Northern Vermont's home for contemporary theatre
Vermont Stage
  • Shows & Events
    • Airness
    • Venus in Fur 2023
    • The Bake Off 2023
  • Donate
  • About
    • Equity and Inclusion statement
    • Past Productions >
      • Winter Tales 2022
      • The Pitmen Painters
      • Women in Jeopardy!
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Where
    • Accessibility
    • Safety Precautions
  • Education
    • Vermont Young Playwrights
  • Contact
    • Available Jobs
    • Get Involved

Haley Rice on playing Nell and Maria

1/26/2015

 
Picture
What characters are you playing and how would you describe them to someone?
I’m playing Nell, who would be your sexy, nosy best friend whom you love because she cracks you up and will hold your hair for you if you get sick at the club. Nell has a heart of gold, but will put you in your place in a hurry. She’s also a necessary gold-digger and, how shall I say, has a sex positive view of things?  I’m also playing Maria. Maria is your disapproving grandma. Oh, Maria knows what you’re up to- sometimes before you know.  She’s worried that you’ll catch a cold, or that you’re not eating enough, but you’d better not try to pull anything over on her, because she will put a guilt trip on you that will take years to recover from. 

Is there anything about playing this role that intimidates you? 
Starting a show with a monologue to the audience is jitter-inducing, but it’s also kind of fun. Just the technicality of show is intimidating to me - costume changes, timing, remembering who you are next when you come through the door. Even though I play several characters,  I think I have the easiest changes. Poor John has all the difficult changes. He’s going to need some Gatorade and a towel for this show. And dear Chris almost never leaves the stage  . . .

What is your favorite line in the show? Why?
I have so many favorites! I absolutely love Lady Davenant’s speech. It cracks me up every time, especially when she talks about idle actors getting into trouble and making mischief. I do love the line “I wouldn’t give a rat’s balls for three of you.” Coming from the South, I am fond of colorful and descriptive language. I may have to work this salty sentence into my repertoire somehow . . . .

Is there anything about your character that you can relate to?
Nell is fabulous. I absolutely identify with her directness and openness, though she has both of those qualities in quantities I couldn’t even imagine possessing. She’s also funny and witty, which I can be on occasion, given the right combination of caffeine and subject matter.

Why should someone come to see this show?
It’s a hoot! It’s really unlike any show I’ve ever done or seen before in that it combines sexy farce with wit and history. It’s funny, but there’s some beautiful poetic moments. It’s a bit bawdy, but it’s also historically interesting. Also, there’s kissing and cross-dressing. And it’s only 90 minutes, which is the perfect length of time for a farce.


Comments are closed.

    Archives

    January 2019
    September 2018
    April 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013

    Categories

    All
    Acting
    A Doll's House
    American Hero
    A.R. Gurney
    Art
    Bess Wohl
    Beyond Therapy
    Blackberry Winter
    Christopher Durang
    Costuming
    Curious Incident
    Dancing Lessons
    David Ives
    Designing
    Directing
    Dramaturgy
    Fun Home
    Greg Pierce
    I And You
    Jon Robin Baitz
    Karen Zacarias
    Katori Hall
    Lauren Gunderson
    Liz Duffy Adams
    Mark St. Germain
    Mothers And Sons
    Native Gardens
    News
    Nina Raine
    Or
    Other Desert Cities
    Part 2
    Playwriting
    Q&A
    Slowgirl
    Steve Yockey
    Terrence McNally
    The Bake Off
    The Call
    The Dining Room
    The Mountaintop
    The Quarry
    Tigers Be Still
    Tribes
    Vanya And Sonia And Masha And Spike
    Venus In Fur
    Yasmina Reza

Season Sponsors
Picture
main street landing logo
Picture
Join our mailing list