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Photo by Brett Stanley/The Advocate
Sam Mowry (left) rehearses a scene from “King Lear.”
'King Lear'
Zimmer and his committed cast look to bring
Shakespeare's greatest tragedy to MHCC
The Advocate
Rehearsals for the MHCC winter production of “King Lear” are in full swing, according to director Rick Zimmer.
Though the play opens Feb. 26, Zimmer said, “We’ve been rehearsing seven days a week.” He said this is “because of the challenge of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy.”
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Some of the challenges of “King Lear” include the language and dialogue. “It’s intense, with a lot of difficult language,” Zimmer said.
He said, “We all need to work together as a cast” and that when it comes to performing, the cast needs “to be storytellers.”
Zimmer said rehearsals are going well for the cast and the current focus is on blocking the five acts of the play.
“Once they know where to move, we can start playing with characters,” he said.
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Zimmer also has Kendall Wells acting as a “fight director” and instructing the cast during “Fight Calls,” when the cast practices the swordfighting involved in the play.
“They need to be trained to do it safely — and then believably,” Zimmer said. “I really want the fight scenes to be exciting and dangerous and even grisly. That’s why I bring in a professional.”
Zimmer said the experienced actors he brought in have also made a difference. “Sam Mowry (King Lear) is a very strong actor,” Zimmer said. “Just being on stage with him makes you want to match his energy.”
Zimmer has given the cast a name, calling it a “Pro-am,” cast, as it is made up of both professional and amateur actors. However, Zimmer said he has confidence in the younger cast members.
“The new students we have are very, very good,” Zimmer said. “They’re bringing a great deal of energy and excitement.”
Zimmer said he brought in older actors to play alongside the younger actors so that cast members are playing roles within their age group.
“Lear is a generational play,” he said. “It’s about fathers and sons, and fathers and daughters.”
Zimmer said the cast is focused and committed to the play. “We all understand just how huge the undertaking is,” he said. “This is, from the get-go, probably the most committed cast I’ve had.
“We’re all committed to making the best production of ‘King Lear’ we can.”
“King Lear” will be performed in the MHCC College Theater from Feb. 26 through March 7. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.
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