Getting To Know Chris Messersmith

Q: How did you get started in theatre?:

Chris: My first experience was in a school play in six grade. I played an old man, go figure. I went on that year to write and direct an historical epic on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. I also played John Wilkes Booth.

Q: Is this your first Sam Shepard play? And what intrigues you most about his writing style?

Chris: First Shepard play, enjoy the sparseness of the language (see how I did that).

Q: Tell us a bit about your character, The Old Man.

Chris: The old man has an almost ethereal quality. In someways he functions like a Greek Greek chorus, not just providing exposition but commenting on the action but bringing focus and definition.

Q: Outside of theatre, what does Chris like to do with his time?

Chris: Huh? There's a life outside? I never imagined. Enjoy sketching and playing with clay. I'm a Christmas nut make decorations, angels & wreaths. New grandfather so I babysit sometimes.

Q: For you, what's the most exciting aspect of being involved in "Fool for Love?"

Chris: The dynamics of working in a small cast. I've worked with both Van Quattro, our director, and Joey Folsom, who plays Eddie, in some large cast productions, but it's great to have the intimate ensemble experience as we do in "Fool for Love."

Q: What's your favorite line in the play?

Chris: My favorite line in the play, "Fool for Love" - "There are no germs in the medicine cabinet."

 

Margo Jones Theatre, Fair Park

NOW PLAYING through March 30th

Performances:

Thursday, March 14

Friday, March 15

Saturday, March 16

Thursday, March 21

Friday, March 22

Saturday, March 23

Sunday, March 24 (matinee)

Thursday, March 28

Friday, March 29

Saturday, March 30



General Admission: $25

Students $10

Seniors $15

Evening Performances, 8 pm

Matinees, 2 pm

Holed up in a seedy motel on the edge of the Mojave Desert, two former lovers unpack the deep secrets and dark desires of their tangled relationship, passionately tearing each other apart. Beaten down by ill-fated love and a ruthless struggle for identity, can they ultimately learn to live with, or without, each other? Surreal, searing, and sexually charged, Fool for Love rips along at an unrelenting pace and doesn’t come up for air until it's over. Pulitzer Prize winning Sam Shepard shines some big headlights on how crazy love can make you.

WHAT OUR PATRONS ARE SAYING:

"Once again, a small theater company is hitting it out of the park. We enjoyed FOOL FOR LOVE at The Margo Jones Theatre a lot. Parking was practically at the front door for this theatre...great production." Deborah...TCTP patron.

WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING:

"FOOL FOR LOVE...it's still shocking, tender, tumultuous, funny, implacable. Powerful, astonishing theatre at its best..." Christopher Stephen Soden, Sharpcritic.com

FOOL FOR LOVE

By Sam Shepard

Directed by Van Quattro*

Assistant Director Gretchen Hahn*

Stage Manager Nat McBride*

Fight Choreographer Dean Wray*

Starring Joey Folsom*, Sasha Maya Ada*, Chris Messersmith, Braden Socia

*Member, Canterbury Company of Resident Artists