In Part 3 of a series of interviews with The Playwright, Director, and cast of Tying the Knot’at the Baltimore Playwright’s Festival, playing at Fells Point Corner Theatre, meet Nancy Blum.
Tell our readers where they may have seen you on local stages.
Most recently I played Bessie in the world premiere of God Don’ Like Ugly at the Venus Theatre. Other local performances include Mrs. Buchanan in Eccentricities of a Nightingale (The Rude Mechanicals), Miss Prism in The Importance of Being Earnest (Maryland Ensemble Theatre), Susan in The Goddess Diaries (Capital Fringe Festival 2013), Thelma in ‘Night Mother and Birdie in The Little Foxes (both Rockville Little Theatre), and Mrs. Savage in The Curious Savage (Jewish Theatre Workshop of Baltimore).
Tell us about the character you play and how you relate to it. Does this character have any of your personality or traits?
I am much less snooty than Arlene but I do like martinis.
What has been the most fun playing Arlene?
Criticizing my son Michael. My own children object strongly to such behavior.
What have been some of the challenges you have had preparing for your role and how did your director help you with these challenges?
At the playwright’s suggestion, we changed Arlene from a more vulgar to a more refined character about halfway through the rehearsal process. The director helped me find ways to achieve the original objectives, but with a different tone.
What do you admire most about your fellow castmembers?
This is my first time working at FPCT and they all have been so welcoming and fun to work with, as well as highly-talented.
What do you want audiences to take with them after watching you perform in Tying the Knot?
Your mother really does know best.
What does Tying the Knot have to say to theatregoers, and how is it still relevant?
It’s not who you love, but how unselfishly you love that really matters.
Tying the Knot plays from Friday August 14th through Sunday, August 23, 2015 at Fells Point Corner Theatre – 251 South Ann Street, in Baltimore MD. For tickets, purchase them online.
LINKS
Meet the Playwright, Director, and Cast of ‘Tying the Knot’ Part 1: Playwright James L. Beller Jr. by Daniel Douek.
Meet the Playwright, Director, and Cast of ‘Tying the Knot’ Part 2: Brian S. Kraszewski by Daniel Douek.
