I promised myself I wouldn’t do another play for a while after finishing Inspector Hound in June, but a week later I accepted the role of Adam in Frank McGuinness’ play Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, premiering tomorrow night.
I find it hard to say no when approached by a director I really want to work with, or if a lot of my friends are involved, but after this play is over I’m absolutely taking a break. This time I mean it.
Unless the director flatters me by saying, “The theater community has seen your handsome acting technique; now let’s take it to the next level and show them your even handsomer acting technique. And if we have time let’s also show them you can act.”
Unless my leading lady is really attractive and doesn’t know I’m married.
Unless someone offers me the lead role in a theatrical adaptation of the TV show Mr. Belvedere.
Unless I’d be playing opposite Olivia Newton-John and there’s a scene where we get married and I can hire a real minister to perform the ceremony so she’ll have no idea we got married for real and when she finds out the truth and gets angry there’s also a scene in the play where a marriage counselor convinces her to give it a chance.
Unless I get to work with Vin Diesel and he plays the role of a guy I beat up because his movies are terrible.
Unless I play the role of a guy who turns down theater roles, thus fulfilling my promise to myself to turn down theater roles.
Unless I get the chance to work with one of my acting heroes like Paul Newman’s ghost.
Unless the play takes place in my house and the rest of the cast play decorators who paint and finish putting away all the stuff from our recent move.
Unless I get to take part in a technological breakthrough like performing the first play in 3D.
Unless my wife starts acting and people say she’s better.
…..
Don’t forget to vote in the caption contest.
Laura
September 21, 2012
Paul Newman is dead? I’ve been eating a dead man’s salad dressing?
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
That’s hilarious! That goes in the comment hall of fame.
likeablegirl
September 24, 2012
You didn’t see the new slogan “made from REAL PAUL ingredients”?
Carl D'Agostino
September 21, 2012
I am a very good actor. I have convinced people I am relatively sane for over six decades.
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
That’s a good start.
Tor Constantino, MBA (@torcon)
September 21, 2012
I guess I don’t understand the theater – I thought all plays were in HD 3D…
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
Maybe I’m hazy on the definition of 3D.
Vanessa Chapman
September 21, 2012
I LOVE doing plays, I miss doing plays, haven’t done one for years. I’ve been doing some films and adverts and stuff, but nothing beats theatre darling!
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
I love the energy of the theater and the fast friendships you develop with the other actors and crew. I went a lot of years between plays and I forgot how much I enjoyed it.
Chase McFadden
September 21, 2012
You had me at Olivia Newton John…
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
I’ll try and mention her in all future posts.
dianasschwenk
September 21, 2012
Unless the play takes place in my house and the rest of the cast play decorators who paint and finish putting away all the stuff from our recent move. Love that line!
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
I might even offer to direct that one.
Val
September 21, 2012
All the fun you could have beating up actors who are terrible… I can think of a few James Bond actors who fit that bill. The only trouble then is you might beat ’em up too much and then have to act with their ghosts…
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
Are you thinking of Roger Moore?
Val
September 22, 2012
Could be… or even…
mimijk
September 21, 2012
Unless you’re asked…and then you can lower your eyes and accept with the most heartfelt humility..
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
That’s always worked in the past.
beachesandpeaches
September 21, 2012
Merde! Omg I’m emailing my friend Kathryn in Hong Kong immediately to tell her to go see your play!! Maybe she’ll say hi if she does! (Maybe she won’t).
Michelle Gillies
September 21, 2012
Really? Olivia Newton John? I have to say I am impressed.
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
She’d be hard to say no to.
bluebee
September 21, 2012
What’s with Shanghai and English theatre? Seems to be more English plays staged there than in this Anglo-Saxon outpost. Do you perform in English?
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
Yes we perform in English. There’s actually a huge community of European, Australian, and American expats here.
Hippie Cahier
September 21, 2012
I would walk to Shanghai to see you in a role with Paul Newman’s ghost. I would.
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
I’ll try and get the message to him.
aFrankAngle
September 21, 2012
Dang …. a theatrical version of Mr. Belvedere with Olivia Newton John and Vin Diesel would be a can’t miss.
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
Vin Diesel better not want the part of Mr. Belvedere. That’s mine!
susielindau
September 21, 2012
Those are a lot of conditions that could easily come true. You better prepare yourself for a lot of interesting roles…
Will your wife record it? I would love to see it!
modestypress
September 21, 2012
Let me see you play Hamlet. Sorry, I meant the ghost. I’m sorry, I can’t see you. Play more visibly.
Speeder
September 22, 2012
Wow! some pre-teen obsessions die hard! i.e Oliva newton-John….Especially when Zooey is free now and available.
charlywalker
September 22, 2012
Let’s Get Physical…..physical….ooohhh..is she wearing her headband?
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
She’s wearing the roller skates from Xanadu.
charlywalker
September 24, 2012
Sans Leg warmers…
Rachael Black
September 22, 2012
Utterly hysterical list. Now, in the Olivia Newton-John performance will there be any roller disco? Do you get to beat up John Travolta at some point?
Now I’ll never sleep due to your potential answers and actions. Acting too.
Note: Get Michael Bay film your next final play.
crazywritermsc
September 22, 2012
I “borrowed” a friend’s pencil case today and hid it in my bag (yes, I’m a senior in high school), and I think I deserve an Oscar because when he asked for it I managed to convince my very suspicious friend that I’d put it right back after looking at it. He still has no idea where it is. 🙂
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
It’s sad how nobody appreciates the acting ability required to convincingly pull off petty theft.
crazywritermsc
September 25, 2012
It’s also sad how, when I gave it back to him today, he didn’t appreciate the “theft” as a harmless joke between friends….
Elyse
September 22, 2012
You can have one of my Oscars, GG. You earned it.
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
I hate to sound ungrateful, but just one?
Elyse
September 22, 2012
Well, I only have two so I thought I was being quite generous!
kathrinjapan
September 22, 2012
My god. From one actor to another, you just read my mind.
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
Maybe I was reading your mind, or maybe I’ve been secretly reading your email.
Love & Lunchmeat
September 22, 2012
Seriously, Olivia probably WON’T realize you’re married. (Remember the missing ex-boyfriend…) Hopefully, Paul Newman’s ghost doesn’t show up and ruin things. I’ll bet he’s a handsome bastard, even dead.
The Good Greatsby
September 22, 2012
You’re right; if Olivia can misplace a boyfriend then I like my chances of pulling this off.
diannegray
September 22, 2012
I once directed a play where the cast and crew painted and decorated my house. It was a comedy.
Soma Mukherjee
September 22, 2012
I really hope and will pray that one day you meet Vin diesel and beat him so bad that he quits living..i hate his stupid movies…
Snoring Dog Studio
September 22, 2012
I couldn’t bring in a stellar performance even if I were appearing in a play with a cast that included a bottle of Paul Newman’s salad dressing. So, you act away, man!
She's a Maineiac
September 22, 2012
I would pay big bucks to see you as Mr. Belvedere beating up Vin Diesel.
When are we going to see a clip of your acting abilities?
thelifeofjamie
September 22, 2012
What if you had the opportunity to work with The Life of Jamie in an adaptation of ALF?
cooper
September 22, 2012
What makes you think your wife isn’t acting??????
The Good Greatsby
September 23, 2012
She’s kept the act going for so long; I’m constantly worry she’ll break character at any moment.
Lorna's Voice
September 23, 2012
Actors…so many demands. You really do have a future in the theater!
The Good Greatsby
September 23, 2012
I’m hoping making a lot of demands will trick them into believing I’m an actor worthy of making a lot of demands.
likeablegirl
September 25, 2012
Seems to work for J-Lo.
zannyro
September 24, 2012
I have no desire whatsoever to climb back into my sequined pumpkin again this Halloween and act like a deranged fortune teller…unless of course, I was offered the role of a deranged I dream of Jeannie sitting in a sequined pumpkin this Halloween,,,and I was offered the body to wear the Jeannine Costume….I’m looking in my crystal ball at this moment…and I’m afraid that I see a future packed with acting jobs for you….but in all of these jobs, you’re wearing long droopy, furry ears and shouting,”,kibbles and bits”…don’t quite know what to make of this.
spilledinkguy
September 25, 2012
Somewhere…
Vin Diesel is sobbing…
HoaiPhai
October 31, 2012
I can’t tell you how envious I am that you can get up there and act. I prefer to stay in the audience unless I was offered the chance to do a one-man version of 3rd Rock from the Sun or to play in a Bond flick as the guy who keeps stealing 007’s girlfriends.