In Part 5 in a series of interviews with the cast of Danny Boy at Unexpected Stage Company, meet Zach Brewster-Geisz.
Joel: Introduce yourself to our readers and tell them where you received your theater training and where they may have seen you before on the stage?
Zach: I’m Zach Brewster-Geisz, and I’m a graduate of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. Most recently I played the role of Marty in Unexpected Stage’s previous show this season, Dani Girl, and other shows this year include She Stoops to Conquer (Pallas Theatre Collective) and Richard III (NextStop).
Why did you want to get involved with this production of Danny Boy?
I was eager to work with Unexpected Stage again, since I had such a great time over the summer in Dani Girl.
Had you ever been involved with the show before or heard about the show before?
No.
Who are you playing in the show?
I’m playing Trent, a “gazillionaire software guy” who is devoted to Allison, Danny’s dream girl. (You have to see the show to understand.)
How do you relate to your character?
Trent is, by his own admission, a computer geek who got lucky. So am I, though I’m lucky in a different way.
What do you admire about Trent and what do you not admire about him?
I admire his smoothness, at least at first. I don’t admire his inability to take “no” or even “go away” for an answer.
How will audiences relate to Trent?
Anyone who’s loved and lost will see a bit of Trent in themselves.
What have been some of the challenges you have had preparing for your role and how has your director helped you resolve them? What personal experiences have helped you develop your performance?
Chris and I have been keen on making sure the comedy is as funny as possible, but still truthful. I’m a pretty broad comedy kind of guy, so this has been a challenge. In addition, without giving too much away, Trent goes through a serious mental shift between Acts One and Two, so it’s been a challenge to make sure those two mental states are still the same character.
What scene in the entire show moves you the most?
There’s a pivotal argument between Danny and his mother, when he essentially accuses her of being ashamed of him. Scott and Lois both do a wonderful job with the scene, and I think just about anyone who’s been a parent (or a child!) will see something of themselves in the argument.
What do you want audiences to take away with them after seeing Danny Boy?
A stomach aching from laughter.
Danny Boy plays through October 26, 2014 at Unexpected Stage Company-performing at Randolph Road Theater-4010 Randolph Road, in Silver Spring, MD 20902. For tickets, call (800) 838-3006, or purchase them online.
