Howard Schor says of his process for directing Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, “It is different from the five plays I have directed or the 40 plus I have produced here in Bend, in that the actors and I have been given the privilege of adding or modifying the dialogue to further enhance this beautifully written play.”
For instance, Rick Jenkins plays three supporting roles and helped mold the scene of Ben Golden, a 1930’s Hollywood movie mogul. “My roles in Baby Jane provide important plot information and add to the wildly comedic aura of the play,” he said. “The characters stand as symbols of the darker forces that can surround any star. This combined with an absence of compassion can enable a descent into madness and despair.”
Dave Finch, a noted pianist/musician, displays his talents as a vaudeville pianist and as Edwin Flagg. He says of Edwin, “This part lets me explore playing a lazy mamma’s boy that decides to take advantage of a washed up albeit scary ex-child star. I enjoy the dichotomy of wanting to be an independent man, yet being sucked in to my doting mother. I am thrilled to work with this talented cast and crew and can’t wait for everyone to see this funny at times thriller!”
Elise Franklin who plays one of the two major roles says, “What excites me about playing Blanche Hudson is being wheelchair bound for 30+ years. What a challenge to achieve action and mobility and realize my life is threatened and yet have no way to communicate for help. No way to escape. It makes the stakes much higher in the play, as my sister Baby Jane breaks down mentally and begins her unraveling.”
Mary Kilpatrick, whose 50 year career stretches from Broadway to being a noted actress and director, plays the complex, boundless character of the adult Baby Jane. She is also the artistic director of BEAT, the successful nonprofit for youth theatre arts. Kilpatrick says, “Playing Jane is my dream role of a lifetime. The comedy in this dark play is just so deliciously supported by our magnificent cast.”
Adapted by Ron Spencer from the Henry Farrell novel that later became the screen classic, What Ever Happened To Baby Jane is a fascinating blend of comedic almost Moliere like farce and dark, horrific tragedy ala Stephan King. We are all familiar with the tale of the performer who achieves fame and fortune as a child or a teen only to be darkened and ultimately destroyed as an adult by the absence of the stardom that once lit their life.
Tickets: 2nd Street Theater, www.2ndstreettheater.com, 11 performances from February 27-March 14. Directed by Howard Schor and Produced by Howard Schor Productions LLC at Babyjane@bendbroadband.com
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