Wilde nights for Elijah Alexander

Elijah Alexander is Lord Goring and Stacy Ross is
Mrs. Chevely in California Shakespeare Theater's
"An Ideal Husband." Photo by Kevin Berne

One of the most exciting actors to emerge from the California Shakespeare Theater’s company – not an official company but a collection of great performers we see over and over again – is Elijah Alexander, who is about to open his third summer show for the Orinda troupe.

Alexander, who has been seen in “Restoration Comedy” and “Man and Superman,” is now playing Lord Goring in Oscar Wilde’s “An Ideal Husband” directed by Cal Shakes artistic director Jonathan Moscone. The show begins previews July 2 and continues its run under the stars through July 27.

During a break from rehearsals, Alexander offered some insight into Wilde, Moscone and a possible relocation to the Bay Area.

On Wilde’s language: “Honestly, when I was reading the play, every line I get to say I thought, `God, I wish I had written that, I wish I had thought that!’ But then I would remind myself that I get to think and say that on stage. It blows my mind. Wilde’s epigrammatic style makes every line a gem. But that’s the challenge. You can’t play epigrams. You have to play the action, so the biggest challenge is finding what’s happening underneath. This is much more difficult than the Shaw last summer, more difficult to memorize. I find Wilde hiding behind humor, using humor as a deflection to impart wisdom, advice and social commentary. The challenge is to make it organic.”

On working for a second summer with Jonathan Moscone: “He has huge energy and is magnanimous. He expects the same from his actors. He creates a safe space to work, so it’s safe to be fearless and do foolish things and go out on a limb. I think Jon is like me: he doesn’t sleep. He comes in in the morning and uses every moment. To us, the idea of taking breaks is unnecessary. When you’re in the zone, you want to keep driving through. We’ve got this insatiable passion for that. We arrive in the morning having dreamed new ideas, ruminated, and obsessed over these ideas. Jon is there all the time, completely in it, completely involved and excited. He wants to excite other people. I’m so proud to be in his work.”

On relocating from LA to the Bay Area: “I love the level of intelligent, informed, proactive people here. I love the consciousness of the people here, the diversity, the music. San Francisco is the most beautiful city in the world. I just like the energy, the vibe. I always thought, even when I moved to L.A., that it was not long term for me and that I’d eventually settle in this area. If you’re Sean Penn, you settle here and the work comes to you. That was my big dream. But still, I’d rather be here. L.A. doesn’t require as much of you as this place.”

On the importance of theater: “You have so many great theater companies in the Bay Area, and I think they’re part of the evolution, or revolution, of theater. Theater is going to be hugely vital again, the way it was initially. We are going to experience a resurgence of theater as the most vital performing art. People are searching for something, a communal way to be part of the here and now. I want to be part of that demand. It’s why I became an actor, to be part of that movement.”

For more with Elijah Alexander, visit www.theaterdogs.net.