Maggie Roop Does Double Duty

Posted by Billy Christopher Maupin

Maggie Roop is currently appearing as Lady Vennesse/ Granny/ Ensemble in Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter, while rehearsing the role of Sister James in Barksdale Theatre's production of Doubt: a Parable by John Patrick Shanley, both productions being part of the Acts of Faith Festival. Here she fills out the questionnaire and then talks about pulling double-duty in these productions.

Hometown: Herndon, VA.

Audition song: "Stop and See Me" from Weird Romance. It's a gem.

Special skills: This is one of those things that I never know how to respond to. I can't juggle or skateboard or do handsprings. Apparently I'm good at staying calm in stressful situations! According to Jackie Jones this is true but I'm sure some would disagree!!!

Favorite word: During the recent presidential debates, I have enjoyed the use of the word "mobilize". I like that one.

First show ever saw: Les Mis at the National in D.C. when I was 7.

If you could go back in time and catch one show (Broadway or otherwise) what would it be?: Company with Raul Esparza!

Favorite show tune: Anything from Les Mis pretty much. I stick to my roots.

Least favorite word: I think my new least favorite is "wimple"!!

Favorite play: It's too hard to pick just one...my favorite new play that I saw recently is probably Frost/Nixon.

Favorite musical: Hedwig and the Angry Inch and The Wild Party (the Lippa version) are my faves in the Contemporary category. But I was brought up on Oklahoma! and Showboat.

Most played song on your iPod (or CD player): "Fidelity" by Regina Spektor or anything by M.I.A. especially "Hussel" or "Roadrunner". Oh, and Christina Aguilera suits any mood I might be in!!

Last book you read: Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut. Good stuff.

Sound or noise you love: The voices of my nephews and my cat purring.

Must-see TV show: LOST!!!! My new fave is Life.

Last good movie you saw: La Vie En Rose. It's the Edith Piaf movie. It's fantastic and everyone should see it. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I watched it a couple of days ago. Incredible acting and an amazing story. See it.

Sound or noise you hate: Whining. Even if it's me.

Worst job you ever had: I nannied for someone once who was less than enjoyable to work for. No names!!

First stage kiss: Evan Hoffman my senior year in high school! We were Billy and Hope in Anything Goes. He's also still acting! And we're still friends. Lovely.

Worst costume ever: Ok, don't hate me Liz Hopper, but once I was painted blue and wore thigh-high boots and a Kathy Griffin wig. It wasn't my favorite costume ever!!!

What turns you on (creatively, spiritually, emotionally)?: I like someone who is confidant in their creative abilities but with modesty and grace. I love when people thrive on other's input in making creative decisions. There is always another perspective or another approach. There is nothing like an energetic debate or discussion about anything, especially when it's something you love like your creative art!!

On doing double duty:
Working on Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter has been a unique experience for me because it has not been the only play on my plate in the recent weeks. I also have the pleasure of playing Sister James in Doubt: a Parable for Barksdale Theatre, directed by Keri Wormald.

Somehow in auditioning for both Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter and Doubt I failed to notice the overlapping Rump performances and Doubt rehearsals. In fact, Doubt tech starts during the closing weekend of Rump. The happy part was that I was cast in both shows, the downside was the realization by directors and managers and myself alike that I sadly cannot be in two places at once. Enter Jaquie O'Connor. Thankfully she was prepared to swoop in, learn my roles in Rump and essentially save the day! We share the part now and she will be joining the cast for her first performance tomorrow afternoon, 2/2 at 3pm. I look forward to my chance to see the show from the house in full. Should be glorious and sparkly and golden. Hooray!

It has been interesting to compare the two experiences as they happen side-by-side. A musical vs. a play, the Empire vs. the Barksdale, a smallish cast vs. a very small cast. The only real similarities have been that I thoroughly enjoy both casts and I am having a wonderful time with both shows, I am glad to say.

One of my favorite things about many of the plays I have done here in Richmond is the opportunity to be a part of something new, different or experimental. This is an aspect of Rump that I've enjoyed. The version we have is the only one that's been done. It is exciting to do something knowing that it is fresh and a discovery. The discovery we are exploring in Doubt rehearsals is a different brand. This is a fairly new play but it's had it's turn on Broadway, won that Pulitzer. The group of us, with Keri at the wheel, are finding so much in this play as we roll along. We are barreling through our first couple of off-book runs. And it is delightful!
While performing my amazing-overlapping-show trick, I have not come through unscathed. My scratchy throat is finally clearing up and that night when I couldn't see Billy Christopher's face because of a setting-in migraine is merely a glimmer in my past. It wouldn't be theatre without a little bit of turmoil. All-in-all, I am having a wonderful time. I just moved back to town in October and Richmond has welcomed me back with open arms. Thanks to all my cast mates and my two directors, and those two stage managers and all you tech fellas that make the world go round. Oh, and for you painters, our sets sure would be different if you weren't around!!!

This Lady in Waiting Gets Her Turn

Posted by Billy Christopher Maupin

I asked Jacquie O'Connor to write a bit about her experience in the show, to give a bit of a different voice and because she's got a very interesting part in the project. Maggie Roop, one of our four fabulous ensemble members, after being cast in RD, was also cast in Doubt: a Parable at Barksdale Theatre, so Jacquie will be playing the weekend performances for the remainder of the run. That should catch you up enough to jump into where Jacquie started telling the story:

When I got the call from Steve Perigard asking me if I was interested in understudying and stepping in for the very talented Maggie Roop in Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter I was thrilled! Way back when I used to perform all the time on the magnificent Theatre IV stage and I missed it. I have very fond memories of all the children shows I did at Theatre IV, but one of my favorites was the last one I did….King Island Christmas directed by Steve. It was special because I finally got to work with both Bruce Miller & Phil Whiteway in a play! Oh boy do I have stories…we had this lovely song about the Northern Lights that we sang about halfway through the show. This was one of those complicated lyric songs that take a while to memorize (even longer if you are not in your 20’s anymore). Phil "pie boy" (in the show) was having the same issue as most of us were. He however had a fun way to cover…Steve had directed us to circle around the Island while we sang and each time Phil passed me he would have this beaming smile on his face, acting his heart out, only instead of the words to the song he would be singing "la, la, la, la"…it made me laugh really hard. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed when he got the lyrics down. It was such a lovely show...hmmm is it time to bring it back?

Anyway, back to this understudy gig. So after the initial "YEAH" reaction I had to Steve's call…the DREAD hit me. I am NOT good at throwing myself into a show and learning songs, dances and lines in less then 2 weeks. I mean who is…OK, Joe Pabst is…but he is a freak of nature. I went to my first rehearsal feeling like perhaps I had made a mistake. I have to tell you in all honesty…this cast has made it so easy! They made feel like I had been a part of their family the entire time. No one told me to get out of the way as I shadowed (stalked) Maggie, and they never said no to a request to go over something with me. They are perhaps the most giving cast I have ever worked with.

Theatre IV has been kind enough to give me a full run-through this Weds night and then I on go on this Sat. Ready or not (I think I'm ready)…this has been such a fun journey and anything that goes wrong…well, I will just add that to my pile of fun theatre stories.

All Quiet on the Eastern Front

Posted by Billy Christopher Maupin

OK, Ok, ok. I know it's really All Quiet on the Western Front, but considering that the Empire Theatre is opposite of the West End (although it's still really downtown and not East End...nevermind). Just go with me here.

So it's the day before a major holiday, so staff of Theatre IV/Barksdale Theatre are on vacation. A very wonderful gift to have a holiday break. I'm not incredibly enamored of holidays, so I thought I'd come into the marketing office and catch up on a few things that got neglected in the midst of many, many, many shows running at the same time: A Christmas Story at the Empire Theatre (closed yesterday), Moonlight and Magnolias in Barksdale Theatre's Signature Season (running through January 20), Swingtime Canteen at Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern (extended through March 2), Bifocals Theatre Project's It's a Wonderful Life on Barksdale Theatre at Willow Lawn's Lobby Stage and then touring around the Greater Richmond area (closed Friday), and more Theatre IV touring shows for young audiences than I even know of (the fall tours have wrapped up, but a whole new batch begins rehearsing for the spring tours very soon).

Seems that our office has gotten a bit cluttered with office supplies, brochures, a delightful bottle of craft glue that seems to have its remnants dried to the bottom, and oddly enough a set piece from what appears to be a Christmas show.

With all of the ads, playbills, voucher donations, TV commercials, and many, many other projects that come out this office (with my fabulously diligent coworker Catherine Dudley and the best boss I think I've ever had, Sara Marsden) sometimes those things get left on the table.

I guess Christmas isn't generally the time when traditionally one reflects on what one is thankful for (I guess I missed that with Thanksgiving). But as I sit here thinking about all of those things, I have to feel very grateful. I'm working in theatre with tremendously talented, generous, hardworking people that are doing great things every day- for the audiences and community in Richmond and far, far beyond.

So. Back to tidying. Thinking of all the wonderful things to come (and all the "hecticness", as well) with spring tours, Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter opening at the end of January, Doubt: A Parable opening at Willow Lawn in February, Two Short Plays in the Bifocals series in February, as well, beginning a whole new season of shows at Hanover Tavern in March, and oh, so many more events, shows, and projects that will be interspersed along the way.

It really does bring a smile to my face.