The Nerd was written by Larry Shue who also wrote “The Foreigner”.
Playing at the Three Hills Academy, February 9-11 and 16-18 under the direction of Floyd Cotton, it is guaranteed to bring loads of laughs.
For the relatively short time I sat in on the rehearsal, I reflected on how this ‘comedy’ is presented. There are of course the lines that the playwright provides in the script. Then there are the suggested actions and changes the director will come up with. And then there are the ad-libs and improvisations that the actors bring, and when the director responds in gales of laughter, we know we have something special to which we can look forward.
Director Cotton gives this synopsis. It doesn’t begin to go into the detail that some other sources might, but then there have been some changes made as well.
“The Nerd centers on the hilarious dilemma of a young architect who is visited by a woman he’s never met but who saved his life in Vietnam—the visitor turns out to be an incredibly inept, hopelessly stupid “nerd” who outstays her welcome, with hilarious results.”
Director Cotton cautions that some of the themes would make the play “not suitable for young children”.
Those who have attended other performances will recognize some of these names from previous performances and what we can expect from them:
Cast: Jamey Coles - William, Rachel Laser - Kate, Josh LaPlante - Axel, Makayla Laslett - Tansy, Caleb Johns - Waldgrave, Carinne Lamy - Clelia and Knightley Daniels & Logan Hope as Thor.
I would say it would be essential to get tickets early AND to be seated before the first entrance. Not only because it is good etiquette but also because I suspect getting all the “introductions” as to who is connected to whom and how and why will help one keep things straight as they unfold.
