Nicolet Players present the fast-paced, showbiz comedy The Understudy April 8-10, 14-17

An action-packed comedy that pokes fun at Hollywood and Broadway is coming to the Nicolet College Theatre stage when the Nicolet Players present The Understudy April 8 to 10 and April 14 to 17. 

                The play takes place on a Broadway stage at an understudy rehearsal for Franz Kafka’s “undiscovered masterpiece.” Roxanne, the stage manager, has the arduous and often hilarious task of trying to wrangle an action movie star, Jake, as well as the new understudy, Harry, who happens to be her ex-fiancé. The Understudy premiered at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2008 with Bradley Cooper and Wisconsin native Kristen Johnston as Jake and Roxanne.  

                After the sold-out run of DEERS this past fall, Director K. Woodzick wanted to select a play that would complement that large ensemble cast.  

                “The Understudy is a three-person play that is a marathon for the actors,” Woodzick shared. “While DEERS was a regional premiere, The Understudy is a play by Theresa Rebeck, who is an incredibly prolific playwright. Audiences may also know her writing from the television shows SMASH, NYPD Blue, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and L.A. Law. She writes challenging comedic characters that give actors a lot to sink their teeth into.”  

                The cast is comprised of Kat Bramley (Roxanne), Jared Davis (Harry), both from Minocqua, and Charles Lynch (Jake), from Crandon. Bramley and Davis are newcomers to the Nicolet Players and bring extensive theatrical experience from their time in the Ohio University MFA in Acting program and performance, teaching and design work in the Chicago area, as well as Sturgeon Bay and Milwaukee. 

                Some of Bramley’s favorite roles include Rosalind in As You Like It, Brooke in Noises Off, (Ohio University), Chris in Dancing at Lughnasa (Tantrum Theater), Nora in Brighton Beach Memoirs, Viola in Twelfth Night (Monomoy Theater) and Ida in An Appalachian Christmas Carol (Brick Monkey Theater Ensemble.) Davis currently serves as the head of maintenance at Clearwater Camp for Girls.  

                Audiences will remember Lynch as a veteran Nicolet Player, having seen him in shows like Anastasia, Romeo and Juliet, Almost Maine and Becky's New Car. Lynch said roles such as Count Dracula, Austin in True West and John Proctor in The Crucible are among his favorites in a long career that has taken him to perform in Minneapolis, Milwaukee,  Madison and Wausau. A proud member of the Sokaogon Chippewa Tribe of Mole Lake, Lynch dedicates this performance to his biggest fan and source of inspiration, his mother.  

                “At a time when the world can seem overwhelming, The Understudy is a perfect play to provide an escape for audiences,” Woodzick said. “We have an unbelievably talented and professional cast and creative team. Rehearsals have been an absolute delight, and we cannot wait to share this show with Northwoods audiences. There’s truly something for everyone: a love triangle, a missing gun, silly moments with bananas, and at the core, three humans searching for connection and meaning.”  

                Original music for The Understudy will be composed by Nate Sheppard. Scenic, sound and lighting design will all be by Nicolet College Theatre and Event Services Manager Mike Effinger. Ashley Gardner is the assistant director and dramaturg and Nicolet student Skyler Miller is the stage manager.   

                All Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances will start at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. There is a content warning for gunshots and some profanity and the show is recommended for audiences 16 and up. Tickets are $10 general public, $8 for students and can be purchased online at nicoletlive.com. 

Photo cutline: The Understudy cast members Kat Bramley, left, Jared Davis goof around with some bananas during a recent rehearsal. The comedy will run April 8 to 10 and 14 to 17 in the Nicolet College Theatre. Ticket are available at nicoletlive.com.