Westmoreland Performing Arts production of 'The Nerd' brings cast full circle

Rehearsing for the Westmoreland Performing Arts production of “The Nerd” has taken cast members back to the early days of their careers and their time with Saint Vincent Summer Theatre.

“It has tied us all back to a very happy time in our theater careers,” said director and cast member Tony Marino.

The curtain will rise on “The Nerd” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in Science Hall Theater on the Westmoreland County Community College main campus near Youngwood.

It’s 1979 in Terre Haute, Ind., as friends prepare to throw a birthday party for young architect Willum Cubbert. Planning the festivities are Willum’s sometimes girlfriend, Tansy, who is about to leave town, and his best friend, Axel, a smart aleck theater critic.

All the guests cancel except Willum’s boss Ticky Walgrave; his wife, Clelia; and their rambunctious, son, Thor, who immediately throws a tantrum and locks himself in the bedroom.

Enter Rick Steadman, the Nerd of the play title, a fellow ex-GI whom Willum never actually met but who saved his life in Vietnam. Willum is delighted to finally meet Rick — until the new arrival’s awkward manner and inappropriate behavior cause havoc.

Hilarity ensues as the hosts try repeatedly and unsuccessfully to get Rick to leave.

The madcap comedy by American playwright Larry Shue ran for 441 performances on Broadway in 1987 and 1988, starring Mark Hamill.

For WPA, Kevin O’Leary plays Willum, while Anthony Marino Jr. is cast as Rick. Renata Marino reprises her role as Clelia.

Funnier than before

“All those years ago at Saint Vincent, Kevin was the Nerd and Anthony was actually 10-year-old Thor. Now fast forward 12 years, Kevin is the lead and Anthony is the Nerd,” Tony Marino said. “Renata is playing the same role. Last time, she was actually too young to play the mom, but now she’s the right age.”

Marino takes on the role of Ticky Walgrave, while Alex Podolinski plays Axel and Ryan Jordan is Tansy. Three WPA students share the role of Thor.

“Renata and I started as professional actors at Pittsburgh Musical Theater and CLO, and in the summer we came out to Saint Vincent,” Marino said. “It was a very special place to us.

“I once quit a summer at CLO, which should have gotten me into huge trouble, because I got hired at Saint Vincent. It was such a great working atmosphere, and you got to work with fantastic actors,” he said.

After WPA staged the drama “True West” last season, the company decided to do a comedic romp, not only because it would be more fun but also because it would sell more tickets.

“‘The Nerd’ is like a madcap British farce, but it is all-American,” Marino said. “There was a golden age for these kinds of shows written by American playwrights in the ’80s and ’90s — they were like all the children of Neil Simon.”

At first, O’Leary was worried about making the switch from playing Rick to playing Willum, he said, but, as rehearsals went on, the actors were laughing as much as they were preparing.

“So far, the funniest moments of the show are Kevin finding the Nerd. I think he’s funnier now than he was before,” Marino said.

For his own character, he said, “I’m the right age to play a blustery, angry, older businessman, and I am having a lot of fun. It’s a freeing experience to go on stage and scream and holler and have cottage cheese thrown on you.

“These plays where you get to live inside this absurdity and hilarity are really fun and refreshing for actors, and, I think, for audiences as well,” Marino said.

Tickets for “The Nerd” are $15, or $10 for those 18 and younger. For details and reservations, call 724-672-3322 or visit westmorelandperform ingarts.org.