Twenty Seven (aka Way Downriver)

Clockwise from top left: At the center of a raft of roughnecks, as the Cajun, and as "the governor's man," Mr. Allen. I also played a displaced cotton farmer in this Alabama Shakespeare Festival world premiere, but always seemed to have my head down when the photographer was snapping pictures. I should probably try to work on that. 

Martin Bowsfield

Preparing to settle a score in the film's title role. Man, that gun was heavy. Nobody told me there'd be shooting. Those things make noise too somehow. 

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Talley's Folly

As Matt Friedman, with Erin Joy Schmidt as Sally, in Lanford Wilson's two-hander at Palm Beach Dramaworks. 

Lifeline

This play's not big enough for the three of us! Nor was the set, stage or block. And you should have seen the dressing room! Everyone else did. 
But one thing that was enormous was the great fun at the Abingdon Theater. At least when I was awake... due to scheduling issues, there was at least one 24-hour period each week when I performed with no sleep. 
They graciously let me curl up on couches, cots and laps, and jokester Buzz Roddy (at left) only dipped my hand in cups of warm water a few times. The woman in red is Carole Monferdini.  

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The Flag Maker of Market Street

At the Alabama Shakespeare Festival with Jack Koenig (left). Doubtless I'm telling him about how much I wanted to organically incorporate that spittoon at the foot of the stove into this play, but our director ultimately decided it would be too unsanitary. Heavy dramaturgical discussions on this one. 

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Blood Divided

Still at ASF, this time arguing with Billy Eugene Jones over who would get that last slice of prop cake backstage, after this scene. That's a blurry Sloan Grenz in the middle, reminding us to be mindful of a our carb intake. 

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An Error of the Moon

A boy can't go off to war without a harmonica in his belt. Not to the Civil War, anyway. With Erik Heger (center) as Edwin Booth and Andrew Veenstra (right) as John Wilkes Booth. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

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The Good Negro

Let's see, was I in "The Good Negro"... or "Bewitched"...? That's me with Steven Walters and Joe Nemmers in the Dallas production. Notice the expert hand acting from all three of us.

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... and here in New York, only with new "Darrens," Erik Jensen and Quincy Dunn-Baker. We had abandoned the hand technique in favor of intense staring for the East Coast run. Photo by Joan Marcus.

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And when time allowed, we would bug the Civil Rights Movement. That's Curtis McClarin helping Joniece Abbott-Pratt look for a squirrel he'd lost somewhere. Photo by Joan Marcus.

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Moonlight and Magnolias

Phoning in my performance as David O. Selznick at Capital Rep...

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... then getting the smackdown from Robert Krakovski and David Deblinger...

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... and finally at the end of the play, with David Deblinger and Mary Ann Conk. I suddenly seem to be dressed as Han Solo for some reason. Photos by Joe Schuyler

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The Taming of the Shrew

Back at Cap Rep to take on Hortensio. Too bad it looks like my fly was open. Way to get the show off to a good start there, Wallace...

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... And three and a half hours of romantic hijinx and light-hearted misogyny later, here I am again, and none too pleased with my own new wife. With Kim Stauffer as Kate, Corinne Salon as the ball and chain, and Michele McShane as "Annabella," who was a manufactured character, since the role of Biondello had been cut from our production. I wanted to call Michelle's character "Papilloma," but  we had a lot of student matinees on this  show. Photos by Joe Schuyler.

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American Primitive: John & Abigail

As John Adams at the Berkshire Theatre Festival. Yes, that John Adams. Who knew things could get so randy up there in Braintree? I suppose every man has his needs--especially when he's been off fomenting revolution. Starring Tabitha McKown as my babies' momma, Abigail. Photo by Kevin Sprague.

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The Caterers

With Judith Hawking and Ian Blackman in the Immediate Theater production. The show, written by Jonathan Leaf, was nominated for three New York Innovative Theater Awards. Photo by Ryan Kravetz.This photo captures Judith and me in one of our friendlier moments.

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Power Play/The Death of Zukasky

With (l-r) Michael Frederic, James Ganser, and Katie McDermott in "Power Play" at the Lake George Dinner Theatre, directed by Terry Rabine. My first mustache as an adult. The producers gained permission from author Richard Strand to change his title from "The Death of Zukasky," because they feared this very clever comedy would be mistaken for a dark, Russian tragedy by potential audiences. I myself showed up for the first day of rehearsal wearing some pince-nez and banged my shoe on the table a lot. Photo by Neil Akins.

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The Brothers Karamazov

And speaking of tragic Russians.... here I am as moody middle brother Ivan in a stage adaptation of Dostoevsky's novel by Eugenie Leontovich. No doubt I'm scowling because they never changed out the tea in that samovar. I don't know who took this photo... probably someone's grandmother in the third row. 

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