A Q&A with Broadway's Ray Mercer

A Q&A with Broadway's Ray Mercer

Ray Mercer

Broadway Actor & Choreographer Ray Mercer is returning to the Omaha Community Playhouse as the Choreographer for our upcoming production of Ain't Misbehavin'! We asked Ray a few questions about his experiences on Broadway, his theatre career journey and his creative process.

Q. How did you get started in theatre?

RM. In middle school I would attend summer theater workshops. But I fell in love with theater when I did my first musical, Funny Girl, at OCP.

Q. Can you tell us about the moment you found out you were cast in The Lion King?

RM. That moment change my life forever. I was working as a flight attendant and living in Chicago. I had just flown back from an audition in New York and the first message on my phone was a casting agent saying that I had been cast in The Lion King. My life would be forever changed.

Q. What about The Lion King has kept you there for 17 years?

RM. The Lion King is a special show with very special people. I am grateful to be living within my passion. I am constantly inspired by the magic that the cast and crew brings to the show eight times a week. Inspiration has kept me there so long.

Q. What was your experience like moving from Nebraska to New York? Do you have any advice for aspiring theatre professionals looking to make the big move?

RM. I attended college in New Orleans and spent some time in Chicago before I moved to New York. It was an adjustment getting used to the fast pace of the city, but I instantly fell in love with all that New York had to offer. My advice would be if you are planning to make a career shift to New York, preparation is the key. Have a game plan, make connections and be prepared to stay focused and work hard. The city is very competitive and unforgiving at times.

Q. What is your process like when creating choreography?

RM. My choreographic process varies depending on the task, job or commission. I am constantly driven by the things that connect us all. Any thing that is humanistic--that is usually my starting point. When I find a topic that I am inspired by, I get the dancers or actors in the room and I start to develop movement. I build on that and eventually I will have structured a work.

Q. Who are your biggest influences?

RM. My biggest influence is LIFE. I am constantly influenced by the things that are happening in the world, conversations that I have had, books I've read. Everyday life is one of my main influences when creating art

Q. Why should people come see Ain’t Misbehavin’ at OCP?

RM. People should see Ain't Misbehavin' because it is a musical treasure. To celebrate Fats Waller's music is a gift within itself. The show is so full of life. You will laugh, you might cry, but you will be guaranteed to be inspired.

A Q&A with the Cast of Constellations

John Carlson and Jessica Johnson

Rehearsals for Constellations are underway, and actors John Carlson and Jessica Johnson are gearing up for opening night. We asked John and Jessica a few questions about Constellations, their relationship to their characters and what they love about the show.

Q. Describe Marianne. What do you find most interesting about her?

JJ. Marianne is very intelligent and able to think about and explain complex concepts in simple terms, but she is a bit socially awkward and not always great with people. She is sensitive and sweet but also confident in her intelligence. Most of all, she values her ability to make choices for herself and is determined to be able to do so, right up to the end.

Q. Describe Roland. What do you find most interesting about him?

JC. Roland is interesting to me in that he is ok with knowing what he knows, but equally ok with not knowing what he doesn’t know. He has an ease and a comfort that I’m hoping to take with me after the show as a souvenir.

Q. What do you think you are doing right now in an alternate universe?

JJ. I'm either relaxing with a drink on a beach in Tahiti or buried under a mountain of other people's laundry and dirty dishes. There is no in between.

JC. Absolutely anything that involves my flying car.

Q. How did you prepare to portray a quantum physicist?

JJ. In addition to having some great discussions with my costar about String Theory, I drew quite a bit from my own educational background as someone who holds a Masters' of Science. I reviewed some of my Research Methods resources, reoriented myself with Multivariate Statistical Analysis, and got a "Neil DeGrasse Tyson for President" t-shirt. I think I'm set.

Q. How did you prepare to portray a beekeeper?

JC. I wear the total beekeeper outfit to every rehearsal. No, actually, when I was a kid I learned Tai Chi from a gentleman that also kept beehives in his backyard. He would use the bees and how they live to describe some of the tenets of Tai Chi. As much as this sounds like the beginning of a really cool Kung Fu movie taking place in the high mountain ranges of Japan, it was just a strange preteen boy’s life in a small suburb outside of Hartford, CT. Anyway, it is interesting to think of him and his philosophy as I try to imagine Roland.

Q. What aspect of Constellations are you most excited about?

JC. Did I mention the flying cars? In reality, I like that this is a story we have all seen in one form or another, but, hopefully a new way to see it. That’s an exciting prospect to me.

JJ. I really love how Denise [Chapman] has so brilliantly staged the action and movement in the show, incorporating COIVD precautions while still creating an atmosphere of closeness and intimacy. I'm so excited for the audience to witness and be drawn in by it.

Q. What is your favorite line in the show?

JJ. It's a tossup between "We have all the time we've always had." and "You used to keep honey in trash bags?"

JC. “You don’t have to have toast.” I know, I know, it’s a little strange out of context. I suppose you’ll just need to come see the show or stream it to find out why it’s my favorite.

Q. Why should people come see Constellations?

JJ. This play is a beautiful and timely reminder of just how important it is to remember to live in and find joy in the moment, regardless of circumstances. John Carlson is a brilliant actor, Denise Chapman a phenomenal director and I think together with the rest of the creative and technical team we've created something very special that will bring the audience joy.

Q & A with Anna Dragon, Assistant Director of The Drawer Boy

Anna Dragon

As The Drawer Boy gets ready to open on Friday night, we asked Assistant Director Anna Dragon a few questions about the show, the rehearsal process and her experience as an OCP Directing Fellow.

Q. What is The Drawer Boy about?

A. The Drawer Boy by Canadian-born Michael Healey is a heartwarming story told through the eyes of Miles, a student actor, who is determined to discover truth in the rustic lives of two middle-aged farmers.

Q. How did you get involved with The Drawer Boy?

A. Around March 2019 I turned in my application for the Directing Fellowship because I saw an opportunity doing what I love (and using that liberal arts degree). After a long while of waiting through a whole pandemic, the amazing Anthony Clark-Kaczmarek asked me to be his assistant director. Although COVID guidelines did not allow us to do the play I originally interviewed for, Anthony introduced me to the lovely play that we're doing now. And to put it tritely, the rest is history.

Q. What has been your favorite part of the rehearsal process?

A. Truthfully, my favorite part is watching the actors discover new things about their character through a simple piece of direction mixed with their creativity. It reminds me once again of why I love theatre.

Q. What has your experience as an OCP Directing Fellow been like?

A. One word: welcoming. Being apart of such an amazing company after a year of quarantine is the most refreshing experience I could ask for. From the actors to the crew, I see passion driving all of their work. It inspires me everyday.

Q. What excites you most about The Drawer Boy?

A. I'm always excited to see how the audience will respond to the actors and their stunning performances. These talented folks worked their butts off and it shows.

Q. What can audiences expect from The Drawer Boy?

A. Lots of emotion. (A gentle reminder to bring tissues.)

Q. Why should people come see The Drawer Boy?

A. Come for the fun theatrical experience, stay for the characters you will absolutely fall in love with.

The Drawer Boy runs April 9 - May 2, 2021 in OCP's Hawks Mainstage Theatre. Ticket information here.

Also available to stream on demand April 16 - May 2, 2021.

OCP Announces the Cast of

Ain't Misbehavin'

We are so excited to announce the cast of our upcoming production of Ain't Misbehavin'!

Armelia - Leiloni Brewer
Charlaine - Dara Hogan
Nell - Tiffany White-Welchen
Andre - DJ Tyree
Ken - Justin Blackson

Congratulations to these talented actors! Ain't Misbehavin' opens in the Hawks Mainstage Theatre on May 21. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.omahaplayhouse.com/tickets/view/misbehavin/

**Cast of Constellations Announced**

We are so excited to announce the cast of our upcoming production of Constellations!

John Carlson as Roland
Jessica Johnson as Marianne

Congratulations to these talented actors! Constellations opens in the Howard Drew Theatre on April 30. Subscriber presale begins March 16 and tickets go on sale to the public March 23.

OCP Announces the Cast of
The Drawer Boy

Angus—Erik Quam

Morgan—Mark Thornburg

Miles—Olivia Howard

April 9–May 2, 2021

Hawks Mainstage Theatre

Subscriber Presale: Feb. 16

Public On Sale: Feb. 23

Pape's miniatures featured in Omaha Playhouse's 'I Am My Own Wife'

Photos by Natalie Weiss

There are many pieces to Charlotte von Mahlsdorf’s life that one might find intriguing. Her father was a brutal Nazi. She eventually killed him. She lived her life as an openly transgender woman. In Nazi Germany. And later during the Soviet regime. She is one of the most celebrated antique collectors in the world. She curated a world-famous museum in her own home.

But playwright Doug Wright was taken with a different piece of von Mahlsdorf: her furniture. Wright conducted extensive interviews with von Mahlsdorf and penned the story of her life in his play I Am My Own Wife. No story of von Mahlsdorf would be complete without her antique collection, and Wright knew her antique furniture was essential to his show. He also knew that many theatres would not be equipped to build full-sized replicas of the intricate—and large—antiques.

Enter Omaha designer Paul Pape.

You’ve probably seen Pape’s handiwork before. He was the mastermind behind Shrek’s custom ogre mask at the Omaha Community Playhouse in 2018, and his prop work has been featured on national stages, including The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

In 2001, Pape was brought on at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego to help with scenic and prop design for a brand new play. “It happened to be I Am My Own Wife,” Pape said. “I worked side-by-side while Doug Wright workshopped it with Jefferson Mays as the actor.

Doug Wright would go on to win a Pulitzer for the play. Jefferson Mays would pick up a Tony after starring in both Broadway and Off-Broadway productions.

But Pape, a grad student at the time, had no way of knowing what a sensation the show would become. “I never thought the show would move out of the new play territory.”

He was just focused on the furniture.

“Since my specialty is creating miniatures, I offered to create a set of 1:6 scale furniture for the production,” Pape said.” To re-create von Mahlsdorf’s pieces, Pape relied on a series of photos Wright collected during his time with von Mahlsdorf. “The furniture is based off of actual pieces in the museum. Doug had great research images that I was able to use.”

At the end of the run, Pape gifted the furniture pieces to Wright and thanked him for the opportunity.

“About a year later I was asked for permission for that set to be used on Broadway,” Pape said. “Of course I said yes.” The miniature pieces of antique furniture headed off to NYC, and the rest is history.

Pape’s tiny furniture is now an icon of the show. The original pieces Pape created were donated to von Mahlsdorf’s own Gründerzeit Museum. There they are housed alongside a copy of the I Am My Own Wife script and one of the show’s Tony Awards.

Pape created two additional sets of miniatures to be rented out to theatres for use in productions of the show. Somewhere along the way, one set was stolen.

“The one that OCP is using is the last remaining [set]. It has traveled all over the world. Australia, England, Zimbabwe, US and Canada. It's been in about 40 different productions. So there is a lot of history mixed up in that little box of miniature furniture.”

I Am My Own Wife opens Friday, Oct. 30 in the Howard Drew Theatre at OCP. Click here to purchase tickets.