Brian P. Allen, Co-Founder, Executive and Artistic Director of the Good Theater at The Hill Arts, Congress Street, Portland, This Afternoon. Allen co-founded the Good Theater 21 Years Ago with Steve Underwood, Who Appeared in Today’s Performane as Well. Musical Directon is by Victoria Stubbs.
Some of the Cast Members Following Today’s Performance at Good Theater Whose Names This Blogger Didn’t Get!
Some More of the Cast Members Following Today’s Performance. They Are: Jen Means, Betsy Dunphy and David Bass Clark.
The 18 Member Cast of the Fast-Paced Musical “A Man of No Importance” Takes a Bow for a Sustained Standing Ovation Following Today’s Performane for Good Theater at The Hill Arts on Munjoy Hill.
“The future of our troup is uncertain,” Allie Byrne, told his troup of fellow actors on stage near the end of a performance of “A Man of No Importance,” this afternoon at The HIll Arts, 76 Congress Street. on Munjoy Hill. Byrne’s real name is David Bass Clark.
A prophetic statement with a twist of irony mixed in for good measure..
Just before Allie Byrne told his troup about its uncerain future, Brian P. Allen, co-founder, Executive and Artistic Director of Good Theater. told a stunned audience during the intermission that this show could be the last one produced under the auspices of the Good Theater at The Hill Arts.
The reason is that The Hill Arts long anticipated groundbreaking for its new addition is scheduled for this summer – making the Good Theater space unuseable. Allen was quick to point out that he and co-founder Steve Underwood are looking for another venue in which to produce their award winning productions. “But, if The Hiil Arts invites us back, we’ll gladly return to this venue,” said Allen. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” said this blogger. “The Hill will not be the same without Good Theater and its beloved co-founders here.”
Ironically, this production of “A Man of No Importance,”a Dublin based misical, is the 100th play that Allen has directed at the Good Theater in its 21 years as the theater in residence at The Hill Arts. “It’s the one show I wanted to do again. It’s a piece I like and I thought I had more to say in it,” Allen said. “It’s a beautiful story abou acceptance and tolerance. It resonates today.”
Allen has also directed plays in Raleigh, North Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia and New York City.
Allen first introduced this Terrence McNally book to Portland audiences in 2005 when it appeared on the stage of Good Theater with Allen directing it. Allen said he wanted to repeat the show, but this time differently than its first run in 2005. “The concept this time is that the actors also play instruments in the band while those, who are primarily musicians, are called upon to appear in scenes – completely blurring the lines between actors and muiscians” he stated in the playbill.
Three actors from the 2005 production appear in this version. They are Tim Bate, Betsy Dunphy and Steve Underwood. Tim Bate has been cast in a different role from the original production while the other two are playing the same roles they did 20 years ago.
At the end of the two plus hour production, Allen stood in the lobby of The Hill Arts, greeting patrons of his production – as he always does. Most were still absorbing the news and expressed their disappointment at it – many including this blogger – vowing to see the return to the Hill of Good Theater!
This is a fast-paced musical not to be missed for many obvious reasons!
This production runs until March 24, 2024. So, don’t delay since time is limited. Please visit www.goodtheater.com. The box office phone number is 835-0895.
For more information on the changes taking place at The Hill Arts, please visit post herein dated June 7, 2023.