Art embodied.
The cast of God of Carnage at Theatre Charlotte: Aimee Thomas (Annette Raleigh), Paul Riley (Allen Raleigh), Jenn Grabenstetter (Veronica Novak) and Brandon Samples (Michael Novak)
After years away, I have returned to acting. And not in a small way (as is my way), but in a theatre production that features four principal actors sharing the stage for the entirety of the show. 90 minutes. No intermission.
I spent the first two weeks terrified that I literally could not do this. I spent more time worried about being the weak link and letting the rest of the cast down. And, with their help, and the director’s help, I finally, finally came out on the other side. And terror has become joy.
“This lovely quartet of skillful actors are quite perfectly cast.” - Theatre Charlotte’s God of Carnage
The in-between years – in-between film work in Austin and here – I spent writing a novel. A process my husband has since called “the brooding years.” I didn’t know it at the time. There were moments of joy. Moments of accomplishment. Moments of pride. And, in the end, so many moments that were so out of my control. The culture wars. Actually selling the book. So many near misses or, I suppose, near hits.
Last summer, I spent three weeks in France. My biggest takeway was the concept and practice of sensuality – literally the gratification of the senses and the indulgence of appetite – getting out of my head and back into my body. I am finally understanding that that feeling, that concept, is connected to why I return to dance again and again, why my love language is physical touch, and why acting hits so hard. I am most content when I am fully embodied. And merely writing, even if long-hand versus laptop, is not enough.
With acting, there is still plenty that’s out of my control. The opportunity. Getting cast for it. Being able to carve the time out of daily life. But when it works? When it works it fills my soul. And right now? It works.
If you’re in the Charlotte area, come check out God of Carnage at Theatre Charlotte.
What audiences are saying
“Run, don’t walk, to this show.”
“Save the trip to Broadway. Theatre Charlotte rocks.”
“There are fewer things I love more than watching actors cook with all the burners on, and let me tell YOUUU…?! God of Carnage did that for me last night…if you know what’s good for you, you’ll get your ass in a seat at TC.”
“Hilarious, provocative and well written comedy! This lovely quartet of skillful actors are quite perfectly cast.”
“Literally I smiled the whole time. It was Frasier Meets VEEP in all the best ways.”
“Aimee, Jenn, Brandon and Paul have done the WORK. It shows. It’s a rollercoaster of a show the whole time, and I loved every second of it. Get. Your. Butt. To. This. Show.”
