Meet the Cast of They Mystery of Irma Vep- A Penny Dreadful
We are thrilled to welcome back two of our favorite guest artists, Issac Wade and John Allee*, to kick off this campy thriller as we open our 28th season on October 4th!
We caught up with the stars of The Mystery of Irma Vep!
Pictured left to right: Isaac Wade and John Allee*
Q. How many shows/what shows have you worked on at Actors Co-op?
Issac: The Mystery of Irma Vep is the fifth show I’ve appeared in with the Actor’s Co-op. Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde was the first show I worked on followed by The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Around the World in 80 Days, and The Turn of the Screw.
John: Irma Vep is my fourth show with the Co-op! I've done mostly plays with "man" in the title - The Man Who Came to Dinner, Man for All Seasons, or written by a Kauf-"man" - 33 Variations, The Man Who Came to Dinner. There may or may not be a wolf-man in Irma Vep, so maybe I'll keep my streak going.
Q. Any favorite memories/moments/funny stories you have about working with us?
Isaac : I think one of the most interesting things is that all five shows I’ve worked on with the Actor’s Co-op is that each one has required us all to play multiple characters and each show has been increasingly more challenging in that regard either in terms of the number of characters or the physical demands of the play. In terms of those demands one of the funniest or most ridiculous for me was the fake mustache I had to contend with in Around the World in 80 Days. I always preemptively apologize to all costume designers because in a particularly physical show (much like this one!) I sweat profusely! And during Around the World in 80 Days I had to wear a giant Hercule Poirot-esque mustache for one of the characters, but had to remove it to play another one. It was attached with spirit gum, but unfortunately, my face was so wet from the profuse sweating that in it wouldn’t stay on my face when I switched back to that character. It would stay on for a minute or two and then one side would slowly begin to wilt off my face. Every head turn would cause it to slide more and as a result, that mustache became more of the character than I did!
John: Any favorite memories of mine would have to start with performing alongside Bruce Ladd. Once as his nemesis and once as his amanuensis. Greg Martin was the best audience a fellow cast member could want. And the best scene partner I never had was Treva Tegtmeier (we were in 2 productions together and our characters never spoke a word to one another). Also, I got to watch Nan McNamara fall apart in 33 Variations every night from the wings, and I'll be damned if I didn't cry every time.
Q. What is it about the Co-op that you appreciate or find different about working with us? What does working for the Co-op mean to you?
Isaac: The thing I most appreciate about the Actors Co-op is that everyone I’ve ever worked with....actors, directors, stage managers, producers, designers....every single person I’ve ever worked with here has been so incredibly supportive. The sense of unity and of banding together to accomplish the same goal is so deep in the bloodstream at the Co-op and it makes every single rehearsal and performance not just an enjoyable experience but a joy to be a part of. I am so grateful for every experience I’ve had here!
John: I appreciate the artistic integrity, the community spirit, the support, the sense of coming together to build something that's bigger than any one of us. Also, the parking. Great parking.
The Mystery of Irma Vep plays October 4 through November 10. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm; Sunday Matinees at 2:30 pm; Saturday Matinees 10/12 & 10/19 at 2:30 pm.
*The actors appearing in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors in the United States.