Assistant Professor of Communication at Lake Erie College, Dr. David Moody will be performing in Blank Canvas Theatre’s One Man, Two Guvnors this September.
Dr. Moody will play the part of Lloyd Boateng, a Jamaican landlord who owns the pub that much of the play takes place in. The part enticed Dr. Moody because of how it avoided racial stereotypes and because of the level of interaction his character would have with everyone else.
“It’s not stereotyped in anyway,” Dr. Moody said of the character. “He does have a sense of empowerment, because he’s the landlord and owner of the pub, which is interesting for the time frame.”
The play takes place in 1963 and follows Francis Henshall in Brighton, England as he searches for work. Henshall ends up being employed by two different men and struggles to keep the work separate throughout a series of antics.
Written by Richard Bean, One Man, Two Guvnors premiered on Broadway in 2012 after a very successful West End run. Blank Canvas Theatre’s run will be directed by Anne McEvoy – who portrayed LEC Founder Mary Evans in a reenactment on campus last year. Dr. Moody previously worked with McEvoy when he played Turkle in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The chance to work with McEvoy again was another reason Dr. Moody was so excited to take the role.
“Anne is in the top tier of professional actors in Cleveland,” Dr. Moody said. “The opportunity to work with her again was too good to pass up.”
This is Dr. Moody’s third time acting in a Blank Canvas Theatre production. His acting credits also include titles at Cleveland Playhouse and several films, including With This Ring (2014).
The process of rehearsing and preparing for Blank Canvas Theatre included three and a half weeks of rehearsal, a huge undertaking for anyone. However, Dr. Moody doesn’t want that to discourage aspiring actors.
“Don’t be afraid to take chances,” Dr. Moody said. “Do what it is you love and go for it, even if it is going to be a crunch in time.”
You can see Dr. Moody in One Man, Two Guvnors at Blank Canvas Theatre until September 24. You can purchase tickets now through Blank Canvas Theatre’s website.