"It's really about the magic that happens when you really settle into who you are, and allow yourself to be who you are, and all of the joys, and slings, and arrows that come with that" shared Jim Parsons on CBS Mornings October 21.
Parsons appeared on the morning program to discuss his return to small scale theatre in Classic Stage Company's Off-Broadway revival of Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty, and Terrence McNally's A Man of No Importance. The interview centers on his journey to develop an Irish accent, his early career in intimate theatre, and the value of telling "small" stories about everyday people.
"It's a small play, it's a small group of people in a small town setting, and that all fits in with that intimate vibe... it's really about the magic of theatre, and what it is to get together with a group of people to create something, and to pretend to be other people, it kind of becomes real. Whether you like this show or not, to see this show, if you have never seen theatre before, you could become addicted to theatre."
A Man of No Importance, which has already been extended once, will play through December 18. The production, previously set to complete its run December 4, will celebrate opening night October 30. Outgoing CSC Artistic Director John Doyle is at the helm.
Parsons leads the cast as Alfie Byrne, joined in the cast by Shereen Ahmed as Adele Rice, Alma Cuervo as Miss Oona Crowe, Kara Mikula as Mrs. Curtin, Da'Von T. Moody as Peter/Breton Beret, Mary Beth Peil as Mrs. Grace, Thom Sesma as Mr. Carney, A.J. Shively as Robbie Fay, Nathaniel Stampley as Father Kenny, Jessica Tyler Wright as Mrs. Patrick, Joel Waggoner as Ernie Lally, Mare Winningham as Lily Byrne, and William Youmans as Baldy O'Shea.
Based on the 1994 Albert Finney film, the musical tells the story of an amateur theatre group in 1960s Dublin and their leader, bus driver Alfie Byrne, who is determined to stage a production of Oscar Wilde’s Salome despite the objections of local church authorities. The original production won the 2003 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical.
Doyle, a Tony winner for his actor-musician revival of Sweeney Todd, also provides the production's scenic design, with costumes by Ann Hould Ward, lighting by Adam Honoré, sound design by Sun Hee Kil, and casting by The Telsey Office's Craig Burns. Orchestrations are by Bruce Coughlin, with electronic music design by Strange Cranium and music direction by Caleb Hoyer. Bernita Robinson is production stage manager with Hollace Jeffords serving as assistant stage manager. Judi Lewis Ockler is fight and intimacy director.
CSC's revival is produced by special arrangement with Tom Kirdahy and Mara Isaacs.
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