BLT presents 'U.T.B.U.' Kirkwood comedy opens Nov. 28
Husband and wife team Gary and Sue Collar are getting their actors off-book and into their roles at the Butler Little Theatre in preparation for their holiday offering, 'U.T.B.U," meaning "Unhealthy To Be Unpleasant." The comedy by James Kirkwood will open Nov. 28 at the theater at One Howard St.
Gary Collar is directing, with Sue Switzer as assistant director, and Sue Collar is producing the show.
The Collars were actually in the production 30 years ago. "We appeared in that production in the roles of J. F. Amber (Gary) and Anastasia (Sue)," said Gary Collar.
"It was exciting to introduce this show to a new audience."
In the show, U.T.B.U. is a whacky organization dedicated to righting the world's ills by extermination of all the nasty people in it. Spearheading this mission is a blind man. His target is an erstwhile actor whose 94-year-old mother won't give him the money to produce the play in which he wants to make a comeback.
The show boasts a large cast comprised of BLT veterans and a few newcomers. The Collars are not daunted by the size or experience of the cast, in fact, they find it energizing.
"Larger casts are interesting because they provide more dynamics through character interaction. Because everyone has their own plans and sub-plans," Collar explained. "It is great to work with new folks as well as those we've know for awhile. New people bring new energies and add to the synergy of the whole."
William Uggims, the leader of the U.T.B.U. group, is being played by Dave Neuhart of Cranberry Township. "He is an eccentric blind man who has found a very unique niche in life," said Neuhart. "William is very eccentric and somewhat mercurial; those traits along with his use of flowery language make this role a real challenge."
Playing the niece of protagonist J. Francis Amber is Alison Cary of Butler who recently appeared in the Comtra production of "The Mousetrap."
"Anastasia admires her uncle, the great theater actor, a great deal but is thoroughly intimidated by him," Cary said.
"She aspires to a career in the theater but, at age 32, it seems her dreams for success may never come to be. She is rather clumsy and awkward, but she has a kind heart."
Cary also sees the large cast as more of a positive than a negative. "It's great to work with such a large, talented cast. Each character is so interesting, and it's exciting to see each actor bring the character to life," she said.
Theater veteran Bonnie Cahill is starring in the role of Shirley Amber, the feisty ex-Vaudeville actress who is in the crosshairs of Uggims wrath. Cahill recently appeared as Massey Harbison at the Freeport Theatre Festival this past summer. "She's 94. I really have to watch my posture and my walk," said Cahill of the physical challenges of playing Shirley. "She may be spry, but she still has to move like she's 94."
Playing her companion is Linda Anschuetz of Lancaster Township.
"Connie Tufford is a middle-aged widow who is companion to Shirley Amber," Anschuetz said.
"She considers Shirley and her granddaughter, Anastasia, as her family; however, she doesn't care for Shirley's egotistical son, J. Francis," she explained.
"I loved Connie because she is a lot like me — warm on the inside but sarcastic when she disapproves," Anschuetz added, noting that, like any comedy, timing is the most challenging aspect.
The show opens the Friday after Thanksgiving and runs through Dec. 6. Tickets are $10.
This show is recommended for viewers age 12 and older.
<B>WHAT:</B> Butler Little Theatre's Production of "U.T.B.U. (Unhealthy To Be Unpleasant)"<B>WHEN:</B> Nov. 28 to Dec. 6, 8:15 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays and 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays<B>WHERE:</B> Butler Little Theatre, One Howard St.<B>TICKETS:</B> $10; call 724-287-6781 between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.<B>INFORMATION:</B> www.bltgroup.org
