“A Man of No Importance,” a touching musical about the power of theater, friendship, and perseverance, comes to life through local theater company We the People, opening at the Briggs Opera House in White River Junction on March 28 and running through April 13.
Set in 1960s Dublin, this story follows local bus conductor Alfie Byrne — played by Richard Waterhouse — who has two true joys in life: reading the poetry of Oscar Wilde and staging amateur theater productions with his local group, the St. Imelda Players.
Eric Love directs the cast of “A Man of No Importance”, while the ensemble rehearses one of the many musical numbers. Perry Allison Photo
Conflict ensues when Alfie tries to put on a play, “Salome,” by the (at the time) controversial figure of Oscar Wilde at a conservative local church. As church officials who host the St. Imelda Players threaten to shut them down, Alfie and his theater-mates embark on a journey that explores the redemptive power of performance, the necessity of love, and the bravery that comes with confronting bigotry and shame, both in the self and society.
“A Man of No Importance” is an Irish tale written by celebrated playwright Terrence McNally, with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. In this production, directed by Eric Love, Waterhouse is joined by Jenn Langhus, who plays Lily Byrne, Steve Leblance playing William Carney/Oscar Wilde, Alex Rushton portraying Robbie Fay, Moly Davis Shimko playing Adele Rice, and Ham Gillett portraying Baldy.
Humorously citing his own partial baldness as one reason for obtaining the role of Baldy, local Woodstock resident Ham Gillett told the Standard about the joys of this production. “Every day, I am reminded of the talented actors, musicians, and director I work with. Like the St. Imelda Players, this cast is made up of an eclectic ensemble, ranging from a lawyer to a bartender to a theater professor. To see us all come together out of a shared love for theater breathes new life into these characters. It’s a very special experience.” 
Gillett goes on to discuss the ensemble and the way music operates in this production. “There’s music throughout this play, a whole score that runs like a current beneath the dialogue — beautiful music with an Irish lilt to it that allows each character to deepen their emotionality and creativity.” The score takes the audience on an emotional journey. Gillett concludes, “We have an eight-piece pit orchestra that performs on stage with us, complete with our pianist performing on a baby grand. This orchestra is not just in the background but actually rounds out the ensemble, bringing a tangible warmth to the stage.”
For Waterhouse, who plays protagonist Alfie Byrnes, the music was a compelling factor for him to join this production. Waterhouse told the Standard, “I wasn’t aware of ‘A Man of No Importance’ when the role was floated to me, but I listened to the soundtrack and thought, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’” He went on to say, “When Eric Love attached himself to the play as director, I knew it was a production I wanted to be a part of. He created a very trimmed-down, minimalistic version of this play. You can see Love’s specific artistic vision come to life. It’s very theatrical and ignites a feeling of comradery and community on stage.”
For Waterhouse, an actor who has spent many years directing and teaching, stepping into the role of Alfie was easy. “The meta-theater aspect of this play, performing a play within a play, added a level of reality for me. I was familiar with the spaces Alfie inhabits and had a lot of fun acting as a director.”
Commenting further on the “play within a play element,” Director Love said, “This kind of structure is so interesting to us because expressing theater is very funny, complex, and engaging. We wanted to show the audience what the process entails leading up to opening night — the excitement of getting a cast list, the eagerness of a first rehearsal, the nerves before stepping on stage. This gives the audience a sneak peek into the world of theater.”
For Love, this play was a passion project ten years in the making. First performing this musical on a stage in Brooklyn, N.Y. a decade ago, Love now returns as director, bringing this sparse and special tale to life. “Revisiting this play now is like opening a time capsule for me,” Love told the Standard. “It articulated how much I’ve changed as an artist and the sort of privilege I’ve been afforded now to be the director and see the big picture of this story.”
At left, the cast receives notes from director Love during a rehearsal. At right, actor Alex Rushton (playing Robbie Fay) with Love during a rehearsal.
We the People is a local theater company committed to producing quality productions that inspire and engage their community in meaningful conversations. Their production of “A Man of No Importance” is no exception. Each cast member who spoke to the Standard echoed the same sentiment — they want to put on a play that evokes feelings of joy, celebration, and hope in audience members.
“It’s a very thought-provoking play. I hope audience members leave the theater feeling changed in some way. We are in such a tumultuous period in this country. We are so divided; emotions are running high no matter what you believe. I hope that people will walk out of here thinking, ‘Wow, I have really had my heart touched,’ and I hope people will carry that thought, that energy, and that sense of caring for our fellow human beings out into the world,” Gillett concluded.
As a final echo to this sentiment, Waterhouse exclaimed, “Bring tissues!”
“A Man of No Importance” opens at the Briggs Opera House on March 28. Tickets can be purchased online at wethepeopletheatre.com.