OffBook: Playing the Lead

I have never, up until my last production, had the coveted “last bow.” You know what I mean, theater people. Yes, that thing all of us actors want. The “woos” from the adoring public, the media attention, the underwear piling-up on stage…er, well, maybe not the last bit. Still, most performers hope to one day be lucky enough to have the chance to take that last bow. In “1776,” I got it. Was it everything I hoped it would be? Well, it didn’t suck, I can tell you that. In fact, I think that playing John Adams may have been the theatrical highlight of my “career” as an actor (the quotes are fully intended, as this is, and will always be, nothing more than a hobby for me). Still, for those of you young aspirants who have yet to have such an opportunity, I think there are some things one learns about community theater from playing the lead that are not readily apparent in other roles.

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