November 4 - 28, 2004

By William Luce. A recent Broadway hit, Barrymore won the 1997 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for its original star Christopher Plummer. Good Theater co-founder Stephen Underwood takes on the role of legendary actor John Barrymore. This irreverent and funny play takes places as John Barrymore is rehearsing for a come back to the stage. Very little rehearsing takes place, but there are numerous and hilarious stories about the great Barrymore family from his grandmother to his father as well as his famous siblings. Brian P. Allen portrays Frank, Barrymore’s trusted stagehand and prompter. Lee K. Paige who starred in Shirley Valentine and Same Time Next Year for Good Theater directs this Maine premiere.

Reviews

BARRYMORE, A LIFE LIVED WELL LUBRICATED
Portland Press Herald, Nov 8, 2004
By April Boyle
Actor John Barrymore died more than 62 years ago but the declining star was vividly alive once again in Stephen Underwood's portrayal Saturday night. "Barrymore" is set in 1942 on the stage of a New York City theater. Having fallen from stardom, Barrymore hopes to restart his career with a revival of his most renowned role, "Richard III."
Although Barrymore's life had the elements of a tragedy, he preferred to live it like a tragicomedy. Underwood's portrayal perfectly brings to life both the comedic and tragic elements that were the essence of Barrymore. Audiences laughed as Underwood cracked suggestive jokes, all the while imbuing sadness in the clownish exterior.
The performance is virtually a one-man show, though the play also features Barrymore's assistant, Frank, played by Underwood's Good Theater co-founder, Brian Allen.
Underwood gives a sense of believability to his character as he drunkenly staggers around the stage, slurring words. His actions and mannerisms are often subtle, never cartoonish. For those times that Barrymore drifts into lucidity, Underwood delivers the lines like a Shakespearean pro.
"Barrymore" is a wonderful way to become acquainted with a legend that is simply a familiar name to most people today.
The play takes a personal look at Barrymore's illustrious bad-boy life that catapulted him to stardom, led to four divorces and in the end, left him washed-up, but not forgotten. Check it out.

Good Theater portrays theatrical giant in one-man 'Barrymore'
The Forecaster, Nov 10. 2004
By Scott Andrews
"Good Theater, the resident thespian troupe at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, presents Stephen Underwood in a riveting biographical portrayal of the actor in 'Barrymore," a Tony Award-winning one-man play."

"Stephen Underwood plays the title role with both force and finesse, dissecting Barrymore's contradictory qualities and revealing his internal conflicts in this riveting character study."

Cast & Crew

Directed by Lee K. Paige
John Barrymore - Stephen Underwood
Frank - Brian Allen
Stage Manager - Adam Gutgsell
Set Design - Janet Montgomery
Lighting Design - Jamie Grant
Costumes - Joan McMahon
Technical Director - Stephen Underwood
Assistant Technical Director - Craig Robinson