By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Jennifer Stacey dropped into the Hairitage Barber Shop in downtown Cobourg this week to get her head shaved.
There were three reasons, she said in a later interview.
One – to play Uncle Fester in the upcoming VOS Theatre production of The Addams Family
Two – because she dreaded performing on a hot stage with her super-long hair tucked up under one of those theatrical bald caps.
Three – to donate the hair to Wigs For Kids Canada, which crafts wigs for young people who’ve lost their hair while battling cancer.
Stacey is looking forward to the Nov. 14 opening of the show and, as far as she’s concerned, she’s playing exactly the right role.
“I’ve always really been kind of the clown in every room, I like to make people laugh, I’m pretty quippy, I like to come up with something that will make people giggle. Uncle Fester – that is his whole role in the show,” she said.
“A little ridiculous, a little over-the-top. He is the comic relief throughout the show, and he is directing quite a bit of what’s happening. He’s a really true believer in love, and wants everyone else to believe in love too.”
Preparing for the role at Hairitage was something of a community event, as Stacey brought friends along for the final down-to-the-scalp shave. The hair was cut in a body so that it could be donated, all 14 inches of it, followed by a buzz down to the scalp and then her friends taking over for the final clean-cut finish.
When Stacey showed up for auditions in July, it was not a slam-dunk. In fact, she’d only had one other acting gig with VOS Theatre, in the ensemble of last spring’s production of The Wizard of Oz. And at 50, she was “very much late coming to the party.” But she couldn’t miss the chance to try out for Uncle Fester.
“I really loved the whole role and the whole idea, and I have a natural tenor voice anyway for singing.
“There were some really amazing candidates auditioning for the same role and, somehow, I just happened to bring Fester to life in the way the director was seeing him.”
That would be Jeff Halligan (also director of the Wizard of Oz), who has 30 years experience as a cinematographer.
“He’s the most amazing director,” Stacey declared.
“He’s extremely kind, extremely patient and compassionate. It’s really great to have someone who encourages you to bring other things to your role, but without feeling you are doing something wrong.”
Casting a woman in what could traditionally be considered a man’s role is nothing new for VOS Theatre, which cast Kelly Paron last spring as the Scarecrow.
“VOS Theatre is really good at what I call equity casting, putting the best person in the role. It doesn’t matter historically how the role has been cast.”
Last year, it was Paron for the Scarecrow, Stacey said.
“It’s the same thing this year – it just happens to be me playing Fester.
“VOS Theatre is really engaged in trying to make sure the best person gets the role, regardless of how it has been cast. It’s a really great message going forward.”
Another great message comes from her character, when Uncle Fester references that he has no specific sexuality.
“In this day and age, when so many are struggling with how they are viewed by society, by friends and family, it’s a wonderful message to give out – we are all individual people, we all present different ways.”
The Addams Family runs from Nov. 14 to 23 at the Victoria Hall Concert Hall in Cobourg. For tickets, call 905-372-2210 or book on-line.
