Chicago actor Joe Dempsey plays William Shakespeare’s most autobiographical character, Peter Quince, in the Chicago Shakespeare Theater production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Joe talks about playing this prototypical actor-manager, the rehearsal process for this gloriously funny production, the importance of listening to director Joe Dowling, the joy of rehearsal invention, the freedom of actor ownership, the balance of hustling for auditions, the delight of working with T.R. Knight (TV’s Grey’s Anatomy) as Bottom, the incorporation of many Shakespearean deaths, memories of working with the late great John Mahoney (Frasier), and the fundamental difference between being interpretive and creative artists. (Length 18:33) Peter Quince (Joe Dempsey, with bullhorn) directs Francis Flute (Alec Silver), and helps Nick Bottom (T.R. Knight), assisted by Tom Snout (Jonathan Butler-Duplessis) and watched by Snug the Joiner (William Dick) in Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Joe Dowling, December 6, 2018 – February 3, 2019. Photos by Liz Lauren.
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Lsv
Nope. It’s the one directed by Paddy Breathnach and written by Simon Beaufoy. Released 2001. Really funny movie.
Cate Morgan
I’m so glad Bottle Shock got mentioned…it’s a wonderful little movie full of some fantastic performances. Mr. Rickman’s first taste of KFC was absolutely priceless.
alli
You’re thinking of ‘The Big Tease’. ‘Blow Dry’ features Josh Hartnett with a truly appalling Yorkshire accent.
austin
I’ll check that out! Is that the one starring and possibly written by Craig Ferguson?
Nanc
Aw, it’s so much fun hearing everyone’s memories of Mr. Rickman. He was such a versatile actor and so fun to watch whether playing good guys, bad guys or the combination thereof. I have to put in a plug for my all time favorite Alan Rickman movie, Blow Dry. It’s worth hunting down, a simple yet complex little story that always makes me smile.