As an Actor, it is always an interesting experience to re-visit a show you have done before. Repeating a show allows a new perspective into the writing, deeper understanding of the work, and if you play a different character, than the time before, it brings a whole new experience in general. I have been lucky enough to perform in several plays multiple times: The Scarlet Pimpernel (3), West Side Story (2), Bye Bye Birdie (2), A Christmas Carol (5), and Lucky Stiff (2). Each repeat performance has brought a different experience to me, and I have enjoyed these shows even more the next time around.
This will be my second time in The Hasty Heart, but my first time playing the role of “Tommy”. 15 years ago at the old Hale Theater on Main Street, I played “The Orderly” in my first semi-professional role, and my first of over 20 shows at Hale. I was 17 years old and full of excitement to be performing at a theater that my family had been season ticket holders to for years. My favorite memory was arriving at the theater early one day to get the beds made and props all ready and finding Grandma Hale asleep in one of the beds on stage. I quietly worked around her until hers was the last bed remaining to be made. As I approached her, she opened her eyes and said with a sly grin: “I tried that bed over there and it was too hard, and that bed over there was too soft, but this one was just right”. I replied: “Well the audience won’t start arriving for another 20 minutes Goldilocks, so you can sleep more if you need to”.
This production of The Hasty Heart has been a fascinating learning experience for me. Strong actors, a passionate director, and an amazing design crew have transformed this show into more than just a comedy with a lot of heart. This production is (like many Hale shows) ‘an experience’. The audience will be bathed in the feeling and the tone of the time, allowing them to feel through the characters on stage and experience their perspectives. I believe this show, in this venue, now, has more power than it has ever had since it was written. I believe if there was ever a chance for this work to change lives, it is now. What an honor and a privilege to be a part of something that can do that.
by Eric Armstrong, ‘Tommy’ in the Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday cast of The Hasty Heart
For those of you who are unfamiliar with this play, it is written by John Patrick who also wrote The Curious Savage and Teahouse of the August Moon, both of which have been produced by HCT. The Hasty Heart is set in Burma during World War II and was inspired by John Patrick’s experiences serving in India and Burma during the war. It revolves around 6 men and their nurse at a allied military hospital. Every man is from a different part of the world (United States, Australia, New Zealand, England, Africa and Scotland) and have come to the hospital for different reasons, but allies soon become brothers.
In this play there is no shortage of humor and heart.
Now playing through May 28th.
Buy your tickets now!
www.halecentretheatre.org or 801-984-9000
