Director Spotlight: Tabitha Judy

Thank goodness Tabitha Judy has a sense of humor! We’re thrilled she’s taken a “stab” at directing at Parkway Playhouse this season.  

PP:  As a director do you have to push these actors, or is it more like reining them in… What’s it been like working with Strother, Dwight, and Graham?

Tabitha:  Reining in, definitely. And it’s like herding cats, and don’t mistake me I love cats and they are so fun… But these three could go down a comedy wormhole at any moment.

PP:  This is the first show you’ve directed here, isn’t it? How has that experience been?

Tabitha:  Yes! And it’s been fabulous. I’m used to having to organize and produce everything in my program at school, so just asking and receiving has been like heaven!

PP:  What made you interested in directing this show?

Tabitha:  I reread the script and saw guys I knew having a blast doing it!

PP:  What are some of the other shows you’ve been involved with recently and how does this compare with them?

Tabitha:  I usually direct students [at Pisgah High School] (who can also be like cats, but in a less productive manner). My most recent acting gigs were in some dark places. One as a mother who traumatizes her daughters because she was damaged as a young woman and the other as a mother who has no choices in her life and can only do her best to protect her children. This show is a very welcome change of pace.

PP:  What do you think audiences will like about the show?

Tabitha:  Hopefully, lots. There is something in there to make everyone laugh, so I think it might be different depending on the person and their familiarity with Shakespeare. Plus there are so many subtle things the boys are doing all the time. I still catch new things every night.

PP:  Do you have a favorite scene in the show?

Tabitha:  Ophelia’s deaths is definitely one of them. But there are many others

PP:  Hey!  That’s you at the actual Globe Theatre!  Do you have a favorite Shakespeare play? or line? or soliloquy? 

Tabitha:  I’ve taught too much Shakespeare to have a single favorite anymore. It depends on my mood as to what speaks to me.

PP:  Favorite rehearsal moment?

Tabitha:  It was all so much fun! These guys are too funny!

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Get TICKETS by calling the box office at 828.682.4285 or purchasing ONLINE.

Friday, September 28 at 7:30
Saturday, September 29 at 7:30
Sunday, September 30 at 3:00 (followed by back-talking actors)
Friday, October 5 at 7:30
Saturday, October 6 at 7:30

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Actor Spotlight: Strother Stingley

Strother Stingley makes his second Mainstage appearance this season! And we get sense from this cast they’re each trying out out-funny the next…

PP:  You each have to play countless roles in this play, but you also have a character “type” if you will… What is your stage character like?

Strother: Awkward but enthusiastic

PP:  What is your favorite Shakespeare play?

Strother:  CATS

PP:  What is your dream Shakespeare role?

Strother:  Falstaff, if I’m being honest

PP:  What color tights do you wear?

Strother:  Mustard.

PP:  We understand there is a fair amount of improv in the show?  Is that a stretch for you or is it in your wheelhouse?

Strother:  Given a framework to to operate in, but creative license to improvise, is one of my favorite places to be.

PP:  Do you think this play makes Shakespeare roll over in his grave?

Strother:  I bet he, given an understanding of modern times and his works’ impact on society, would ******* love it (when done well).

PP:  We suspect that watching rehearsals (and “outtakes”) might be as entertaining as the final product. Are you able keep straight faces?

Strother: We crack during rehearsals so that we don’t during performances.

                                In theory.

PP:  Best rehearsal moment? 

Strother:  When the director actually laughs (tough crowd… fair, but tough)

PP:  Which Shakespeare play do you think gets mocked the most in the show?

Strother:  Die Hard

PP:  Do you have a favorite prop?

Strother:  Yes.

PP:  I guess we’ll just have to see the show to see if we can tell which is your favorite.  One more question: After Dial M for Murder  and now The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) [Revised], back-to-back Parkway Playhouse performances, will you experience Burnsville withdrawal?

Strother:  I always do. Since playing Marcellus in The Music Man all those years ago.  And Lazar Wolf in Fiddler, Marasczek in She Loves Me, Alfie Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Friar Tuck in Robin Hood.

Don’t you miss the chance to see the always-funny and charming Strother!

Get TICKETS by calling the box office at 828.682.4285 or purchasing ONLINE.

Saturday, September 22 at 7:30 (followed by the usual Opening Night reception)
Sunday, September 23 at 3:00 (followed by an actor talk-back)
Friday, September 28 at 7:30
Saturday, September 29 at 7:30
Sunday, September 30 at 3:00 (followed by back-talking actors)
Friday, October 5 at 7:30
Saturday, October 6 at 7:30

 

Upcoming Parkway Playhouse Events:

 

Actor Spotlight: Graham Livengood

If ever there was an actor to answer the spotlight questions unpredictably… it’s Graham.

Graham Livengood (center) in the oh-so-serious photoshoot by Meandering Photography

PP:  We suspect that watching rehearsals (and “outtakes”) might be as entertaining as the final product. Are you able keep straight faces?

Graham: No, not even a little bit. It’s been so much fun working with two really funny guys and a very funny director. We’ve been able to play a lot with this show, so straight faces lets you know your scene needs more work.

PP:  Best rehearsal moment?

Graham:  See above. We didn’t have a single rehearsal that wasn’t stopped for some giggles.

PP:  You have to play countless roles in this play, but you also have a character “type” if you will… What is your stage character like?

Graham:  A friend who has done this show a few times broke down the three characters: the one who knows Shakespeare, the one that dies, and the one who wears all the dresses. I’m the one who dies. And my character is excited, but clueless.

PP:  What is your dream Shakespeare role?

Graham: Audience member. Unless it’s translated into contemporary English–them words is hard.

PP:  Do you have a favorite Shakespeare play?

Graham:  My favorite would be Twelfth Night. I think it’s one of the few comedies that’s actually funny and it’s made for some really great adaptations. Seriously, “She’s the Man” is way better than you think.

PP:  So, how would you characterize your “relationship” with Shakespeare?

Graham:  I’d say my relationship with Shakespeare is complicated. I still love him, but we’ve really grown apart as time has gone on.

PP:  What color tights do you wear? Did you get to pick them yourself? Any codpieces?

Graham:  I’m in blue shorts and green tights. Fun fact about cod pieces (which had just fallen out fashion as Shakespeare became known): the stuffing that went into a codpiece was called bombast.

PP:  We understand there is a fair amount of improv in the show?  Is that a stretch for you?

Graham:  I may or may not have done some improv before. A little bit.

PP:  Do you think this play makes Shakespeare roll over in his grave?

This question assumes that Shakespeare is, in fact, dead. I think that’s just a little bit presumptuous.

PP:  Do you have a favorite prop?

Graham:  My hat for the nurse in Romeo and Juliet is very close to my heart. It reminds me of a favorite movie from my childhood. See if you can figure out which one when you see the show.

PP:  You’ve gotten a new job (in Yancey County!) and had a kid (!) since the last time you appeared on stage here… How have those changes affected rehearsals?

Graham:  I also bought a house. Adulting is hard. But somehow I have time to write and direct “Murder in the Moonshine” a murder mystery experience to benefit Parkway Playhouse at the NuWray Inn. Get tickets from the Nu Wray for late October, we’ve sold out for the past two years. 

See you at a Parkway Playhouse event soon!

Upcoming Events at Parkway Playhouse:

Get TICKETS by calling the box office at 828.682.4285 or purchasing ONLINE.

Saturday, September 22 at 7:30 (followed by the usual Opening Night reception)
Sunday, September 23 at 3:00 (followed by an actor talk-back)
Friday, September 28 at 7:30
Saturday, September 29 at 7:30
Sunday, September 30 at 3:00 (followed by back-talking actors)
Friday, October 5 at 7:30
Saturday, October 6 at 7:30