OH CONSTANTINE! - A HOLLYWOOD FRINGE DARLING?
- Clayton Stocker Myers
- Aug 7
- 4 min read
The night we closed our Hollywood Fringe run of Oh Constantine!, I knew I was going to need a little time to decompress from the experience. I will admit that I did not foresee that amount of time adding up to almost an entire month.
Last year I was fortunate enough to catch several Fringe shows and show support for the various friends and acquaintances that were putting them on. It left me acknowledging that I had been itching to get back on stage in some form of scripted work myself, though I wasn’t sure of when, where or how. The possibility of helming my own Fringe show was a possibility, but not one I was able to really devote any kind of true time or energy to properly prepare, let alone before this year’s festival would be announced. Yet, as is often the case, things have a way of working out.
In this particular case, the way it would work out would come as a result from an idea a long-time friend and past-collaborator, Jan-David Soutar would decide to pitch his own show to Hollywood Fringe. A show that was initially conceived as a Sitcom Pilot gradually evolved into more of a two-act stage play.and then ultimately have it’s page count whittled down to better fit within the required parameters for Fringe.
When Jan approached me, it was initially to simply read the script. It wasn’t until after I had done so that he asked whether or not there were any roles I was interested in helming myself. He initially even expressed desire to cast me in multiple roles (which I’ve done on stage in the past and the performer in me would have loved to have tackled), but due to the loss of a dear childhood friend at that time, I suggested that I would feel more confident focusing on just one role, which he was more than gracious enough to work around.
It would almost be another month before I was able to join in on the rehearsals in earnest. Given my already feeling rusty and only just starting to regain my footing from the grief of my recent loss, I was bit nervous as to how much catching-up I would have to do. Thankfully, the rest of the cast and crew could not have been more gracious and patient. A point I’m sure had to do with Jan’s having set the tone of play and exploration for our rehearsals, but also for his mindfully surrounding himself with people who resonated with those principles.
As a result of Jan’s continual openness to ideas, the show evolved. More pages were cut, more comedy was inserted and streamlined, and more of a community/family was developed between everyone involved. Each actor/personality came with their own unique approach to the script and the work. Each person’s approach informed and enhanced the other’s and the amalgamation that found its way to the stage as a result proved to be something unique, imperfect, and truly special.
Visit the Hollywood Fringe Site and skim through the reviews. Echoed takeaways range from the writing, the music, the costumes (Hailey Springer), the set design and props (Courtney Stepleton), and more often than not, the chemistry of the ensemble cast with each providing individual style and sound that effectively marries together into a collectively enjoyable performance.
Theatre being Theatre, each show was a little different. A ongoing experiment where we are constantly attempting to dial-in formula that becomes the show at its best. I remember telling one of my cast mates nearing the end of our run that this is the most I’ve ever felt like I was part of The Muppets for how much fun I was having collaborating with fellow Weirdos.
OH CONSTANTINE! CAST HEADSHOTS + IG HANDLES
I’m grateful to everyone who came out to see the show. Especially those who were there to support me in particular (I wish I had photos with All of You!). I’m grateful to the cast and crew for being so receptive to my own contributions and being such generous and supportive collaborators. I truly admire so much about each one of them and their craft. I am grateful to the crew for helping keep us “weirdos” on track and backing us up with such amazing magic behind the scenes (on top of the costumes, props and lighting - our Assistant Directors, Producers, Light and Sound Tech, etc…) I’m grateful to The Hollywood Fringe for letting us be a part of such an amazing event and for the Zephyr Theatre for housing us. Not to mention Umbrella (Bar) for being our go-to spot after most shows and especially our wrap party! And lastly, I’m grateful to Jan for being a friend first by checking-in with how I was managing with my grief. For giving me space to process before diving into rehearsals. For giving me grace to play, improvise and pitch ideas that helped me to further dial in my interpretation of my role (and even keeping much of those contributions in the final script). For believing in me as a human, a friend, a writer, and an actor enough so to continually bet on me to show up and do the work.
This is Not The End - Oh Constantine! Is currently in the process of submitting to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and regardless to whether it is accepted or not, based on the Cast & Crew Text Chain’s continual chimes even a month after our initial run has ended OC! will undoubtedly continue to evolve and pursue more opportunities to reach future audiences!
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