Didi Olney of Lusby, left, as Lenya Von Bruno; Frank Clever of Sunderland, as Otto Von Bruno; and Nick Hageman of California, Md., as Professor Fenton, rehearse a scene from New Direction Community Theater’s upcoming production of “Bullshot Crummond.” The two villainous characters have plans for Professor Fenton.
J.R. Cook of Lexington Park, right, portraying the character of Bullshot Crummond, rehearses a scene with Amanda LePore of California, Md., who plays Rosemary Fenton in New Direction Community Theater’s upcoming production of “Bullshot Crummond.” Behind them is Nick Hageman of California, Md., who portrays many characters throughout the play.
Villains Lenya Von Bruno, played by Didi Olney of Lusby, and Otto Von Bruno, played by Frank Clever of Sunderland, conspire together in the upcoming production of “Bullshot Crummond.”
Didi Olney of Lusby, left, as Lenya Von Bruno; Frank Clever of Sunderland, as Otto Von Bruno; and Nick Hageman of California, Md., as Professor Fenton, rehearse a scene from New Direction Community Theater’s upcoming production of “Bullshot Crummond.” The two villainous characters have plans for Professor Fenton.
PHOTOs BY CAROLYN HARDY
J.R. Cook of Lexington Park, right, portraying the character of Bullshot Crummond, rehearses a scene with Amanda LePore of California, Md., who plays Rosemary Fenton in New Direction Community Theater’s upcoming production of “Bullshot Crummond.” Behind them is Nick Hageman of California, Md., who portrays many characters throughout the play.
PHOTO BY CAROLYN HARDY
Villains Lenya Von Bruno, played by Didi Olney of Lusby, and Otto Von Bruno, played by Frank Clever of Sunderland, conspire together in the upcoming production of “Bullshot Crummond.”
New Direction Community Theater will present “Bullshot Crummond” at the Long Beach Community Center at 7 p.m. April 27 and 28 and May 4 and 5. A spoof on comedic detectives set in the 1930s, the show involves evil villainous plots, manufactured diamonds, damsels in distress and a missing scientist.
J.R. Cook of Lexington Park plays the title character of Bullshot Crummond and hero of the play. Cook said he is enjoying this play because it is a smaller production than he is used to and playing the title character is fun. He said there are a lot of lines and responsibilities in the part.
Didi Olney of Lusby plays Lenya Von Bruno, the villainess of the production. She said she enjoys the dynamics of performing in a farce because of the timing involved and trying to master a German accent as well as bringing the right level of evil into her character.
Amanda LaPore of California, Md., plays Rosemary Fenton, the daughter of a kidnapped scientist who has the secret formula for a manufactured diamond. She said this is her third show with New Direction and she “had a blast doing it.”
Nick Hageman of California, Md., plays multiple characters, including Professor Fenton. He said his experience in this play can be overwhelming because of the number of characters he plays, but that he “actually auditioned for this part so that I could stretch myself in terms of acting.”
Having to change accents and characters is fun and challenging, Hageman said.
Frank Clever of Sunderland, who portrays Otto Von Bruno and Salatore Scalicio, said it is the largest part he has ever played in a show. He said he came to the theater group after a 30-year break from working in the theater.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to get a part at all and here I am playing the villain. I’ve always, always wanted to play the villain. I am very excited about that,” Clever said.
In one scene, he plays two characters and switches from one character to another.
Sherry Mervine is the artistic director for New Direction and the director of this production. She said the play is designed as a “black box theater,” which means it is one set where the pieces are added as the show progresses, rather than having three or four distinct set areas. This works well for them, she said.
New Direction Community Theater stages three productions per year. “Bullshot Crummond” is the first for 2018. Later this year, they will perform “Sing On” Oct. 5, 6, 12 and 13 and “Alice at Wonderland,” which will be performed by children, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7 and 8.
New Direction also conducts workshops for adults and children intended to be fun experiences to learn more about acting. Learn more at www.ndctheater.org.
Show tickets can be purchased through the theater group’s website or at the door.