The Red Carpet Community Theatre has welcomed Benjamin Dobbs to the stage numerous times over the past few years. He began his acting career 17 years ago on the Southwest Playhouse stage in Clinton. His first role was playing Will Parker in “Oklahoma.” Since that time, he has become a veteran in almost all aspect of theatre, except directing.
Dobbs served on the board of SW Playhouse for three years, along with being an assistant director and co-directing. This will be the first play where he was named director of RCCT’s next production, “Arsenic and Old Lace” by Joseph Kesselring.
“It’s always intrigued me how a director can verbalize an idea and the actors portray that idea. This cast got it. Whatever I told them, they got it,” Dobbs said.
He attributes this to the talented cast, and his ability to verbalize his directions. Dobbs said that he has some very talented people in this show, which has helped make the play full of humor and great acting. “The schedules have been hardest part of this production. This is a large cast, and the bigger the cast the harder the schedules are,” he added.
The play calls for 11 men and three women in the cast. Dobbs considers himself fortunate to have several seasoned actors.
“We have a lot of actors that have not been on stage for a while, and they are making their reappearance. Then, I have two that have never been on stage before. They have been easy because I think they feed off each other,” Dobbs explained.
He said that during auditions the two novice actors were great. Lexie Mosqueda especially impressed him by throwing herself on the floor. He was surprised when she said she has never been on stage before this. She is also one of the youngest in the production.
“Arsenic and Old Lace” is unique because of the humor in the play. It is considered “dark” humor, which is especially appealing to Dobbs.
“It is a classic that has been done many times before. Red Carpet has done it one other time, and Clinton has produced it a couple of times, I think,” Dobbs said.
As director he has taken on a larger part than directing. He designed the stage and built it. He noted that people don’t understand that a lot goes into being a director. There are little things behind the scenes that not everybody knows about.
“A director has to make sure we have shirts, make sure we have media, make sure that we have the right paint color, and we have enough material. He has to try to stay on budget. That hasn’t been hard because I think I’m pretty thrifty,” he laughed.
The stairs were Dobb’s biggest expense. He built them in such a way the theatre will be able to repurpose them for future productions. Although the director may not always be responsible for building the set, he is responsible for the design of the set. When Dobbs wanted to direct this show, he wanted to build the set himself. “When I decided I wanted to do this, I already had a picture, and it continued to grow. I laid awake at night. I don’t know how many times I’ve built this complete set from start to finish in my dreams,” Dobbs continued.
His wife, Christy Dobbs, has helped him with painting, along with giving suggestions along the way, He said that she has been phenomenal to work with and has given him a lot of advice. She has also assisted him in directing.
“When she has an idea, or going in a certain direction, she’s Johnny on the spot. Christy makes suggestions on all the love scenes and all the close intimate scenes. I backed away, and I turned that over to her. She’s good at that and knows what looks good,” Dobbs said.
He said that in the end, “The audience is understanding my sense of humor coming through. It is really so funny (the play). If you walk away from this show, not laughing, there is something wrong.”
The cast includes: Abby Brewster – Misty Musick; Martha Brewster – Donna King; Mortimer Brewster – Shaden Foresman; Elaine Harper – Sierra Duke; Jonathan Brewster – Zach Perry; Dr. Einstein – Alex Duke; Teddy Brewster – Joshua Barnett; The Reverend Dr. Harper – Jim Brown; Officer Brophy – Cody Crow; Officer Klein – Cecilia Gensman; Mr. Gibbs – Scott Jay; Officer O’Hara – Lexi Mosqueda; Lieutenant Rooney – Jim Hull; and Mr. Witherspoon – Basil Weatherly.
Make plans to see the show on one of the following dates: Friday, March 22 @ 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 23 @ 7:30p.m.; Sunday, March 24 @ 2:00 p.m.; Thursday, March 28 @ 7:30 p.m.; Friday, March 29 @ 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 30 @ 7:30 p.m. Note the changes in the second weekend performances, there is only one Sunday show.
Tickets will go on sale to season ticket holders on Monday, March 18, and to the general public on Tuesday, March 19. Season tickets are still available to purchase. Go to www.rcct.org to reserve a seat at this production.
