Blane Dubois, "Movie Professional" is visiting Blowing Rock Summer Theater, tormenting in secret stealth the Founding Producer Mark Wilson with writer/actor Duke Ernsberger's alter ego - a ruthless, relentless spoof of Wilson's eccentric theatrical operation in the 1980/90's.
June 1986, Wilson (28) leased a school auditorium from the Board of Education to stage professional theatre, the first resident company. He had daydreamt it earlier that Spring in a future wedding church pew in Boone, drifting out an open window toward North Carolina mountain sun and deep blue skies, years of feeling Blowing Rock could be an Abingdon. He was to be married in June - acquiring wife and the mistress in the same month and year.
And succeed? No reason not, if managed professionally ... first attempt. Surreal, the appeal in youthful mission. Great, the potential. Gall of gumption, in retrospect. "Checker your calendar around our events, or we'll crush you," said University SummerFest. Upstarts unwelcome in this realm. Sweet success, after a "wheelbarrow of bricks" uphill.
1990 - 5th Season - Duke stands in front of the auditorium that had only recently acquired the luxury of air conditioning - funds raised by Mark from the audience. Actors walked outside to get to dressing rooms AND bathrooms. The "green room" was an open air patio off the only stage exit, where arriving audience members drifting up the sidewalks waved to their favorite actors as though old friends, or cornered parade floats waiting to join the roll.
Once, when casting the play LOVE LETTERS Mark received a call from Hume Cronyn (and Jessica Tandy) to decline. Jessica and Hume were the First Lady and Gentleman of the American Theatre at that time.
"Yes, Mark, I just wanted to call and say thank you so much for thinking of us - Any offer of employment is always appreciated." One rarely met persons of such grace. "If you wrote this turndown on paper, I'd have it framed, Mr. Cronyn," said Mark.
"Oh, please don't think of it as a turndown," he laughed, "It's just that Jessica's up in Canada making a movie - I'm headed up to see her, and I'll show her your fax - I have it right here on my knee. Back when we were touring in summer stock way out in the cornfields of Iowa, you know the theater didn't even have a bathroom backstage?", he said with collegiate incredulity.
"Reeeeealllly!," Mark responded, and got the door to the bathrooms from the School Board as soon as politics allowed.
The audience adored the founding actors of the premiere decade. Tickets were affordable, and favorites were familiar celebrities back then, returning in summer, recognized and welcomed in local shops and restaurants. Participating artists supported the dream of making Blowing Rock theatre succeed. Budget was basic. Before his initiative for "the union" standard benefits, growing pains meant low wages, but fine housing .
Every technical improvement or acquisition - from a vehicle to a sewing machine - was a celebrated step in the splendor of the theater's infancy. The theatre was poor financially, but rich in humanity. It was what actors call "an actor's theatre", because "their summer place" was Mark's mission and a beautiful environment. Of the Mad Dogs & Englishmen inspiration, it came together, it fell apart - a "hippie commune, bonafide." Producing theater in Blowing Rock was sheer madness, 1986/97 in a pre-permanent facility at the mercy of local resistance, insane small town ordinances, and vulnerable to any dilettante's complaint or whim.
"We have such a good, strong, and good spirited atmosphere in which to work to get the job done," said Mary Lucy Bivins. Mary Lucy and Duke were the First Lady and Gentleman of Blowing Rock theatre at that time. Duke was the most brilliantly funny actor onstage any theatre could rely upon in those days. He made audience fans feel as if they were the center of his universe. He used the gracious expression "Thank you for saying that." Try it.
This video is a time capsule. Evidence it wasn't made yesterday is that the theater awning is no longer there. Duke must have time-traveled, and handed this over to the tomb-keepers for use 20 years later. He was a lively witness to the theater's first years, tantamount to the first decades of Barter or Flat Rock. He was starring in the play IN progress inside the theater behind him, AS he is improvising his project out on the sidewalk. One cannot make this stuff up. Duke, sir - the video: "Thank you for saying that." ...No matter what you meant back then.
The Blowing Rock Stage Company produced 24 consecutive seasons, establishing the regional standard for professional excellence, and providing the seminal inspiration for Blowing Rock North Carolina's lavish permanent performing arts center. Mark was there for the first half.
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Blowing Rock NC Theater Misbehavin' Summer 1988 - 1st African-American Show in Town History (S3P1)by marskat753,017 views
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