LTV Studios in Wainscott will present the play A Steady Rain, written by award-winning playwright Keith Huff, directed by Stephen Hamilton, and starring Edward W. Kassar and Joe Pallister. The play centers around the drama of two Chicago policemen and is told mainly through monologues. The show runs from October 1st to 4th and October 8th & 9th, starting at 7:30 PM. Mr. Edward W. Kassar sat down with Hamptons.com to discuss the show, the East End, and acting.
Explain why you are doing “A Steady Rain?”
Joe Pallister and I did it eight years ago and it was a very exciting and brilliant experience. Themes of loyalty, friendship people viewing a same event but having different takeaways from it, different recollections of the event. The challenge is still there. So we have a new director. It feels completely different. I do think the themes are still relevant today, perpetually. So I hope that the audience enjoys the experience as much as we do.
Can you talk about director Stephen Hamilton?
Stephen Hamilton directed Joe and me in the Zoo Story and then went on to direct three other productions I was doing. At first, I didn’t really know Stephen, I knew his reputation, his work. I knew that he was a phenomenal director. The first time I worked for him, the collaboration between Stephen and the actors is something that all actors live for. He’s bright, funny, intuitive, and just a joy to work with, and I am so fortunate to have him on board that it feels like a totally new production.
Please explain your connection to the East End?
I’ve been coming out here since I was a kid. I love the community here. Even as it’s expanded into this amazing resort area, it still feels mostly like a small town in a small community in so many respects. There are some artists out here, writers, actors, musicians, so it feels as though we all support one another, and it’s wonderful to have that sense of community.
How has your commitment to acting inspired you?
I love art in all shapes and sizes, especially the performing arts. Acting inspires me when I go to do a play; it makes me think, and it makes me feel. I do think that art is important. It’s important for society. It helps the scene of the cultures, of their religions, just put the mirror up to the world, and sometimes gives us a view that we haven’t seen. And when I look at something or see a show that inspires me, I selfishly want to inspire others. So my choices are things that I just see or read and I just kind of like it, it’s that simple. I like it on many different levels. I’m fortunate enough to work with the actors out here, both male and female that are so talented and collaborative, that it’s a joyful experience. There are always challenges when I do a show, but my experience is always so full and enjoyable. It’s a play that is a different format from other shows. We address the audience directly.
For tickets, visit ltveh.org
