Though he's been a part of the Wagon Wheel Theatre family since second grade, Cameron Carter is acting in his first non-musical show in "Brighton Beach Memoirs."
The Neil Simon semi-autobiographical comedy is on the WWT stage now through Aug. 22. It is co-directed by Ben Dicke and Andy Robinson.
Carter, 15, appeared this summer as Dan in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," and previously appeared as an ensemble member in "Big, the Musical."
Carter, son of Thomas and Michele Carter, Warsaw, will be a sophomore at Warsaw Community High School this fall. In an interview Monday afternoon, he said he moved to Warsaw with his family from St. Louis, Mo., when he was in the second grade.
When they moved here, his mother saw an advertisement in the paper that the Wagon Wheel was needing more boys for a production of "The Music Man." Carter auditioned. Roy Hine, the late artistic director, pulled Carter into his office and talked to him. Carter landed a part and that's how he got started in theater. He hasn't looked back, performing at the WWT and at WCHS in such roles as JoJo in "Seussical, the Musical."
In "Brighton Beach Memoirs", there are seven roles, according to Dicke, all with about the same equal rate of importance. Carter's role as Eugene is the character Simon based on himself.
On Monday, with two days before opening night, Carter said he was kind of nervous, but not just about learning all his lines.
"I think a whole other aspect of learning lines is knowing what you're saying and putting meaning to the words," said Carter.
He said the play is really interesting because it's a coming-of-age story and Eugene is experiencing puberty. The character is almost 15, and Carter is 15, so he said he could relate.
While the play is set in 1937, there are other things about the role and the play that Carter said he could relate to in playing the part. And there are some definite differences, too.
Eugene has a crush on his cousin, Nora (Ashley Travis). While Carter has never had a crush on a cousin, he said he can relate to having a crush.
Being set in 1937, Carter said Eugene had a lot more respect for his parents than children today. Eugene also has more responsibilities than a kid today.
In the 1930s, a kid had to occupy himself with a lot more outdoor activities, read comic books or write as Simon did. They didn't have a television, though the family in "Brighton Beach Memoirs" does have a radio.
Carter has a sister. In the play, Eugene has an older brother, Stanley (Adrian Aguilar), that Eugene looks up to. Stanley gives Eugene advice on girls and other things.
"Because I'm doing scenes with Adrian, some of the scenes we have are big fun. There's that chemistry we've been building that I think will be pretty good," said Carter.
There are many reasons why Carter said he likes the play, though he had never read or seen a Simon play before. He did know who he was.
"I think it's really interesting to see a bigger family with an aunt and two cousins living with your family in a small space, and there's no secrets. Someone knows about something. Just to see the tensions grow, and in the midst of tension, there's some humor," Carter said.
"There are some really neat characters the other actors have created," he said.
Mike Yocum plays Jack, Eugene's father. Carter said Yocum's character is firm, but understanding.
Eugene's Aunt Blanche (Jennifer Dow) and his mom, Kate (Jennie Sophia) have a fight that Carter said is really terrific. During rehearsals, he said, "I totally forget we're rehearsing. It's terrific. I really enjoy it."
Rounding out the seven-member cast of the play is Tara Rusinack, who plays Eugene's other cousin Laurie. Rusinack is a Lakeland Christian Academy student.
When he first read the script, Carter said it made him laugh out loud.
"It took me awhile after rehearsals began to understand the tensions in the household," he said.
One thing that isn't new to Carter is working under the direction of Dicke and Robinson. Carter has attended all the WWT summer workshops led by Dicke and Robinson.
"He's done every workshop we've done," said Dicke. "He's one of three students (who have)."
"Besides just getting notes from Ben and Andy, as a group we talk about what a character is thinking here and what's going on," said Carter of working for the co-directors. He said it helps him with his character development.
Dicke said he and Robinson feel very lucky in having such a veteran cast for "Brighton Beach Memoirs." The "heavy hitters" are bringing a lot of experience to the show, Dicke said, that, coupled with Simon's play, is making the show a really fabulous play. The work is really surpassing expectations, he said."Brighton Beach Memoirs" runs through Aug. 22 at the Wagon Wheel. Single adult tickets are $30 for all shows. Tickets for students 13 years old through college are $16, and children 12 years old and under are $12. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more. To order tickets, or for more information, call the box office at 574-267-8041 or toll free at 866-823-2618, or online at www.wagonwheeltheatre.com
