By Anne-Allegra Bennett
The Oregon Contemporary Theatre opens 2019 with Theresa Rebeck’s The Understudy, a comedy masterpiece filled with backstage friction and onstage antics.
The story line involves Jake, a Hollywood action star who lands a distinguished role in a Franz Kafka play on Broadway and hopes it will help him turn into a “legitimate” actor.
Of course he has an understudy, Harry, who thinks he should be a star and also happens to be the ex-fiancé of Roxanne, who is in charge of running the understudy rehearsals for the production.
That could — and does — spell trouble.
Not surprisingly, egos, personalities, and personal problems soon begin to collide in this comedic look at the tragicomedy that is show business. Can the show survive the obstacles? And how far are people really willing to go to pursue the things they want?
Craig Willis, producing artistic director at the Oregon Contemporary Theatre, calls Theresa Rebeck “a force to be reckoned with both in the American theater and in television for many years now.”
“The Understudy demonstrates Rebeck’s knack for clever comedy,” Willis said, “and I think audiences will enjoy being pulled out of the winter doldrums as they laugh at the antics of this terrific acting ensemble and production team.”
John Schmor directs the OCT production of The Understudy, working with cast members Inga R. Wilson, Tom Wilson, and Andrew Beck. The production team includes projection designer Ryan Rusby, costumes by Heather Kidd, props designer Kat Matthews, lighting by Michael Peterson, and scenery design by Jeffrey Cook. Christie O’Neill is production stage manager
Playwright Rebeck’s other works include Seminar, What We’re Up Against, Mauritius, The Scene, The Water’s Edge, Loose Knit, The Family of Mann, Spike Heels, Bad Dates, The Butterfly Collection, Our House, and View of the Dome.
The Understudy was performed at the Roundabout Theatre Company’s Laura Pels Theatre in New York City from November 2009 to January 2010, starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Justin Kirk, and Julie White.
To avoid confusion, before the stage version, there was a novel with a similar plot also titled The Understudy, published in 2005 by British writer David Nicholls.
The Understudy
When: Preview performances at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 16-17; regular evening performances at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18-19, 24-26 and 31, and Feb. 1-2; matinees at 2 p.m. on Jan. 27 and Feb. 3
Where: 194 W. Broadway, Eugene
Tickets: Available at the box office, 541-465-1506, or online at octheatre.org; preview performances $15 or what-you-can-pay; regular prices $20 to $40, with student discounts available; all opening night tickets on Jan. 18 are $40 and include wine, beer, dessert and include an after-show reception with the cast
