Gray’s Work Hits The Stage Friday

By KAITLYN KILMETIS

Cast members Bernard Bosio and Pat Clune, both of Middle Village, interact on stage.

The location has shifted.

After months of rehearsals in a children’s classroom, the cast of “Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell,” opening at the studio theater at Queens Theatre in the Park Friday, now performs in a softly-lit basement space. It just fits. Spalding Gray’s words seem better situated when spoken in a moody theater locale as opposed to a colorful funhouse that overstimulates one’s senses. Without diversion or distraction, the sentences stand alone, as Gray intended.

The cast and director we have become accustomed to is amplified by three – Lighting Designer Glenn Rivano, Stage Manager Lucie Tripon and Theater Technician Mark Messer – who each work meticulously to enhance the show’s core with bursts of color in the form of lighting, music and slide projections.

The foundation of the play – the six cast members performing their lengthy monologues – is set. It has been for weeks. Each line has been carefully finessed and each stage direction memorized. Now, the cast and crew come together to brighten that framework with a series of touches that serve to highlight their performances – a glaring single spotlight at an emotional peak, projected photographs each audience member can relate to as poignant backdrops.

The trick at this stage is all about coordination. As the cast runs through the production, a number of stops are made to guarantee that audio and visual cues are locked in. Whether it’s a simple word or a step on stage, Director Bill Saunders must ensure the cast and the technician are seamlessly in sync. It’s one thing for him to have “Stories Left to Tell” staged in his head, but in order for his vision to play out on stage his mental picture must be understood – or better yet, mastered – by all parties involved.

Long Island City’s Carol Wei expressed emotion during Tuesday’s rehearsal.

Saunders is seemingly calm and collected for a man whose brainchild is inching towards its public debut. He repeatedly compliments the cast, commending their acting abilities and reaffirming the fact the technician is just “brilliant.”

He moves throughout the theater at 10-minute intervals observing his creation from every angle. As the play comes to a close, a proud smile slinks across his face if only for a second. The moment is fleeting – there is a minor projector crisis, the cues need to be reviewed and Saunders has a new list of nit-picky notes to ensure the performance is perfection. Opening night looms only three days away.

An insight into the psyche of a Director on the verge of his show’s first viewing: “It’s a combination of terrifying and satisfying,” Saunders says with a sigh.

The Queens Tribune has been following the Outrageous Fortune Company production “Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell” from its first rehearsals to opening night March 19 at Queens Theatre in the Park. Stay tuned for the last installment of this multi-part series.

There will be five performances of “Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell” on March 19, 20 and 27 at 8 p.m. and March 21 and 28 at 3 p.m. The play will be performed at Queens Theatre in the Park. Tickets are $22 by advance purchase and $25 at the door. To purchase tickets, call (718) 428-2500 ext. 20 or (718) 760-0064.

Reach Reporter Kaitlyn Kilmetis at kkilmetis@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128.