In part three of a series of interviews with the cast of McLean Community Players’ Unnecessary Farce, meet Brianna Goode.
Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you on local stages and what roles you have played.
Brianna: I’m Brianna Goode and you might remember me from such roles as Regan in Dominion Stage’s production of Bachelorette or the Earl of Worcester in Henry IV, Part I with B&H Theatre Company. Prior to those two shows, I was in grad school in Charlottesville, where I could be found preforming regularly with UVA’s Shakespeare on the Lawn Theatre Company.
Have you appeared in a farce before? Why did you want to be part of Unnecessary Farce?
I had always wanted to appear in a farce, but never had the opportunity. That was part of what drew me to Unnecessary Farce. The other part of what drew me to the show was the script. It was so cleverly written and I knew that MCP’s production of it would be a fun and amazing opportunity.
How does farce differ from comedy? Is it more difficult from an actor’s point of view?
I think farce is much more reliant on exaggerated situations and physical humor. From an actor’s point of view, farce is very physically demanding. In fact, Unnecessary Farce might be the most physically demanding show I’ve ever been in.
Who do you play in the show, and how do you relate to your character? Does this character have any of your personality or character traits?
I play Karen Brown, a small town accountant who keeps finding herself in very unexpected situations. Karen absolutely has some of my personality traits. Much like myself, she often isn’t minding her surroundings which can (and often does) lead her into shocking situations. Karen is a little less calm under pressure than I am, however, which has been really fun to play with.
What is your favorite line in the show?
I think Agent Frank (Steve Wheeler) has some of my favorite lines. Without giving too much away, he has this point in the show when he’s passionately describing another character. The lines are hysterical, and they are made even more so by the life Steve brings to the character. I’ve been through that scene at least 50 times, and he’s still cracking me up.
What have been some of the challenges you have had during rehearsals, and how did Director Jessie Roberts help you with these challenges?
One of the biggest challenges with this show has been timing. Every action needs to occur at precisely the right time or the show turns into a dangerous mess. Jessie Roberts, our director, has been instrumental in making sure the show is running like a well-oiled machine.
What has impressed you most about your fellow cast members?
Unnecessary Farce is absolutely an ensemble show. I’m not sure the show would be where it is without such an amazing and open-minded cast. At each rehearsal, everyone was always willing to take time to explore new ways of playing with scenes or physicality, and it’s led to some truly incredible moments of comedy. I’m so grateful I got the chance to work with such an amazing cast!
What do you want audiences to take with them after seeing you perform in Unnecessary Farce?
Stiches in their sides from laughing so hard. This play is so funny and the dedication and physicality that all of the cast brings to their roles makes it even more so. We’ve been rehearsing this show for nearly two months and we still find ourselves cracking up in rehearsal. I hope our audience has as much fun watching as we do putting on the show.
Unnecessary Farce plays from April 29-May 14, 2016 at McLean Community Players performing at The Alden Theatre – 1234 Ingleside Avenue, in McLean, VA. For tickets, buy them at the box office, or purchase them online.
LINKS:
Meet the Cast of McLean Community Players’ ‘Unnecessary Farce’: Part 1: Marilyn Pifer.
Meet the Cast of McLean Community Players’ ‘Unnecessary Farce’: Part 2: Bob Sams.
Meet the Cast of McLean Community Players’ ‘Unnecessary Farce’: Part 3: Brianna Goode.
Caroline Simpson’s review of ‘Unnecessary Farce’ on DCMetroTheaterArts.
