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Theatre Series
vol. 3
Golden Roll Productions goes to Broadway! Not exactly. There are two main reasons for the theatre series. The first is to show how some of the more popular actors in GRP developed their skills. The majority of these productions take place in 1989 and 1990 at Highland Regional High School in Blackwood, NJ. This is where many of GRP's performers developed there acting, writing and directing skills that will help the success of the company down the line.
The second reason for becoming involved in theatrical productions is to re-spark the interest of GRP cofounder Bill Shute. Bill was last seen in the monster smash Searching For A Glory. By GRP standards, that was over 20 productions ago. Bill has been busy working with his new theatre group writing many original skits. Bill and Mike decided to collaborate their talents once again. This time around Mike will produce Bill's production in two formats. First he will film the groups live stage performance and secondly film their skits in a controlled set atmosphere. This way the group has tape of themselves that they can use to promote themselves. As compensation, the group will be casted in Michael Mowery's new dramatic feature ARCHAIC.
One Size Fits Ed is an aspiring theatre group featuring long time GRP performer Bill Shute. As promised by the first two volumes of Theatre Series, this volume was used as a catalyst to re-spark Shute's interest in GRP.
One Size Fits Ed is showcased here during a live recent performance at Rurgers Camden University. All skits are original work developed by the three man group consisting of Chad Damiani, Steve Meagher and Bill Shute. Seen here are five pieces interwined between a cleverly written sixth piece used for the transitions.
| Produced for Video by | Michael W. Mowery |
| Written & Directed for Stage by | Bill
Shute, Chad
Damiani Steve Meagher |
| Videography by | Michael W. Mowery, Susan Basile |
Personal Trainer
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Cast
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| Shotgun | Bill Shute |
| Trainee | Steve Meagher |
| Ed | Chad Damiani |
Personal Trainer is a skit about a person (Steve Meagher) looking for quick results in the sport of body building. He turns to his friend Ed (Chad Damiani) for advise. Ed turns him over to his personal trainer Shotgun (Bill Shute). Shotgun conducts a very unorthodox way of working out which will produce results if he doesn't kill you first.
This is a good opening skit to start off the show. It is short which sets the pace of the total performance. It is also funny from beginning to end. The credit is in the writing and also in the way Bill Shute performs the role. Steve Meagher provides good body and facial reactions which may lend to over acting a bit, but is very effecting in that they heighten the insane personality of Shotgun.
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Johnny Handle
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Cast
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| Johnny Handle | Bill Shute |
| Bocco | Steve Meagher |
| the Pope | Chad Damiani |
Johnny Handle is the in depth look at how an advertising agency will stop at no cost to land a client. In this case the client is the Pope (Chad Damiani) which proves to be more than Handle Enterprises can deal with. The agents go through a series of different angels to land this client. The end result is some very funny moments.
Johnny Handle is the longest piece in the performance. The script was written with many jokes from different time periods. This means that the group is counting on the fact that their audience is somewhat intelligent so that they can get all of the jokes.
Bill Shute for the second straight skit is the main focus of attention. He is witty and energetic which is the way a real advertising executive would go after a client. Steve Meagher's role of Bocco is the homosexual side kick whixh is there to deliver all the important punch lines. Chad works the audience through out the entire performance with great facial expressions. Because his character is silent, he needed to deliver big expressions to give his character the same focus as Handle and Bocco.
On the negative side, this piece does run long. It becomes very easy for the audience to become distracted if the performers don't keep the pace moving. Another big problem is that this script has a lot of dated material which everyone is familiar with now, but may loose something in the near future. Don't get the wrong idea though, Johnny Handle is a hilarious routine and one of the best skits performed.
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Clear Glass Cop
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Cast
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| Murphy, Glass Installer | Bill Shute |
| the Cop | Steve Meagher |
| the Thug | Chad Damiani |
Clear Glass Cop is a unique view at a police interrogation. The skit starts off with this nerdy window installer (Bill Shute) installing a new sound proof window in the police interrogation room. That is what sets up the comedy in the play. As the cop (Steve Meagher) give the Thug (Chad Damiani) the business. Murphy (Bill Shute) appears on the other side of the window and demises his partner because he doesn't realize the thug can see him.
Clear Glass Cop becomes the second straight skit where a silent character steals the show. Bill Shute as Murphy is extremely funny. The way that Meagher interprets the cop adds justice to the script. It isn't even necessary to hear the words as the body actions of the performers add much more than one could image. This piece was also short like the first skit and that keeps the audience interested because it isn't putting a demand on their attention span. This skit is appealing as it shows how society views the cop on the other side of the glass.
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End of The World
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Cast
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| Bob | Bill Shute |
| Stork | Steve Meagher |
| Ray | Chad Damiani |
End of the World is a look at how young adults can get caught up in the pseudo reality of fads and cults. In this piece, Stork (Steve Meagher) and Ray (Chad Damiani) belong to a faction known as End of the World. They believe literature that says the World is going to end at multiple times depending on what is read. As each time gets closer, the two friends reveal deep hidden emotions that they feel they have to get out. To add a little sanity to the insanity, Bob (Bill Shute) is the voice of reason who points out how all of their stupid beliefs have been just that...STUPID!
This is the groups favorite piece. While it is amusing to say the lease, it is also apparent that the skit needs a little work. The funniest lines are right before the world is suppose to end. The problem is that Chad and Steve are screaming during this part and it is difficult to hear exactly what they say. The other problem is that this piece seems to just end. There doesn't seem to be closer like the other skits. Overall however, this piece really works as the audience gets a suprise near the end of the skit. If you want to know what the suprise is, then your going to have to see the show.
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Latin Slumber Party
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Cast
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| Trish | Bill Shute |
| Amy | Steve Meagher |
| Arlene | Chad Damiani |
Latin Slumber Party is a story about three best friends that grow apart as they get older. Trish (Bill Shute) and Arlene (Chad Damiani) are still best friends as they have many things in common. They both posses major physical problems and they are not exactly the most attractive women either. Arlene has a very optomistic outlook on life which compliments Trish who is very pessimistic.
The third girl Amy (Steve Meagher) is the exact opposite of the others. She is beautiful, popular, outgoing and perfect in every way. The other girls envy her and she realizes that they are her only true friends. Amy does however live up to her reputation and leaves the girls behind when her boyfriend shows up.
This piece is funny based on the costumes and ailments created by the group. (Chad Damiani) appears to have more fun with this character than any other which helps to make this character one that you tend to remember even after the performance is over. His role of Arlene is blinded by loyalty to a friend who has long forgotten about her. Bill Shute plays the role of Trish in the most pathetic way possible which leads to the overall success of the skit. Steve Meagher's character appears to mock the stereotypical view of the "prom queen" type high school girl. These three very bizarre looking girls provided a lot of laughs as the script makes fun of their ailments and attributes.
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Running Time: 1 hour 16 minutes
Profanity, Sexual Innuendo Humor, Adult Theme Jokes
Video Release 11/22/95