FIVE FAVES ENCORE
Five Faves
Longtime Civic denizen recounts special stage memories by
BEN ZYLMAN
The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre is 90 years old this season, and I am happy to say I’ve been a part of it for almost half of those years. Since making my debut at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre 40 years ago, I’ve had the good fortune of directing or acting in more than 60 Civic productions. As you might imagine, I’m usually in a quandary when asked to name my favorite shows. The roles, the people and the creative processes have all been uniquely wonderful, but here are a few of my favorite memories.
More than just a show I have always loved Oklahoma! Filled with colorful characters, incredible production numbers and beautiful music, it truly is one of my favorites. I directed a production of this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic that opened on Sept. 28, 2001, just 17 days after our country was subjected to the worst terrorist attack in American history. Hurting and fearful, patrons of all ages found healing and comfort in the familiarity of this simple slice of Americana. I’ll never forget the emotional impact of 500 audience members rising to their feet each night as they joined the cast in singing "God Bless America" immediately after the curtain call.
Not just another opening night The opening night of a new production is one of
the most exciting experiences in theater. There’s an indescribable energy and electricity both onstage and in the wings. And so it was in 1982 on opening night of Dracula — until one of the actors skipped from Act I to Act II mid-monologue, and no one on stage knew. The results of skipping pages of dialogue could have been disastrous if not for the quick thinking of our talented director, Kathy Mulay, a skillful cast and a hard-working crew. I’ll never forget Ms. Mulay sending an actor out on stage to advise the other actors of what had transpired and to get them back on track. At intermission, we huddled in the makeup room poring over the script, determining what had already been said, what had been omitted and what needed to be said in order to create some sort of continuity. Instant rewrites! When the curtain came down and the reviews were written, no one seemed to have been the wiser. 12 | ENCORE SEPTEMBER 2018
Mentors and more I can’t begin to tell you how thrilled I was in 1994 when Civic Director Jim Carver asked me if I would join him in a special production of the two-man comic romp Greater Tuna. Jim had a profound impact on me as an actor and director, and the opportunity to share the stage with my mentor was tremendously rewarding and a little frightening. All through the rehearsal process, Jim proved to be an incredibly generous scene partner, going out of his way to share the spotlight. I loved working with him on that project. Fast-forward to 2014, when Jim asked me to join him and Art Nemitz in a special production of The Sunshine Boys. Wow! After all the years of acting and directing, I learned so much from sitting back and watching these two “old pros” at work.