The Nerd - 2008
The RTG has had great success with two plays written by the late Milwaukee playwright Larry Shue. In 1988 and 2006 we presented The Foreigner, which created gales of laughter both times. In 1990 the RTG presented The Nerd, again delighting audiences. Now The Nerd appears again, opening September 5 and running four weekends through September 28. This show, where even the title makes you laugh, is repeated with the same director and a fresh cast.
The Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, where Larry Shue was a member of the resident acting company, premiered The Nerd in 1981, showing audiences for the first time that the author had a way of taking ordinary people and stretching them into absurd behavior, with hilarious consequences. The Rep has since produced the play two more times to sellout houses.
So what makes this play such a hit? Like The Foreigner, the lead character is a nice, quiet, polite and agreeable guy (played by Shue in the original production). Architect Willum Cubbert is facing his 34th birthday, finding his life in a rut. His girlfriend is leaving to go out east, his job is not challenging, but he is content with the status quo. Willum’s birthday party is attended by his wise-cracking friend Axel, his girlfriend Tansy, and his boss Mr. Waldgrave and family. Enter Rick Steadman, about to turn Willum’s life upside down.
Rick once saved Willum’s life in Vietnam, though they never met. Now Rick appears at Willum’s apartment, to make good the promise that Willum would do anything for the man who saved his life. Soon we find out that Rick is a hopeless nerd, in the sense of being a boorish oaf, totally lacking in social graces and tact. Rick offends Willum’s boss with a game that involves paper bags and taking off shoes.
After the guests leave, Rick moves in with Willum, seemingly to stay forever. Willum’s good nature is sorely tested, and finally he conspires with Tansy and Axel to try to get rid of Rick by making him feel excluded at a dinner party. This includes increasing bits of hilarity, some including cottage cheese, and soon everything backfires.
One actor is reprising his role from the RTG’s first production. Ron Halvorsen will again play Mr. Waldgrave. “It’s great fun to be able to reprise a role I played 18 years ago,” says Ron. “It brings back fond memories of a great cast. I’m happy to say we have another terrific cast and for me, I plan to play Mr. Waldgrave even more disagreeable than last time. I think I was too young and handsome for the part back in 1990!”
The Nerd had successful runs in London and New York. Critics wrote, “the audience almost never stops laughing.”
The Nerd runs four weekends, September 5 through 28. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call the Box Office at 262-633-4218.
From the Managing/Artistic Director - Doug Instenes
Shue Kicks off Season
The RTG is launching into its 71st season with one of the funniest comedies we’ve ever had on our stage. I knew Larry Shue, the playwright of The Nerd, because in the 1980s he lived in the Plaza Motor Hotel in Milwaukee, which was managed by my grandmother. I spent time there working as a front desk clerk, and I remember seeing Larry Shue sitting in the lobby and taking notes as he saw people come and go. Little did we know he was creating comedy as funny and absurd as this, well worth repeating on our stage.
We hope you enjoy The Nerd, as a new generation of theatre goers gets to experience the special talent and humor of Larry Shue. It kicks off a season packed with great comedies and musicals.
The best way to enjoy the RTG’s 71st year is as a season ticket holder, so you’ll have a guaranteed seat and won’t miss a single production. We are continuing to sell season tickets through the run of The Nerd. Buying season tickets is easy, or choose the popular flex plan, allowing you to select the plays you like.
Now in its third year, Comedy Tonight is another hugely popular series at the RTG. The lineup of four nights of comic entertainment, including Milwaukee’s John McGivern, sells out quickly, so buy your tickets soon. Brochures about Comedy Tonight are available at the box office.
Enjoy the hilarity of The Nerd, and come back again for the whole season of the best in community theatre. The Racine Theatre Guild has been lighting up lives for 70 years, and we’d like you to be with us!
THE NERD
by Larry Shue
Sponsored by Northwestern Medical Center, LLC
CAST
Willum ............................ Chris Smith
Tansy .............................. Lori Minneti
Axel ................................ Brian Schalk
Warnock ........................ Ron Halvorsen
Clelia .............................. Sam Shelby
Thor ............................... Conlan Ledwith
Rick ............................... John Strack
CREW
Director ...................... Norm McPhee
Scenic Design .. Stephen Krempasky
Technical Director ...... Brian Morgan
Prod. Stage Mgr. ......... Sharon Johnson
Stage Manager ............ Mike Shelby
Asst. Stage Manager ... Kelli Kauzlarich
Light Design ................ Kevin Edmonston
Light Technician ........... Jeff Kauzlarich
Sound Design .............. Eric Goodwin
Sound Technician ........ Jeremy Koleski
Costume Design .......... Cindy David
Wardrobe Supervisor .. Donna Nielsen
Props .......................... Jim & Lisa Rasmussen