Farce of Nature
Steve Schwetman, "Sonny Barbosa"
Sept. 10, 2015

Last year, I did something at Market House Theater I'd never done before—drama. I always wanted to stretch my wings and was grateful for the opportunity to play the role of Jim Casey in John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath." However, as much as I enjoyed my experience, I wanted to get back to making people laugh. So when it was announced that "Farce of Nature" would kick off MHT's 52nd season, I checked out a script the moment they became available.

The show is written by Jones, Hope and Wooten—the writers of "The Dixie Swim Club" and "The Hallelujah Girls." I'm going to be honest: I skimmed through it the script the first time I read it, and wasn't excited about it. I was expecting more. Then I gave it a second chance, except I took my own sweet time reading it very meticulously. Suddenly, the humor jumped out at me. I auditioned, made the cast and found myself laughing hysterically during the first company read-through. It was as if I had discovered the script for the very first time.

I play Sonny Barbosa. He's a mobster from Chicago who's just been released from prison following a five-year stretch. He's hot on the trail of his wife, Lola (played by Rachael Jaenichen), who he thinks is having an affair with Ty (played by Aaron Gipson), the son of D. Gene and Wanell Wilburn, (Roy Hensel and Stephanie McGlenon),  proprietors of the Reel 'Em Inn Fishing Lodge in Mayhew, Arkansas. Are you with me so far? Good, because it gets even more confusing as the show goes along. Lola calls Sonny a "hot head," but he hates that; he fancies himself as "passionate." He sometimes lets his temper get the best of him. I see a little of Sonny in myself. I'm guilty of letting my temper get the best of me and I easily jump to conclusions. So it's easy for me to play Sonny.

I've really enjoyed my time working with Kathy Pingle, the guest director of "FON." She has lots of great ideas for our characters and loves it when we come up with stuff on our own. I hope she'll come back to direct at MHT again. Getting to work again with old friends Roy Hensel, Stephanie McGlenon and Al Knudsen is always a bonus and a blessing. Rachael Jaenichen and I have worked together in MHT murder mystery fundraisers, but this is our first time together in a Main Season production. Plus, we get to play husband and wife. It's really fun seeing Delaney Rogers and Crystal Blanton (both of whom I've worked with before) step out from the background and step into a couple of great roles. I've gone from watching Aaron Gipson as a kid on stage at MHT to working alongside him in a production. And Bethany Russell has been a joy to work with in her very first MHT show. She fits right in with this wacky theatrical family! 
     We've got our lines down and have fine-tuned our characters for tonight's opening performance. We can't wait for you to see this very funny, VERY fast-paced show. Hope to see you there!

September 4, 2015
Farce of Nature
Bethany Russell (Maxine Suggs)

 

 I am so excited!!  I auditioned for the first time at Market House Theatre after many years of making excuses about “now is not a good time.” My hope was that they would at least ask me to pass out programs, and then I got a call back and a role in the play. I was immediately overjoyed and frightened all at the same time. But the director, Kathy (Pingel) and the cast have been so accepting, welcoming and encouraging that I feel I have been a part of MHT forever.
  



I have always loved the rehearsal process best! I love seeing the characters develop, the set emerge, props and costumes appear. I love running the script over and over and working all the little parts to make an entertaining production. The actors and actresses in this play are some of the best at developing unique, entertaining and loveable characters.  Sometimes I realize I’m laughing at something new that they have created with their character and have to remind myself to stay in character. I have learned so much from Kathy about how to make bits funny and how to approach a play, specifically a farce. She is positive and encouraging as she gives much helpful direction. 


I absolutely love Maxie! I want to be her when I grow up. She’s brave, energetic, happy, always solving problems, fearlessly walking right in the way of danger and kicking butt and taking names.  For an old broad she is a force to be reckoned with. She is a hoot. My kids have been saying “Mom, that’s something Maxie would do or say” as we go through our day, so I guess she is starting to bleed over into my everyday life.  Now if I can stay in character and not get the “giggles” with Al and keep up with all the running we do all over the stage, Maxie and I will leave our mark at the Reel ‘Em Inn!

There are no words to truly express the impact this experience has had in my life. It has been so affirming for me. I encourage anyone who has a love or interest in theatre to step out and become involved at Market House Theatre. I believe you will be welcomed with open arms and find a safe place to pursue your interests.

(Above, Bethany as "Maxie Suggs" with Al Knudsen as "Carmine DeLuca")

September 2, 2015
Farce of Nature
Kathy Pingel, guest director

(Kathy Pingel is visiting MHT as a guest director for the first play of our 52nd season, FARCE OF NATURE. Kathy is retired from The Des Moines Community Playhouse, where she was education director, as well as artistic director for the Kate Goldman Children's Theatre. Kathy resides in North Port, FL.)

One week before opening! Normally, directors are in panic mode: “When will they get their lines down?”  “Will the set ever be completed?”  “Will anyone LAUGH?” Panic? Not me. Not when we have such a dedicated cast and crew. 

The set needs a little decoration, true, but we’ve been using the different levels and slammin’ the doors for almost two weeks now. The actors have not only memorized their lines; they’re delivering them with confidence. And our set designer, Logan*, was in last night-, and even though the run-through he saw was minus one actor, he laughed!  Music to our ears. 


So, what’s left to do then? Plenty. Now comes the polish. We add sound, lights, props, costumes and tighten up the action so that it comes at the audience like a tidal wave. In this week before our dress rehearsals begin we are running through the show, correcting small things here and there and watching it grow until it’s ready for an audience—the final addition.  Can’t wait!!


*Logan Reagan, MHT's technical director.