CHANGE MY LOCATION
Chad Jones
S.F. Theater Examiner
Examiner Feeds
These websites were picked by the S.F. Theater Examiner as useful resources.- African American Shakespeare Company
- AfroSolo Theatre Company
- American Conservatory Theater
- American Musical Theatre of San Jose
- Aurora Theatre Company
- Berkeley Repertory Theatre
- California Shakespeare Theatre
- Campo Santo/Intersection for the Arts
- Center Repertory Company
- Climate Theater
- Crowded Fire Theatre Company
- Cutting Ball Theatre
- Encore Theatre Company
- EXIT Theatre
- 42nd Street Moon
- Impact Theatre
- Lorraine Hansberry Theatre
- Magic Theatre
- Marin Theatre Company
- Marines Memorial Theatre
- The Marsh
- New Conservatory Theatre Center
- Post Street Theatre
- San Francisco Mime Troupe
- San Francisco Shakespeare Festival
- San Jose Repertory Theatre
- SF Playhouse
- SHN/Best of Broadway
- Shotgun Players
- Theatre Rhinoceros
- TheatreWorks
- Thick Description
- Thrillpeddlers
- Traveling Jewish Theatre
- Willows Theatre Company
San Francisco Examiners
San Francisco Giants Examiner
Most Recent Post
Williams amongst 2009 candidates for baseball's Hall of Fame.
Golden State Warriors Examiner
Most Recent Post
Nellie goes further: Even 39 wins for Warriors is unrealistic
S.F. Fashion Examiner
Most Recent Post
Everyone loves a 'Sex and the City' wedding gown knock-off
Wilde nights for Elijah Alexander
Add a Comment
Elijah Alexander is Lord Goring and Stacy Ross is
Mrs. Chevely in California Shakespeare Theater's
"An Ideal Husband." Photo by Kevin Berne
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.
For more info: Cal Shakes’ “An Ideal Husband” continues through July 27 at the Bruns Amphitheater, 100 Gateway Blvd., Orinda. Tickets are $32-$62. Call 510-548-9666 or visit www.calshakes.org
Topics: California Shakespeare Theater , Elijah Alexander
Subscribe
Feed
Comments
More from S.F. Theater Examiner
`Chicago' still knows the way to San Jose
Topics: theater news , American Musical Theatre of San Jose
American Musical Theatre of San Jose ceases operations
Topics: theater news , American Musical Theatre of San Jose
Theatrical gifts for World AIDS Day
Topics: theater news , Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
Sweet stage relief from Black Friday
Topics: theater news , Thick Description , 42nd Street Moon , Un-Scripted Theatre Company
Calling all teen Shakespeares!
Topics: Berkeley Repertory Theatre , theater news
B'bye Bay Area: Kent Nicholson's new Horizons
Topics: TheatreWorks , theater news
Hello, Possums! Edna’s still a grand Dame
Faeries flit, Shakespeare smiles in `Were the World Mine'
Topics: Shakespeare , movies
Family is a life sentence in D'Amore's arresting `Parole'
Topics: The Marsh , theater review
