The Nerd Character Analysis
Hilarity and mayhem collide in “The Nerd,” the latest comedy staged by Vive Les Arts Theater in Killeen opening Fri. Apr. 8 at 7 pm. Written by the late playwright, Larry Shue, the plot centers on a surprise visit from Rick Steadman (The Nerd) to see his old Vietnam War buddy Willum Cubbert. During the war, Rick saved Willum's life, so Willum happily lets his friend stay for a few days until Rick's quirky personality and behavior become unbearable. Finally, Willum hatches a scheme along with his girlfriend Tansy and pal Axel to out-weird Rick to force him to leave.
“This is a story of Willum who can’t say no to anyone and that’s how I am too, so I don’t have to do a lot of acting,” laughed Jordan Michael Brinkman, portraying Willum. “When …show more content…
someone from his past enters his life, and turns it upside down, it all gets pretty crazy,” Brinkman added.
Set in Terre Haute, Indiana in the 1980s, the production has characters dressed in vintage 80s garb.
The scenes are filled with playful banter with quick-witted zings from the seven-member cast.
“The antics that Willum, Tansy and Axel do to get rid of Rick are hysterical,” said Jerry Juliano, playing a wise-cracking Axel, and a veteran of many plays at the theater. “It’s an instant kinship with this cast, we all click making it even funnier,” he said.
An over-the-top June Cleever is how Crystal Hansen described Tansy, an aspiring meteorologist and career-mined woman in love with Willum, but who is reluctant to give in to her true feelings for him. “ It’s a fun romance to watch because the audience ends up rooting for them to come together,” Hansen said. She revealed the play has a happy ending but with a twist.
A classically trained nerd by his own admission, Jonathan Spear plays Rick, a demanding role that requires him to tap into all his comedic skills. “It’s zany, light-hearted show with lots of physical comedy, like ‘80s sitcoms “Three Company,” Spear said. He applauds director Jerry Morrison for keeping the play crisp and entertaining. “Jerry knows how to make the comedy move, and not get bogged down. That’s why its fun to work with
him.”
Director Morrison once acted in Shue’s first play, “The Foreigner” but has never staged “The Nerd.” It’s not sophisticated like a farce Morrison said, but it has more types of humor. “I thought it had a lot of possibilities as a fun play, but it’s strictly just for fun,” Morrison said.
If You Go:
What: “The Nerd”
When: Apr 8 & 9, 7 p.m. and Apr 15 & 16, 7:00 p.m.
Apr 10 & 17, 2:00 p.m.
Where: Vive Les Arts Theatre, 3401 S. W.S. Young Drive, Killeen
Tickets & info: 254-526-9090 or vlakillen.org
“This is a story of Willum who can’t say no to anyone and that’s how I am too, so I don’t have to do a lot of acting,” laughed Jordan Michael Brinkman, portraying Willum. “When …show more content…
someone from his past enters his life, and turns it upside down, it all gets pretty crazy,” Brinkman added.
Set in Terre Haute, Indiana in the 1980s, the production has characters dressed in vintage 80s garb.
The scenes are filled with playful banter with quick-witted zings from the seven-member cast.
“The antics that Willum, Tansy and Axel do to get rid of Rick are hysterical,” said Jerry Juliano, playing a wise-cracking Axel, and a veteran of many plays at the theater. “It’s an instant kinship with this cast, we all click making it even funnier,” he said.
An over-the-top June Cleever is how Crystal Hansen described Tansy, an aspiring meteorologist and career-mined woman in love with Willum, but who is reluctant to give in to her true feelings for him. “ It’s a fun romance to watch because the audience ends up rooting for them to come together,” Hansen said. She revealed the play has a happy ending but with a twist.
A classically trained nerd by his own admission, Jonathan Spear plays Rick, a demanding role that requires him to tap into all his comedic skills. “It’s zany, light-hearted show with lots of physical comedy, like ‘80s sitcoms “Three Company,” Spear said. He applauds director Jerry Morrison for keeping the play crisp and entertaining. “Jerry knows how to make the comedy move, and not get bogged down. That’s why its fun to work with
him.”
Director Morrison once acted in Shue’s first play, “The Foreigner” but has never staged “The Nerd.” It’s not sophisticated like a farce Morrison said, but it has more types of humor. “I thought it had a lot of possibilities as a fun play, but it’s strictly just for fun,” Morrison said.
If You Go:
What: “The Nerd”
When: Apr 8 & 9, 7 p.m. and Apr 15 & 16, 7:00 p.m.
Apr 10 & 17, 2:00 p.m.
Where: Vive Les Arts Theatre, 3401 S. W.S. Young Drive, Killeen
Tickets & info: 254-526-9090 or vlakillen.org