OROVILLE — Get ready to see a town filled with stupidity at the Birdcage Theatre starting next week.
The theater presents “Fools,” a comedy written by Neil Simon and directed by Jennifer Beers. The story is a fable set in Kulyenchikov, Ukraine in the late 19th Century. The story follows Leon Steponovich Tolchinsky, a teacher who is working to educate Sophia, the daughter of Dr. Zubritsky and his wife, Lenya. Leon learns there is a curse on the village that makes everyone stupid, and tries to reverse the curse, but complications arise when he falls in love with his student.
Noah Lopez plays Leon Tolchinsky. He watched auditions for “The Laramie Project” and the director and a friend of his convinced him to audition for “Fools.”
Lopez never planned to be onstage.
“I’ve never done theater, and I’m shy,” Lopez said. “Being on stage is fun and freeing. I like to be creative and I have fun with the other cast members.”
Lopez said he is 75% excited and 25% nervous for the show to start.
“Jen (Beers) is awesome to work with,” Lopez said. “She has decades of experience and has ingenious ideas on how to stay in character. She’s a great director.”
Lopez is happy to receive advice from more experienced actors.
“There is a mix of veterans and newcomers. The veterans give advice and encouragement. I’m making progress and learning from all,” he said.
Beers has directed five shows at Birdcage. She majored in theater performance in college and moved to Los Angeles for awhile to do theater and film. She moved to Oroville in 2011. She started volunteering and began directing in 2019 just before the COVID-19 pandemic. She has served on the Birdcage Theatre board for 12 years.
“There are a lot of talented people in this show,” Beers said. “I like to make it a collaborative process and have the actors develop their own characters and give them tools. I’ve had a great experience with this cast. They are all professional.”
Beers has been involved in theater since she was around 5 years old.
“It gives me purpose. I enjoy being on stage and helping to make people better actors. I give people my knowledge. It’s something I’ve always loved and had a passion for,” Beers said. “It helps with anxiety and depression and you release things you feel.”
Raeshae Shane plays Lenya. She has performed in other shows at Birdcage. She is also on the theater board.
Shane’s experience with the show has also been very positive.
“It’s been amazing,” Shane said. “The play is hilarious. I’m diving into physical comedy which is a lot of fun. The cast is perfectly cast.”
Shane’s husband, who works in construction, built the set.
“He outdid himself,” she said.
Shane has also enjoyed working with Beers.
“She’s very down to earth and is friendly and cool. She’s exciting to work with and has great ideas. She helps break down the character’s needs and wants. That way you become your character and understand your character better,” Shane said.
“Fools” begins March 21 at 7:30 p.m. It runs March 21 through March 23 and March 29 through March 30 at 7:30 p.m. There are also matinees March 24 and March 31 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. Find tickets at www.birdcagetheatre.org.
