Tuesday, September 17, 2024
If you’ve kept your finger on Green Bay’s theater scene over the last decade, you might recognize A Thousand Clowns, the opening show in Green Bay Community Theater’s (GBCT) 2024-2025 season.
Directed by Craig Berken, A Thousand Clowns follows out-of-work writer Murray Burns (played by Andrew Cole) and his 12-year-old nephew, Nick (played by 13-year-old Connor Kaad), who lives with him.
When the pair are visited by social workers one day, Murray “faces the prospect of finding meaningful employment, proving he is a fit guardian and handling a budding romance,” according to GBCT’s summary.
“When you first meet him, you think he doesn’t have any ambition,” said Berken of Murray. “He’s free spirited, wide open.”
Berken had trouble choosing a favorite character from the well-rounded cast, but he said that Murray ranks near the top.
The characters — and the study thereof — are one of Berken’s favorite parts of the show.
“I particularly like it. It’s a very interesting show. I had never seen it before, although GBCT did it about seven years ago. It’s a romantic comedy. It’s a fun show. It’s a thought-provoking show, gives the audience something to think about. There’s some real characters in it.”
Other characters include Murray’s ”very conservative, very uptight, very successful businessman” brother, Arnold, played by Thomas J. O’Donnell; Leo Herman, the host of the children’s show that Murray used to write for, Chuckles; Dr. Sandra Markowitz, played by [AWAITING CASTING NAME], one of the social workers investigating Nick’s and Murray’s case and Murray’s love interest; and Albert Amundson, Sandra’s boyfriend and coworker.
“Kids would relate to Nick,” Berken said.
Not having been named by his mother, Nick has been through “a dozen names over the last couple years” as he searches for a name that suits him.
Written by Herb Gardner, A Thousand Clowns originally premiered on Broadway in 1962, where it ran for 428 performances.
Its 1965 film adaptation was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture at the Academy Awards the following year.
GBCT’s production is sponsored by Harley and Patricia BoPray.
“It’s another good quality show from the Green Bay Community Theater,” said Berken.
Catch A Thousand Clowns at Green Bay Community Theater, 122 N. Chestnut Avenue, on Sept. 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 14 at 4 p.m.; Sept. 15 at 2 p.m.; Sept. 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 21 at 4 p.m.; and Sept. 22 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available at greenbaycommunitytheatre.csstix.com/, or you may call the GBCT box office at 920-435-6300.
