Westmoreland Performing Arts Theatre Company will be staging Larry Shue’s “The Nerd” February 24-26 at Westmoreland County Community College’s Science Hall Theatre. The show features; Kevin O’Leary as Willum, Ryan Jordan as his girlfriend Tansy, Alex Podolinski as his best friend Axel, Renata and Tony Marino as the Walgraves, a trio of WPA students; Sam Goodman, Mason Durante and Nikolai Zevchak, who will share the role of their son Thor and Anthony Marino jr. in he title role of ‘The Nerd’ Rick Steadman.
Set in Terre Haute, Indiana in late 1979, “The Nerd” centers on the hilarious dilemma of a young architect Willum Cubbert. It’s his birthday and his on again, off again girlfriend Tansy, about to leave town to be a Weather Girl, and best friend Axel a flamboyant theatre critic, have decided to throw Willum a surprise party. All the guests end up canceling with the exception of his boss Ticky Walgrave, his wife Clelia and their rambunctious son Thor, who immediately throws a tantrum and locks himself in the bedroom. Into this tense mayhem comes Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom Willum never actually met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment, however, Rick’s awkward manner and inappropriate behavior throw the occasion into shambles, and hilarity ensues. The play ran on Broadway for 441 performances (March 22, 1987 – April 10, 1988), starring Mark Hamill and directed by Charles Nelson Reilly.
This production has ties to one of the most memorable local productions of the show staged 12 years ago at St. Vincent’s Summer Theatre. Renata Marino reprises her role as Clelia Walgrave from that production, Kevin O’Leary who was the Nerd now plays Willum Cubbert, and Anthony Marino Jr., who was Walgrave’s son Thor, is now playing the title character.
Director Tony Marino; “This is a VERY funny play, the kind of ridiculous American Farce that saw a golden age in the 80’s and 90’s. It allows actors to live inside this hilarious situation, and encounter characters and situations that every actor and audience member loves. You will have a blast seeing this show!”
Larry Shue’s “The Nerd” will be performed Friday February 24th and Saturday February 25th at 7:30 and Sunday February 26th at 2pm at Westmoreland County Community College’s Science Hall Theatre. For tickets please go to: https://dancestudio-pro.com/tickets/ wpa . Or call the Westmoreland Performing Arts at 724.672.3322.
If you would like to schedule an interview with any of the actors – call us at 724.672.3322 or call Tony’s cell at 724.244.7177.
