By Scott Meeker
smeeker@joplinglobe.com
When staging a production of “The Nerd,” there’s really only one rule that needs to be adhered to: Have fun.
“You don’t do ‘The Nerd’ to stress out about it,” said Tim Klein, director of the upcoming Joplin Little Theatre production. “You do it to have a blast.”
The play will be offered at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, March 13, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at JLT, 3008 W. First St.
Klein said that he has been a longtime fan of “The Nerd,” having played different roles and worked behind the scenes in four different productions over the last 15 years.
Set in 1984, “The Nerd” is about a young architect named Willum whose life was saved in Vietnam by a man he has never met. When the man he is indebted to, Rick, shows up at his house the night of his 34th birthday party, Willum is horrified to discover that Rick is a nerd who possesses few social skills and even less tact. And it would seem that Willum’s unwanted house guest intends to stay around for a while.
“Rick is the most annoying character who ever walked the earth,” said Klein, a theater instructor at Missouri Southern State University who is directing his first show at JLT. “It’s a real madcap comedy. It combines physical comedy with lots of witty dialogue.”
Missouri Southern student Brett Hecksher stars as Rick, and Klein said that he is a perfect fit for the role.
“Brett brings insanity to the role,” Klein said. “I’m just letting him do whatever he can do to annoy everyone on the stage.”
The fact that the story is set in 1984 is very important to how events play out, he said. Updating it simply wouldn’t work, especially given the fact that an old-style answering machine plays a huge role in how the events play out.
“It’s really important that the director doesn’t change the time,” said Klein. “If you update the play it wouldn’t make sense.”
At its heart, “The Nerd” is a straightforward comedy, he said, and one that’s as much fun to perform as it is for audiences to watch.
“(The cast) is really having a fun time with it,” Klein said.
The cast of seven also features Phillip Shamblin, Kelsey Amann, Jonathan Peck, Ron Leiser, Meg Berrian and Kooper Duckworth.
Tickets are $13 for adults, $11 for seniors and students, and $5 for children. They can be reserved during normal box office hours, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Details: 623-3638.
