"Don't Talk To The Actors" presented by Circle Theatre

DON'T TALK TO THE ACTORS
play program

One thing that The Travelling Toe enjoys is attending live theater presentations in the Fort Worth area.  Circle Theatre is a particular favorite and has been for some time.  So she and a Dear Friend attended a Saturday performance of their current show "Don't Talk To The Actors".  The play was written by Tom Dudzick. 

The "Playscripts" website provides an overview of the play as follows: 

Play Details

The best laid plans go awry when the cast and crew of a Broadway-bound play resort to manipulation, diva-like behavior, and chaotic abandon to get what they want. Fledgling playwright Jerry Przpezniak and his fiancee are a couple of Buffalo greenhorns suddenly swept up in the whirlwind of New York's theater scene when Jerry's play is optioned for the big money, ego-driven world of Broadway. It's a young playwright's dream, but the crazy characters and dilemmas they encounter are the things theatrical nightmares are made of.

Tom Dudzick
playwright

The following remarks were printed in the play program and provided by Mr. Dudzick:

This play is loosely based upon my experiences putting on my first New York play, "Greetings!" which starred Darren McGavin and was produced by the late, legendary producer, Arthur Cantor.  The character of director Mike Policzek is faithfully based upon my good friend, Dennis Zacek, former Artistic Director of Chicago's Victory Gardens Theatre, who was hired by Mr. Cantor to direct "Greetings!".  The remaining characters are composites of colorful people I've known on and off the stage.  Except for Jerry, the starry-eyed playwright.  He is, for the most part me.  This play was created in response to my wife's question, 'Why don't you write something that's just funny?"  

We did enjoy the play and it was funny.  The character of Curt Logan, a "TV" actor, worked hard on getting the playwright Jerry, to give his part more grit, texture and suspense and who was at heart  just an obnoxious egomaniac actor...but funny!

CAST:

Jerry Downey                                                            Louis Shaw

Bob Hess                                                                   Curt Logan

Ben Phillips                                                                Mike Policzek

Curtis Raymond Shideler                                           Jerry Przpezniak

Meg Shideler                                                              Arlene Wyniarski

Wendy Welch                                                             Beatrice Pomeroy

The Travelling Toe has seen several of Mr. Dudzick's plays at the Circle Theatre and they are all enjoyable.

Circle Theatre