'Endgame' is a play inside one man's mind

BY RUTH RICE
The Tribune-Democrat

July 11, 2008 01:59 pm

— A pet project will be the first production of Johnstown’s newest theater company.
Samuel Beckett’s “Endgame” will be performed by Theatrematters at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at Art Works in Johnstown, 413 Third Ave. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
Director Randy Jeffreys created Theatrematters to produce the plays he’s passionate about.
“I’ve directed before, but this is my first independent project,” Jeffreys said while drinking in the warehouse atmosphere of Artworks in Johnstown. “I wanted to do it on my own. I’m very passionate about it.”
Jeffreys added that “Endgame” is a pet project. He has had the production in the works for the better part of five years.
“I didn’t have auditions,” he said. “I did some networking after working in theater for 10 years. I recruited the right people to get what I wanted.”
Jeffreys described “Endgame” as a play inside one man’s mind.
“Nothing really happens, but you see a lot of dialogue,” Jeffreys said. “There’s a frustration with life – ‘What’s it all about?’ – the person is struggling to find out, but getting no answers.”
Most of the dialogue is between blind and paralyzed Hamm, played by Scott Jeffreys, and his male attendant, Clov, played by Bret Sarlouis.
The rest of the cast will include Hamm’s parents, played by Lori Howsare as Nell and Brian Davis as Nagg.
“On the surface, it’s four characters, but it goes deeper,” Randy Jeffreys said of the play.
“The audience will see representations on stage. It’s different from a straightforward play.”
The plot is continuous, unbroken by scenes or acts.
The play was first produced in France in 1957 and was not well-received by London critics until a Paris production in 1964, when it was hailed a masterpiece.
Written at a time when the looming fear of nuclear war was at an all-time high, the set of “Endgame” can be viewed as a fallout shelter after a nuclear bomb has detonated.
Jeffreys has been in rehearsal three to four nights a week since mid-May.
“It’s a difficult play,” Jeffreys said. “There’s a lot of repetition and circular conversation. It’s subtle, so it’s easy to mix up your lines. The cast has been working hard, and it’s coming to life.”
This week, Jeffreys and his cast will be rehearsing every night to get ready for opening night on Thursday.
Because Beckett is known for lean, minimalist theater, Jeffreys said the industrial backdrop of Artworks is the perfect setting.
“The setting is universal,” he said. “It looks like a fallout shelter at the end of the world.
“There’s nothing left. Food is running out, lights are running out. All they have is what’s left in their heads.”
Jeffreys saw the possibilities of Artworks when he saw Howsare perform in another play there.
“I called Rosemary Pawlowski, and she sent me to Kate Davis, the director of Artworks,” Jeffreys said. “Kate is a Beckett fan and was thrilled.
“This is a great spot for theater. I hope to have more here.”
Jeffreys started in theater in 1997 when he appeared in a play directed by Kenny Resinski for New Theatre at St. Francis University, Loretto.
“I wouldn’t be doing this if not for him,” Jeffreys said. “He inspired me. I wanted to do it for years, and when I finally got the courage to do it, I was instantly hooked. It’s been my passion ever since.”
Jeffreys first acted for Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company in a production of “Hamlet” when the acting troupe was still known as Stackhouse Park Players.
“I’ve done six or seven plays with them,” he said.
Jeffreys also has acted for Cresson Lake Playhouse and Nail Soup Theatre Company.
“I encourage everyone to come to ‘Endgame,’ ” Jeffreys said. “It’s a different kind of play to have in Johnstown.
“Theatrematters will be doing plays not normally seen in Johnstown,” he added.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens.
Information: 536-5399.