is the thing I mentioned above, where George has to be more than a little of an insensitive jerk. The other comes at the end of the play. I had to struggle to find a way that the outcome made sense to me as opposed to being a tacked on happy ending. I found that internally; I hope it comes across to the audience.

Brian, tell us about your actors...what was their process like? What surprised you?

Brian: I've worked briefly with David on a couple other shows and have seen Ken in a number of ICCT productions. Their reputations proceeded them and they certainly filled the bill. I worked with Robyn the most, both as a fellow cast member and as a director. It's been a pleasure to watch her grow over the past year or so and I think she was ready to handle this role. All of these characters are complex and deep and they all get their moments to shine. Which leads me to Caroline. She hasn't done a whole of lot of theater recently but there were certain things that stood out for me in her audition and I'm happy that we were able to expand on these in the show. She has been holding her own, if not raising the bar, for the other three folks in the cast. I think she's going to raise a lot of eyebrows and has a bright future in our theater community. That's not to say that the others aren't doing well, everyone is bringing their "A" game to this show and it's paying off well.

What's your take on your fellow actors, David?

David: I don't share any scenes with Robyn, which is a shame, cause she's a fun person to hang around the set with. Ken, who plays my brother, has been a blast to share the stage with. While our scenes together aren't entirely comedic, there are a lot of nice comedy beats when we are onstage and he has been great to work with on those. And I can't say enough about Caroline. She's an extremely talented actress, with a light comedic touch as well as an intense dramatic side. She's got good stage sense. We've bounced ideas back and forth off each other, and her instincts are good. Brian gets credit for a real find here.

What have you learned about the show or about yourself through this experience?

Brian: I feel like I always take away something from each show that I work on, whether it's working the sound board or directing. I learn a lot from those I work with like Rich [Riggleman], who did the set design and Rachael [Lindhart], who did the costumes. They're very good at what they do and I really enjoy working with them. One of the reasons I was attracted to the show was that it was about adults in love, and not the traditional boy meets girl type of romance. These are not people discovering love for the first time, they have been around the block. They've been hurt, they have defenses, and they need to work things out in order to progress. I liked that complexity and nothing is ever black and white. It can certainly make you think about your own personal relationships and reflect on those.

ICCT has had its difficulties lately. If this turns out to be the last show ever for ICCT, how would you feel about that?

David: I'd be quite sad if this were the last ICCT show. I know I've been away for awhile, and that my times there weren't always that great, but I have a great deal of fondness for ICCT. I'd hate to see it go away, although in a strange way, it'd be an honor to be a part of the last ICCT show. I hope it doesn't come to that, though. I plan on donating, and hope anyone reading this will give what they can to keep ICCT alive.

Brian: Yeah, it would be a dubious distinction I can't say that I would feel the best about. I'm certainly honored to be included in this season and if it is the last show, I'm grateful for the opportunity to have been included in this long and illustrious run. I think this show is a great way to end the season but I would be sad if it were the end of something that should be embraced more by the community. Theater is meant to entertain, to inspire, to create, and explore. It should be a reciprocal relationship. The theater should enrich the community, and the community should keep the theater alive. The arts are there for all of us. I remember a line from "Mr. Holland's Opus" when they were cutting the music program. The Vice Principal said "If I'm forced to choose between Mozart and reading and writing and long division, I choose long division." and Mr. Holland replies, "Well, I guess you can cut the arts as much as you want, Gene. Sooner or later, these kids aren't going to have anything to read or write about." I think that's very true. I would love to see the community support their local theater. Also, it doesn't seem that ICCT gets the same support from Iowa City that City Circle gets from Coralville. ICCT is basically left up to it's own devices to try to keep things going. They aren't related to the University or generally a part of the downtown district so that puts them at a disadvantage. I know that there is currently a drive to save the theater and I really hope that the community will rally for something that has been giving to them for over 50 years.

David: You know, even if the worst happens, I don't think ICCT will go away forever. If this version of ICCT folded, I don't think it would be too long before a new ICCT rose from the ashes.

Check out Chapter Two at ICCT beginning this Friday!