The Scarecrow

My good friend Matthew Trumbull just received another in a series of well-earned good reviews in "The Scarecrow" at the Metropolitan Playhouse. Interesting theatre, the Metropolitan, which produces little known works by American authors. It's a mission statement that might make Joshua James a little edgy, but it's interesting and it means they are constantly producing plays I've never seen or read or even heard of.

I'm especially partial to this production because both Matt Trumbull and my old friend Ian Gould are performers. (Ian plays the devil.)

Ian Gould and I went to the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts together waaaaay back in, um, 1991, I believe. He's just a brilliant guy, odd bird, hilarious, fun to watch on stage and I can't wait to see him again.

Matt Trumbull, for his part, has been a friend of mine since our Freshman year college at Emerson. He's been in three of the plays I've had produced in NY, The Death of King Arthur, Reasons for Moving and 465, also at the Metropolitan. He's one of those actors that simply understands how to have a relationship with the audience. It's uncanny. He's also got the right "Buster Keaton" mix of sad and funny; human humor. I'd suggest if you're looking for an actor, to cast him. Or if you're looking to enjoy a play, see if he's in it.

Ian, forgive the picture (which is of course a wee bit unflattering) but I think it makes you look like an artsy-fartsy tea drinking hippie. Found it on Google. Ah, the dangers of the internet.