THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 12, 1995 TAG: 9501120352
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
TYPE: Theater Preview
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
District Attorney Frank Parrish is a nerd.
But before the voters who swept Parrish into office get upset, a point of explanation.
Parrish, a veteran of area stages, has the title role in the Encore Theatre Company play, ``The Nerd.''
It is the veteran actor's first venture in stage in some time, but he said he could not resist the opportunity to star in the production Jan. 13, 14, 20 and 21 at the Elizabeth City State University Little Theatre.
``This is an over-the-top part,'' said Parrish, referring to the men he portrays - Kemp Hall, who sometimes calls himself Rick Steadman.
The role is fun and challenging, since the characters have distinctly different personalities.
The program describes Kemp/Steadman as ``totally immature and at cross-purposes with everyone. He is trying to get on everyone's nerves.''
Director Elizabeth L. ``Betsy'' Jones describes him/them more succinctly: ``He's an obnoxious nerd.''
He is also a laugh-getter.
``The Nerd'' was written by the late Larry Shue who also penned the equally hilarious, ``The Foreigner,'' which Parrish directed locally several years ago.
The DA is not the only figure of justice involved in the Encore Theatre production.
Attorney Mark Maland portrays Willum Cubbert, a man in a rut.
It seems that Steadman saved his life when the two were in the Vietnam War, making Cubbert beholden to him.
It is a familiar situation to movie and playgoers, a nicely worn plot, but ``The Nerd'' offers hilarious and unusual twists.
It is the kind of play that could safely offer a money-back guarantee if you can watch it without breaking up.
Helping in that department is an area newcomer, but a stage veteran, Deborah Parker, who portrays Wendy Waldgrave.
Parker is a recent arrival, coming to Elizabeth City from Virginia Beach.
``I love it here,'' she said, ``I absolutely love it.''
She loves the local theater scene.
``This group is not cliquish,'' Parker said. ``There's less stress, less pressure.''
The comparison is with theater groups in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Portsmouth where she was seen in such productions as ``Grease,'' ``Blithe Spirit'' and ``Cabaret.''
Parker is a medical technician on the night shift at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
``I go to work at 11:30,'' she said. ``After rehearsal, off I go.''
Three schoolchildren are also in the cast. They are Shannon Belden, a Northeastern High School junior and a member of the swim team who portrays Tansy McGinnis; Josh Turpin, a Perquimans County High School freshman who plays Axel Hammond, and Camden Middle School 7th grader Patrick J. Reaves who plays Thor Waldgrave.
Sue Filarecki, who describes herself as a domestic engineer, rounds out the cast, portraying Clelia Waldgrave. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Deborah Parker is flanked by Mark Maland, left, and District
Attorney Frank Parrish in Encore Theatre Company's ``The Nerd.''
Graphic
THEATER PREVIEW
The Encore Theatre Company presents ``The Nerd'' at 8 p.m. Jan. 13,
14, 20 and 21 at the Elizabeth City State University Little Theatre.
Playtime is 8 p.m. Tickets at the door are $4 for seniors and
students, $5 for others. For information call 338-5956.
by CNB