“Supernatural,” “Deadwood” actor Jim Beaver is back at UCO to star in play “The Guys”
Jim Beaver in "Deadwood"
University of Central Oklahoma’s alumnus Jim Beaver, best known for his leading roles on the television series “Supernatural” and “Deadwood,” is back at his alma mater to star in the “The Guys,” a poignant play about a fire captain who lost eight men in the collapse of the World Trade Center and the editor who helps him prepare the eulogies he must deliver.
Produced by Central’s Theatre Arts department, the play is showing at 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday and at 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday in the Radke Fine Arts Theatre in the Center for Transformative Learning.
“As a UCO alumnus, the chance to come back to my alma mater to work was irresistible. It’s where I learned most of the basics of my craft and I’m grateful to the school and the teachers I had who taught me so much. I still have many friends at the school and in Edmond, so this is a most welcome trip home,” said Beaver in a news release.
Written by Anne Nelson, an award-winning journalist, playwright and author from Stillwater, “The Guys” came about following an unlikely chain of events that began barely a week after September 11 when Nelson was visiting her sister in Brooklyn and learned of a New York City fire captain who lost several men from his engine company. She offered to use her skills as a writer to help him through a difficult time.
“Ultimately, the play is about compassion, and the way grief can create unexpected bonds between people, and reveal the unexpected power of humor and love for our communities, “ said Nelson in the release.
“All of us have experienced loss, and the play is about two people from different worlds who decide to take that journey together, with all of its risks and rewards.”
Central Theatre Arts lecturer and director of “The Guys,” Donna Dickson, has double-cast Central students Jill Fry and Taja Marshall to play Nelson during the production. Nelson is in Edmond for the run of the play, and will also meet with some of Central’s acting students as a part of her visit.
“The play has been produced in 48 states and 14 countries, but the Oklahoma productions are especially close to my heart. I’ve been impressed with care that Donna Dickson and James Dolph (dramaturge) and their colleagues have taken with the play, and know they will bring their own creativity to the piece,” said Nelson in the release.
“I’m also very eager to see Jim Beaver’s interpretation of the role. I’m expecting him to bring extraordinary qualities of understated humor and a quiet spiritual dimension to the part.”
Because of his rigorous shooting schedule in Vancouver for “Supernatural,” Beaver had less than a week at Central for rehearsals. But he said he is looking forward to his time in Edmond and working with Nelson, the cast and crew.
“I think there’s something so fitting about this play, written by an Oklahoman about the tragedy wrought by terrorists in New York, being performed in Oklahoma, site of a similar tragedy,” said Beaver.
“Oklahoma is just about the least New York-y place in the country, yet what I hope this play augments is a sense of unity, of community, not just as victims but as fellow countrymen.”
A talk back with the cast and crew will take place each night following the play. Due to his existing union contract, Beaver will not star in the tonight’s production. Central student Dalton Thomas will play the fire captain tonight.
Tickets to “the Guys” are $14 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and UCO faculty and staff and $4 for UCO students. For tickets, call the box office at (405) 974-3375.
For a complete schedule of College of Fine Arts and Design performances and events, visit www.uco/edu/cfad/events.
- BAM
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