January 7, 2016
Tom Dolan
"Morgan"
The Drawer Boy

 

I’ve been involved with Market House Theater for over 25 years and have played a large variety of roles- mostly in comedies and musicals.  Every now and then, a show comes along that stretches my abilities as an actor.  “The Drawer Boy” is one of those.  I have always found it easy to do comedy because of my personality and sense of humor.  Dramatic roles don’t always come quite as easily, but I enjoy the challenge each role brings.  I’ve had several dramatic roles that have been both a challenge and a great reward, including roles in “Tuesdays with Morrie” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.”  I hope my portrayal of Morgan in this show will be just as rewarding, and that audiences will appreciate what I bring to the role.

When I first read “The Drawer Boy”, I was immediately taken with the story- two friends who go through life together and deal with many obstacles along the way.  They experience the trauma of war, they find and lose love, they deal with trying to make a living as farmers, and they only have each other through it all.  

The theme of friendship and memories is very strong.  Morgan is the one who takes care of things, runs the farm, and has to make sure Angus is OK.  As the story unfolds, we find out so much about their relationship.  They made sacrifices for each other and carried each other through the various parts of their lives.  

After Angus is injured in the war, it’s Morgan who takes care of him.  In order to do that, he has to remind Angus of certain things in their lives.  He tells him stories about their lives.  We soon find out that maybe all he tells him isn’t necessarily true.  But he does so to protect his friend, and in a way, to protect himself, from what the truth holds.  Sometimes it’s easier to mask the past by creating a new past, and that is what Morgan does. 

When this “story” gets disrupted by a newcomer, their world turns a little upside down.  They have been together, just the two of them, for a long time.  They’re content and comfortable, and then that gets shattered as Angus begins to remember certain things that don’t match Morgan’s story.

This is so very well written, and the writer has created these very complex characters that have so many layers to them.  It is very challenging to be able to find those layers and portray them with strong conviction.  Working with Chuck Wilkins (we’ve done several shows together over the years) has made that a bit easier.  Chuck and I have a great stage relationship.  We know what each of us brings to this show and we know we can count on each other to give it our best.  Working with a newcomer, like Jonathan Woods, is always a challenge.   It’s a process to get to know another actor through the roles you play, and he does a very nice job with Miles.  The three of us are having a good time with this show, and I think that will be evident to audiences as they watch the story unfold.  Michael can always get us to delve a little deeper into what the character is and has to offer. 

I really think audiences will enjoy this show.  It has some lighthearted moments as Miles tries to learn about farming, but then also has the heavy-hitting dramatic scenes that will evoke a lot of emotion.

Friendship, memories, the past, the present, the future.  “The Drawer Boy” has it all.  Hope to see you at MHT!