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Flood and fire can’t stop local theater

 

TRYON—Shakespeare & Friends’ production of Arms and the Man, a 19th-century comedy by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, will light up the Rogers Park Amphitheater March 20 through March 23 following a near-devastating setback last fall.

The show was less than a week from opening night when the harsh reality of Hurricane Helene radically changed the priorities for everyone in the western Carolinas. Director, cast and crew dropped the show and scattered to the four winds, tending to their own needs and those of their loved ones.

But the shared purpose of breathing life into a delightful script drew the group back together, albeit with a few changes. Four of the original eight cast members are back, while three others were unable to work the new rehearsal dates into their schedules.

But when those three doors closed, three others opened. Each new cast member — Chandler Peveto, Mackenzie Raub, and Jess Holderbaum — has brought a new spirit of discovery that has spread to the returning group.

“When we lost three strong actors, I was a little worried,” said director Andy Millard, “because they were all excellent in their roles. But then here come the new guys and they’re also great, but in different ways. It’s been a blast to watch the returning cast members discover different aspects to their characters based on those new perspectives.”

Rehearsals resumed earlier this year but were interrupted once again due to the early March fire in the mountains of Polk County. Due to concerns over air quality, Millard canceled two nights of rehearsals. Fortunately, none of the cast or crew were impacted, and the fire has since been contained.

“Outdoor theater is always challenging, but this has certainly been a uniquely fraught production,” said Millard. “I’m incredibly grateful for the cast’s flexibility and resiliency throughout the process. Now we’re excited to bring this show to life for our audiences.”

Written in 1885 by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, Arms and the Man is billed as an anti-romantic comedy that turns the classic meet-cute on its head as an escaping soldier stumbles into the home of the richest family in Bulgaria. The performance is appropriate for all ages and will be staged in an intimate style, with the audience seated on the stage alongside the actors in Rogers Park. 

Performances will take place at 7 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, March 20 through 23, with an additional 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 23. Tickets and additional details are available at shakespeare-friends.com.

 

Submitted by Michelle Newman