This is Part 5 in a series of interviews with the cast and director of 1st Stage’s production of Noises Off. Meet Blair Bowers.
Joel: Why did you want to become a member of the cast of Noises Off?
Blair: This show is really funny and fun to be in. It’s almost as simple as that. Add on to that getting to work with talented actors, including my beau, the amazingly talented Dylan Myers, a wonderful director, the hilarious Doug Wilder, and a chance to work at 1st Stage, and it was just sort of a perfect opportunity.
Who do you play in the show and how do you relate to her?
I play Brooke/Vicki, who is a ditzy, well-intentioned, but very mechanical actress so, of course, I relate to her on every level. She’s actually quite delightful to play and I have a lot of fun with her.
What is the play about from the point of view of your character?
I think for Brooke being in Nothing’s On is the next big step in her career. This is her first legitimate stage production and she is going to get it right even if no one else does.
What do you admire most about Brooke, and what do you not admire about her?
I admire Brooke’s enthusiasm. I think she really enjoys being in this show and so do I so it works out for both of us. She is, however, rather inflexible in her acting, but it comes from a good place. If everybody else wasn’t messing up, she’d be perfect…er, well, that’s the Brooke in me talking.
What did you learn about yourself as an actor while rehearsing and performing this crazy show?
I went into this thinking, “Oh, man, it’s going to be so hard to play someone so ditzy and goofy because I’m so very smart and serious,” but it wasn’t. It really wasn’t.
What is the nuttiest thing that has happened in rehearsals and onstage?
Well, we did have our director go on for Belinda on opening night. I don’t think it can get nuttier than that.
What are you doing to keep up your energy?
I ingest a lot of caffeine, probably unhealthy amounts, but it’s effective.
What character is so much like you, and why?
I guess I would choose Belinda because she’s always trying to fix things, but I do share Vicki’s problems with contact lenses and I can be pretty spacey, as well.
What line that someone else says is your favorite?
I adore when Jason playing Tim comes out as Phillip. Everything he says is hilarious to me. I am cracking up back stage every night. “I shouldn’t have toucheded it!”
What is the toughest scene for you and which scene is your favorite?
I get yelled at by Lloyd and sometimes it is very hard to look sad when I want to crack up. I can’t pick a favorite scene without explaining the whole show – so just come see it and pick your favorite.
What are you doing next on the stage after Noises Off closes?
I’m leaving! I’m heading off to Los Angeles – so everyone wish me luck. I’ll probably be back in three weeks.
What do you want audiences to take with them after seeing Noises Off?
Honestly, I just want our audience to have a good laugh completely at our expense.
Noises Off plays through December 29, 2013 at 1st Stage in Tysons Corner— 1524 Spring Hill Road, in McLean, VA. For tickets, call the box office at (703) 854-1856, or purchase them online.
LINKS
Amanda Gunther’s review of Noises Off on DCMetroTheaterArts.
Interviews with the director and cast of Noises Off by Joel Markowitz.
-Making Some Noise: Behind the Scenes of 1st Stage’s ‘Noises Off’: Part 1: Director Doug Wilder.
–Making Some Noise: Behind the Scenes of 1st Stage’s ‘Noises Off’: Part 2: Mario Baldessari (Selsdon).
-Making Some Noise: Behind the Scenes of 1st Stage’s ‘Noises Off’: Part 3: Matthew Pauli (Lloyd).
-Making Some Noise: Behind the Scenes of 1st Stage’s ‘Noises Off’: Part 4: Kate Karczewski (Poppy).
-Making Some Noise: Behind the Scenes of 1st Stage’s ‘Noises Off’: Part 5: Blair Bowers (Brooke).
