They say half the battle in directing a play is making sure you cast it well.
If that’s the case, Susanne de Pencier, director of the current White Rock Players Club production, Drinking Alone (Coast Capital Playhouse, 1532 Johnston Rd., until Feb. 25) has a distinct advantage.
The White Rock resident recently retired after a 25-year career as a casting director for the B.C. film and television industry, including credits for MacGyver and The Commish, feature films, movies of the week and many commercials.
She says she was pleasantly surprised at the calibre of actors who auditioned for the play, and pleased that Drinking Alone – which chronicles the chaotic reunion of two adult children with their long-estranged father – has turned out to be a vehicle for some of the Players Club’s better-known actors (Roger Currie, Sheila Keating, Vanessa Klein), plus a couple of new faces (Sarah Green and Terry Thomas, seen previously in WRPC’s 20th Century).
In the show, Ivan (Currie) returns to town after 15 years with a new wife, Phyllis (Keating) in tow, triggering crises for both daughter Carrie (Green), a successful television news personality who’s on the brink of alcoholism, and son Joe (Thomas), lonely manager of a moribund drycleaning business, who tries to impress his father by hiring a professional escort (Klein) to pose as his fiance.
De Pencier said that although she was originally invited to direct this season’s Christmas pantomime, Mother Goose (she had to decline since it conflicted with a vacation in Europe), it was Drinking Alone, of all of the plays, that most interested her.
“I’ve been a fan of Foster’s writing ever since I first saw the Arts Club production of The Foursome featuring Jackson Davies – I don’t think I’ve ever laughed that hard in a theatre,” she said.
“This play is hilarious, too, but there are moments of poignancy, where you stop and think about your own life.”
De Pencier has known Currie for years, and believes his trademark gruff manner – and sense of the ridiculous – find a perfect outlet in Foster’s zinging one-liners.
“It could have been written for him,” she said. “He’s having a ball with it. It’s so suited to his style and his physicality, and he’s the right age.
“In fact, everybody in the show fits their roles. I didn’t have to settle on talent, and I didn’t have to settle on how they looked.
“Every single person who walked in to audition got the play; they understood the characters.”
Thomas is also having a great time with the role of Joe, de Pencier said.
“Terry has great energy and his comic timing is just terrific,” she added. “His character could be played more low key, but Joe is not a total loser. He’s lived a very quiet life. He doesn’t feel sorry for himself – this is just the role that life has dealt him.”
Green has also taken the role of Carrie and run with it, de Pencier said.
“Carrie is a beautiful-looking woman, who is also a sarcastic, hard-nosed, take-charge lady. But underneath it all she’s a marshmallow. When her dad shows up, this tough cookie turns into Jello. There’s one scene, when she confronts her father, that’s very touching.
“Sarah is a gem. I hope her husband and two young sons allow her to do more theatre – she’s a real asset.”
Part of the challenge of the role of Renee is that’s she’s an escort – not a hooker – de Pencier said.
“She is the girl who’s hired to accompany someone to an event. When Joe wants her to pretend to be his fiance, she starts out thinking she won’t be able to do it – and then she falls very easily into the whole fantasy world of being his fiance. She starts to think it’s real.
“Vanessa’s energy is amazing. I wish she had a real chance to sing in this show – she has a gorgeous voice. But I can’t imagine anyone else doing the role this justice.”
De Pencier said she also appreciates Keating’s experience and subtlety as Phyllis.
“She’s probably the only sane one – the only normal character in the play. She’s the voice of reason, the person that becomes the arbitrator. She’s got some subtle funny stuff, but she’s the straight person in the show. And what a prize it is to find an older woman who is so capable.
“Of all the shows I’ve done, this is the most exceptional cast I’ve dealt with,” de Pencier added.
Drinking Alone is presented with a warning of some coarse language.
Performances are 8 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee, Saturday, Feb. 25.
For tickets, call 604-536-7535 or visit www.whiterockplayers.ca
