Barbara Elliott
You might say that Chris Curry and Joe Miller are two nice guys in search of their inner good fellas. The pair are having a blast preparing for their roles as gangsters in the upcoming Pocahontas Drama Workshop production of Breaking Legs.
Breaking Legs is Tom Dulack’s comedy about a desperate playwright who seeks funding for his next production from some very questionable characters.
This is not Curry’s first appearance in a Drama Workshop production. He played what he describes as a “low level henchman” in Sherlock Homes, and also had a role in one of the productions in the festival of short plays a few years back. In addition to those roles, he has been an extra in several movies, including the scene in Dark Knight Rises when the football stadium blows up.
“I love movies, and it was fun to get a peek behind the scenes,” Curry said. “It was a really cool experience.”
In this production, his character, Mike Francisco, a wise guy turned theatrical producer, is larger and more central to the story line than anything he has done before. He is not only having to master the cadences of Italian mob speak, but also a ghastly laugh that strikes fear in the hearts of men. Although his character is admittedly not the best of guys, Curry believes Mike is doing things he thinks he has to do.
Curry is impressed by the professionalism of his fellow cast members and feels he really needs to up his game with this group.
“That laugh is the thing that is turning my head,” he laughs. “If I do it right, it might be a real confidence booster in the future.”
Unlike Curry, Joe Miller had not been in a play since he was eight years old and he had no aspiration to become an actor. In fact, he was so impressed after attending last year’s Drama Workshop production of The Cocktail Hour, he approached director Margaret Baker and offered to help in any way with future productions except being on stage.
“This group has existed for 25 years, and I wanted to be sure it kept going,” Miller explained.
Miller obviously had not heard of Baker’s legendary ability to talk people into auditioning. In Breaking Legs, he plays Frankie Salvucci, whose inability to pay his debts gets him in a spot of bother with his fellow mobsters. He says he is enjoying the experience, even though acting is outside his comfort zone.
“Given that I hadn’t done any theater before, I had no expectations going in,” he said. “It’s been a giant learning experience. For much of my life, I have gone to plays and enjoyed watching TV, so I had a sense of what was good acting and what wasn’t, but I didn’t know how it happened. It has been interesting to see how Margaret evokes different reactions and tweaks scenes.”
Unfortunately, Miller does not find any redeeming traits in his character.
“He a terrible guy—kind of cocky and racist—a horrible dude,” he confesses. “He doesn’t live up to his obligations and gets in over his head. As written, he is not very sympathetic.”
Nevertheless, Miller has embraced playing a character so unlike himself, and he believes anyone who has ever seen a gangster film will enjoy this fun and funny romp.
Breaking Legs will be performed at the Pocahontas County Opera House Friday and Saturday, September 20 and 21, at 7:30 p.m. each night. Language may not be appropriate for all ages. PG 13.
