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| Michael Tushaus is Willum Cubbert, Jeff Asch is the nerd Rick Steadman in ‘The Nerd.’ (photos by Alysa Brennan) |
Do you remember the bespeckled guy in high school who let you copy his answers on the Chemistry tests? He always wanted to be your friend, but you couldn’t get over the white plastic pocket protector holding pens in prism-correct color order tucked into the pocket of his short-sleeved, buttoned to the Adam’s apple white dress shirt. His black, horned-rim glasses were held together with a yellowing bandage of Scotch tape at one arm, a bent paperclip at the other.
What if this guy showed up at your doorstep 20 years later?
Multiply this trauma by 10 and you have the premise for the Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities’ (CLOSBC) production of “The Nerd,” opening tomorrow at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse. Director Ted Escobar and principals Jeff Asch and Mike Tushaus discussed their new project last week.
Upon first meeting, the nerd character is the nightmare of every upwardly mobile young executive. In the words of the play’s director, “This guy Rick Steadman (a.k.a. the nerd, played by Asch) shows up at Willem’s (Tushaus) apartment. Well, he turns out to be the most socially inept, rude, obnoxious person on the planet.”
“The Nerd” was written in 1981 by Larry Shue, a creative playwright (“The Foreigner”) and actor who died at age 39 in a commuter plane crash. The show premiered in London’s West End before moving to Broadway in 1987. It’s a character-driven play with a cast of four men, two women, and a 9-year-old child.
Be aware, there is a back story to Rick’s unannounced reappearance into Willem’s life.
Rick saved Willem in Vietnam, though they never met before or after the incident. Today, Willem is struggling with his life as an architect and he’s reluctant to commit to his longtime girlfriend, Tansy McGinnis (Jessica Gisin). He just can’t seem to move forward.
“One night, out of the blue, Rick appears at Willem’s door wearing a monster costume,” said Escobar. “Willem is hosting his 34th birthday party, guests of which include his boss Warnock Wallgrave (Jack Messenger), Mrs. Wallgrave (Aileen-Marie Scott), the Wallgrave’s son Thor (Brendan Brady), his friend Axel (Don Fowler), and girlfriend Tansy.
“He (Rick) basically terrorizes the party to the point where everyone runs frantically from the room. Then he ends up staying with Willem for the next few weeks, ruining his life.”
Tushaus explains Willem’s initial reluctance to dispose of his intruder: “Willem’s too nice a guy to tell Rick to leave; after all, Rick did save his life.”
Willem, Axel and Tansy eventually conceive a plan to evict Rick by “turning the tables and throwing weird cultural stuff at him,” said Escobar.
In addition to the over-the-top comedy, there’s a reason (divulged at play’s end) for Rick’s shenanigans. There’s also a brilliant switch in the final scenes that will not be discussed in these pages. It’s simply too good to tell!
“There are all kinds of funny lines throughout; lots of physical comedy,” said Tushaus. “The play has about every convention of comedy.”
“Shue had the ability of mixing high brow with slapstick,” said Asch.
Jeff Asch, originally from Scranton, Pa. and now living in Redondo Beach, has worked CLOBC productions in the past, but never at the Hermosa Playhouse. “I was the lead monkey in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in Redondo,” he said. A working actor – “I feel very fortunate” – Asch does TV (“mostly sitcoms”) and commercials and “a little bit of movies.”
“When I get the opportunity to do theater, it’s like a great little day job for me,” he said.
Tushaus is originally from Nebraska. “I moved out here in search of work in entertainment,” he said. “I work primarily behind the scenes for CLOSBC as assistant technical director/master electrician. I’ve done a lot of things for them.
“Once in a while I get to act -- this is actually my first major role with CLOSBC. I played a small role in ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ last year. It was the first time the producers realized I could act. They said, ‘Hey, we need someone to do this role, so why don’t you do it.’ It’s nice to be able to come back to acting, as well as continuing the behind-the-scenes jobs.”
The last seven CLOSBC shows at Hermosa Playhouse have been lighted by Tushaus. He’ll do double duty for “The Nerd,” acting onstage and lighting design offstage. “I’m having a lot of fun with this one,” said the Torrance resident.
Escobar said last week that rehearsals and cast preparation were “ahead of schedule.”
“We have six competent people – and, of course, the child. Brendan Brady plays the boss’s son who comes to the party with his parents. He’s a 9-year-old terror. He adds to the mania because he screams and throws tantrums and runs around the room and hides; he’s just a little terror,” said Escobar.
The director stressed that “The Nerd” is an ensemble piece. Asch added, “Everybody has to be good.”
“We have to carry it together,” said Tushaus. “If one person’s off, everything is off.”
If the first week’s rehearsals and the enthusiasm of the principals and director are any indication, “The Nerd” should enjoy a laugh-filled run in Hermosa.
“The Nerd,” produced by CLOSBC at Hermosa Beach Playhouse, corner Pier and PCH. Tuesday through Saturday, 8 p.m., Sunday matinees March 30 and April 6 at 2 p.m. Through April 6. Tickets $35-$45. Call 310-372-4477 or visit www.hermosabeachplayhouse.com. ER
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