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Prairie Village, Kan., resident Shari Johnson makes her City Theatre of Independence debut as director of “The Boys Next Door.” Originally from Minneapolis, Johnson spent the last nine years directing off-off Broadway shows in New York City.
1 At first glance, the plot for “The Boys Next Door” sounds heavy and depressing. How is humor evident in the story line? It’s kind of about the ins and outs of everyday life and how you can find humor in it. People with mental disabilities don’t go around being depressed; they have their own personalities and ups and downs. This play is celebrating all of that.
2 Two cast members each portray three characters – is that written in the script, or is it due to a shortage of actors? What are the challenges associated with portraying multiple characters? It is written in the script. I think it’s in the script, originally, to not have to pay more actors since each of them do three small roles. The challenge of that is making sure that the characterization of each of those roles is significantly different so we don’t feel like we’re watching the same person three different times.
3 I understand you are relatively new to the Kansas City area. How has the City Theatre of Independence helped you settle in? I moved here in January. They’ve been extremely welcoming and very supportive of the production and helping me get the things I need and telling me where I needed to go to get them.
4 Why do you prefer directing compared to acting? You’re there from the beginning, helping each actor discover the role, and so it feels like you are playing all of the roles instead of just one.
5 Who should see “The Boys Next Door,” and what do you hope attendees will take away from the performance? Anyone who enjoys a good comedy and anyone who is curious about the lives of the mentally disabled. They should take away a new understanding of the mentally disabled and a new enthusiasm for the celebration of life.
Prairie Village, Kan., resident Shari Johnson makes her City Theatre of Independence debut as director of “The Boys Next Door.” Originally from Minneapolis, Johnson spent the last nine years directing off-off Broadway shows in New York City.
1 At first glance, the plot for “The Boys Next Door” sounds heavy and depressing. How is humor evident in the story line? It’s kind of about the ins and outs of everyday life and how you can find humor in it. People with mental disabilities don’t go around being depressed; they have their own personalities and ups and downs. This play is celebrating all of that.
2 Two cast members each portray three characters – is that written in the script, or is it due to a shortage of actors? What are the challenges associated with portraying multiple characters? It is written in the script. I think it’s in the script, originally, to not have to pay more actors since each of them do three small roles. The challenge of that is making sure that the characterization of each of those roles is significantly different so we don’t feel like we’re watching the same person three different times.
3 I understand you are relatively new to the Kansas City area. How has the City Theatre of Independence helped you settle in? I moved here in January. They’ve been extremely welcoming and very supportive of the production and helping me get the things I need and telling me where I needed to go to get them.
4 Why do you prefer directing compared to acting? You’re there from the beginning, helping each actor discover the role, and so it feels like you are playing all of the roles instead of just one.
5 Who should see “The Boys Next Door,” and what do you hope attendees will take away from the performance? Anyone who enjoys a good comedy and anyone who is curious about the lives of the mentally disabled. They should take away a new understanding of the mentally disabled and a new enthusiasm for the celebration of life.
