In Part 3 in a series of interviews with the cast of McLean Community Players’ Comic Potential, meet Mike Scott.
Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell us where our readers may have seen you perform on our local stages.
Mike: I’m a retired lawyer and corporation executive who appeared 2-3 decades ago in several productions for the Great Falls Players. I’m a past president of the McLean Community Players, and have produced or directed a number of shows for them. This is my first onstage performance at the Alden.
Who do you play in the show? Tell us about him.
I play Lester Trainsmaith, a wealthy and somewhat eccentric octogenarian who owns the TV production company for which all the other players, human and android, work. In a way, he brings order out of the chaos that exists as the first curtain rises. Since he never leaves his wheelchair, speaks mostly though a proxy, and speaks only a few lines himself, this is quite a feat.
What is your favorite scene in the play?
My favorite scene is the last one, in which I actually speak a few lines. My favorite thing I get to do in the scene is wearing a WWII bomber pilot’s helmet and goggles.
What is your favorite line that you say? What is your favorite line that somebody else says?
My favorite line: “I think it’s time we gave artificial intelligence a trial canter, don’t you?” Favorite other person’s line (Jaycie): “Action!”
What challenges have you had in preparing for your role?
Since I’m an octogenarian playing one, remembering the few lines that I have.
This is an area premiere of a not-so-well-known play. Why will audiences enjoy it?
I was a member of the reading group that first reviewed this play as a production possibility, and we could hardly get through the reading without breaking into raucous giggles, to the point of tears, about every two minutes.
Comic Potential plays from October 7-22, 2016 at McLean Community Players performing at The McLean Community Center’s Alden Theatre – 1234 Ingleside Avenue, in McLean, VA. For tickets, call Ovations Tix at (866) 811-4111, or purchase them online. Here are directions to the Alden Theatre.
LINKS:
Interviews with the Cast of McLean Community Players’ ‘Comic Potential’ Part 1: Frank Gorrell by Joel Markowitz.
Interviews with the Cast of McLean Community Players’ ‘Comic Potential’ Part 2: Scott Duvall by Joel Markowitz.
Interviews with the Cast of McLean Community Players’ ‘Comic Potential’ Part 3: Mike Scott by Joel Markowitz.
Note: The play contains adult situations and language. It’s suitable for those 17 and older.
