2008 Woodie Awards
'The Nerd' provides great laughs
Jonathan Pearson
Issue date: 1/17/06 Section: Culture
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It's winter time and "rumor has it" people are considerably more depressed in wintertime than any other season. So forget paying your shrink $150 an hour: go see Larry Shue's "The Nerd" at the American Heartland Theatre at Crown Center.
A decade ago, when I was still a lad in Reeboks and chili-bowl haircuts, I performed in my very first play, "The Nerd." I was not the main character, but little Thor Waldgrave: a screaming brat who loved to go through people's dresser drawers. But we'll get to that later.
Set in the 1980s, "The Nerd" is an outstanding comedy that takes a look at what can happen when a generous person offers to do anything for a man who has saved his life in the war.
Willum Cubber (Craig Benton), the main character, is visited by his old Vietnam buddy Rick Steadman (Ken Remmert), to whom he owes his life. But delight soon fades for Willum and his friends when they realize Rick is-for lack of a better word-a nerd, who doesn't know when to quit or leave. You start thinking you've got it bad until you see just how bad it can get.
As can be expected, Rick eventually wears out his welcome, as in-laws do. Willum and his friends try everything to get rid of Rick before the surprise ending that leaves everyone wanting more.
For an opening night performance, this was one of the best. A packed house and the thought of Friday the 13th couldn't spook the actors. From the spit-takes to the food-throwing and people running around with paper bags on their head, it was truly a night of pure shock.
The most entertaining performer was Jennifer Mays. As Willum's girlfriend, Tansy McGinnis, Mays really holds it together until Rick the Nerd pushes her over the edge and she can't help but assist getting rid of him. She does an amazing job keeping up with the fast-paced performing and physical comedy.
Mays is one of UMKC's own who performed last fall in "Rose's Dilemma" at the American Heartland and returned for another role.
Since I was in the play as a young child, I couldn't recall most of the jokes or even the plot. The only thing I could remember was running out of a closet screaming with a pair of boxer shorts on my head and saying "moom-bay" over and over. And my parents wonder why I'm crazy.
Anyway, it was still wonderful to remember the magic of "The Nerd" all over again.
jpearson@unews.com
