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William Petersen
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A Dublin Carol - Theater Reviews by the Fans

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A Dublin Carol, Trinity Rep, Providence : 30th November 2006 - 7th January 2007

The WPAP said …ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!  Being a fan for more than 10 years and getting this opportunity to see Billy perform live on stage was a wonderful experience.     We always knew he was an incredibly talented actor but seeing him in A Dublin Carol showed us what calibre of an actor he really is, especially picking a particularly hard role to play for his return to theatre after 8 years, left me speechless which for those who know me is unheard of ;).    Billy is onstage almost the entire time with a tremendous amount of dialogue which is flawless.   The two supporting cast members are fabulous as well.   Everyone does a spendid job with the Dublin accent.   Whilst the play tells a sad story, there are many funny moments which hit at the right times.   The set itself is great, front row seats are approximately 6-10 ft away.   There are no bad seats in the theatre, which has a very intimate feel with it being so small.  The theatre itself is very beautiful and the staff are very friendly.    It was a pleasure to be able to visit The Trinity Rep to see this play and make the trip with great friends also.   Those attending in the future will not be disappointed at all.

Craig said…I got my wife tickets to the show for her birthday, we are Trinity Rep. regulars and thoroughly enjoyed the play.  Mr Petersen's performance is fantastic as are the members of the production.    Highly recommended to go see if you get the chance.

Doris said…Read both of Doris’ Livejournal entries of the performances she saw and her group meeting with Billy, here and here.

DM said…Mr Petersen's performance as John Plunkett is "out of this world".  It was great seeing this fantastic actor live. 

Jenny Said…Beautiful theater, wonderful production, I didn't even know William Petersen was going to be in the play, but was pleasantly surprised to see him up there on stage doing his thing.    I've only ever seen him on CSI, but I will be definitely attending more of his plays in the future, couldn't take my eyes off the guy.  Two thumbs up.

Carol said…WOW.   Billy's performance is outstanding and he looks great,   I was so glad to see the beard back and the fact that he was all white just made him look hotter.   ROWR!

Rosie said…Being visual impaired i was sitting in the front row.  I could not "see" the play as it was too dark.  Set like a typical small Irish room, it was dimly lit.   The two supporting characters were marvelous. Then there was William Petersen.  I did not go expecting to see Gil Grissom, nor did  I go expecting to see William Petersen. I saw an old alcohoic man trying his best to figure out what to do with his feelings.  The torment his soul was ripped with, the total dispear he felt at a life wasted by the drink.  The painful tone to his voice, the shuffling of his feet across the stage like someone tired of life, praying that God would end it soon, so he could be out of his misery. William's performance was amazing to hear.  I didn't need to see the play to feel it. The TRINITY staff was totally the most amazingly wonderful group of people.  The personal care I received from them in assistance had NO bounderies.  They were totally amazing.  Again I thank them from the bottom of my heart. William too for allowing me to "see" such a performance.  This is his first in eight years,  I pray we do not have to wait that long again.  For the world not to see such a performer is a sad loss for the world of theater.

Linda said…I've been a Trinity Rep subscriber for many years now, and I have to say Mr Petersen's performance was one of the best I've seen in a long time.   I hope he makes it back up here in the future.

Christine said…My husband got us tickets to the show as a Christmas present.    I was pleasantly surprised to see William Petersen was a member of the cast.    He performance was faultless, he is one of the most talented actors I have ever seen and was glad we were able to see the play.   

Debbie said…We decided to take the trip to Providence as a family Christmas gift to ourselves and we were very glad that we did! The entire cast of "Dublin Carol" did a fantastic job, but I went to see Mr. Petersen and he did not let me down. Both my husband and son have done some acting and the 3 of us agreed that Mr. Petersen's performance was outstanding. The range of emotions that he displayed, anger, humor, fear, made me feel sorry for his character and had me totally engaged in the play. I also couldn't take my eyes off of him!  We loved the theater and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The theater is very intimate which made the play even better. There is not a bad seat in the house. We were fortunate to be in the second row, right, and felt like we were almost in the set. My only complaint is that we didn't have the forsight to get tickets to see it a second time!

Valerie said…I just went and saw it last night, Dec. 31st. It was more wonderful than I ever could have expected. Seeing Billy live right there in front of me, maybe 20 feet away, as I was right in the middle, 3rd row up, was just awesome. I thought he brought out the character in a wonderful way, right down to the constant rubbing of his fingers in his left hand; a seemingly nervous habit of the character. It just added to the believability of his role. Rachel Warren was great too as Mary, and I was very pleasantly surprised by the performance of Danny Mefford as Mark. He was so genuine and believable in his role! All of them were so good, and it was as if they really WERE Mr. Plunkett, Mark, and Mary. This was one of the best times of my life, as I am a huge fan of Billy, and I hope that someday I'll be able to see him again in theater. Only wish I could have actually spoken to him! lol (okay, don't we all!) The discussion about the play with Curt Columbus afterwards was really interesting also!

Paul said…My wife and I travelled from Chicago to see William Petersen's performance in Dublin Carol.   We saw him perform in Flyovers back in 1998 and was so impressed with his performance, that when we heard he was making a return to theater we had to book tickets.     Once again, we were highly impressed by his performance along with the rest of the cast.   Was well worth the trip and we look forward to seeing him again on stage, I hope this will be in the not so distant future.

Carrie said…I went to see the play with a couple of friends, I was absolutely mesmerized by Billy's performance.    My parents had seen him perform in many plays back in Chicago and as soon as I saw that he was returning to stage I knew I just had to go see him for myself.    He was awesome, the play was moving, and the two other members of the cast were brilliant.    Great site, keep it up.

LC said…We got to go on the official opening night.   If Mr Petersen had nerves, you wouldn't have known it.   I'm so glad I had the opportunity to see this wonderful actor on stage.   Amazing experience, I will never forget it.   I really regretted not getting more tickets.

Donna said…Billy was absolutely spectacular. And I know that may be a bit biased...but my husband, who was a bit skeptical, to say the least, was also totally impressed by his acting! The man was obviously born to be on stage!  The fact that Billy was on stage for 80 minutes straight, delivering dialogue in a dead-on Irish brogue, all the while invoking a myriad of emotions...I cannot put into words how mesmerizing he was! Totally and completely different from anyone's conception of him as "Grissom"...he looked, sounded, and acted wholly different. And what I loved most of all? It wasn't one of those infamous "star turns" you see so often.Billy came out at the end with his two acting counterparts to a well-deserved standing ovation. And he seemed incredibly humbled by it all! Once Billy returns to the stage I would recommend to anyone that they should try to see him! It is well worth the time and effort...You would not be disappointed! My hub is now fan enough to promise me a trip to Chicago once Billy is back on stage! I can hardly wait!

Helena said…I saw William Petersen 10 years ago in Night of the Iguana, and was totally impressed.  After seeing Dublin Carol, I am still impressed.  The man was born to be on the stage.  I really enjoyed the play. Rachael Warren and Danny Mefford were very good.  The staff was wonderful and I can't say enough about the theater.  This play would not be the same in a larger theater.  Kudos to Trinity Rep, Curt Columbus, Amy Morton, and the cast for providing a very enjoyable theater experience. I hope to see Mr. Petersen at Trinity Rep again.

Jane said…I'm probably one of the very few people on the planet who didn't know who William Petersen was.    I certainly do now.   What an amazing actor!    I went to see A Dublin Carol with my sister for her birthday and I'm still struggling to form normal sentences.     As soon as I got home, I had to look him up on the net and found this wonderful site.  Keep up the good work.

Phillipa said…Outstanding performance from all the cast.    I can't fault this play at all.   I'm a big fan of Billy because of his role as Grissom, but seeing him take on this role as John Plunkett, I got to see just how talented he is.

WH said…I know I will never forget the time I got to see William Petersen perform on live on stage for the rest of my life.

Tess & Group said…I'm a new fan of William Petersen after watching my first episode of CSI just over a year ago.   When I read on your site he was returning to theater, I knew I had to go.   It was hard saving and lots of extra work, but we made it, loved it, and can't wait for the next time.   Left us speechless.

Patrick said…I'm a Dublin fella myself and I was very impressed with Trinity's adaptation of A Dublin Carol.   I had seen it many years ago in London, I now live in Boston and decided to take my wife to see the show for Christmas.   Fantastic performances from all the cast, they did a great job with the accents, and I very much look forward to seeing more of Mr Petersen's stage work in the future.

Sarah said…I have been following Mr Petersen's stage work for many years.   I have been fortunate enough to see him perform in Flyovers, Night of the Iguana, American Buffalo and now a Dublin Carol.   It's been a long wait for his return to theater and I for one am glad he has returned and with such a memorable performance as well.    He has been greatly missed on the theater circuit the past few years and am very much looking forward to his next play.   At the moment it's a tie between Rev. Shannon and John Plunkett as my favorite characters.

Megan said…I have just found this site and I think I've been sat at my computer 3 days now going through it all.  Great idea with the fan reviews.  I can't believe I have just discovered this white haired wonder.    This is a guy who was born to be on stage.  The two supporting cast were fantastic as well.    I can't wait to see Mr Petersen on stage again.   As soon as he appeared on stage, I could not take my eyes off him.    The only thing I wasn't sure about was that orange cardigan :-)

Charlotte said…VERY, VERY, VERY impressive performance from William Petersen.    I hope he returns to theater full time soon.

Jessica said…Moving, funny, sad, outstanding performances, the perfect night at a theater.  I loved every minute of this play and am very thankful I had the opportunity to see it.

Lauren said…Beautifully acted, perfect set, well written.   Didn't matter where you sat.   Amazing performance from WP.

Nina said…OH MY GOD, I consider myself to be a very lucky girl to have gotten tickets to see this play.    As much as I love CSI and Grissom, I can't wait to see more of this wonderful actor on stage as you can tell from how well he plays the part of John Plunkett, this is what he loves to do, it was an amazing experience and I'll never forget it.  I'm sure you already know, but he's a delight to talk to in person as well :-)

Joanne said…It takes a certain kind of actor to pull off a part this big and WP was all over it.  Such dedication.   I was amazed just how good he was.   I will not hesitate to see him in theater again.

Scott & Mandy said…I got my girlfriend tickets for Christmas because there was a strong possibility I wouldn't be here today if I didn't ;)  I was a little apprehensive at first with the thought of my girlfriend drooling over another guy for 90 minutes, but I actually surprised myself.  I think I enjoyed this play just as much as she did.   Excellent performances from all.  I'd take my girlfriend again to see her favorite actor on stage, however we might have to purchase an extra seat for her extra large drool towel :-) Great site, keep it up.

Lorna said…All I wanted for Christmas was to see Billy Petersen on stage.  My wish came true.   Best Christmas ever.   Wonderful performance from a very gifted actor.

Clair said…Loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it.    It was hard for me to imagine WP as anyone else but Grissom.  Once I saw the play, those thoughts drifted away.   Excellent!!! Did I say I loved it? LOL

Elsie & Richard said…My husband and I are big fans of CSI and we were excited to learn that William Petersen would be performing at our local theater this Christmas.     We saw the play twice.  Absolutely breathtaking.   Look forward to seeing more of him in the theaters in future.

Lisa said…Dublin Carol was the first theater performance I had ever attended. I initially went because I am a fan of William Petersen however, 10 minutes into the performance, I forgot that it was William Petersen on the stage and saw John Plunkett. The show was depressing yet funny in spots. I found that there were a few sections of the play where people would laugh out loud, but some of those sections were not so humorous to me. I guess it is all about what "baggage" you carry around in your life that determines how you react to specific acts. Going to this play has introduced me to the performing arts and I definitely will be attending more performances at my local civic theater. Who knows, one day I may be able to see him on stage again. It was a life changing experience.

Cindy said…No matter what movies, TV shows, interviews or pictures you have seen, rest assured that William Petersen in live performance is more amazing than all of those things. Dublin Carol brings us John Plunkett, a man who cannot allow himself redemption. His demeanor is touching, funny, sometimes desperate. Near the end of the play there is a moment (without a spoken word) when you feel that redemption will finally come, and it is so beautifully played it will stay with you forever. Billy's performance is gifted. His voice ranges from remarkably gentle to cutting the air like a knife. He is always in motion, even when he sits in repose a foot is tapping. He is so focused there is no line between him and his character. His command of the brogue is remarkable (and impossible to get out of your head afterward), which is significant since he has about 80 minutes of running dialogue. While Grissom is downplayed, John has these bursts of emotion that literally shake the room. When Billy is on the stage you can feel his presence. I was quite impressed with Danny Mefford (Mark) as well.  As the cast takes their side-by-side bows, you get the impression that Billy is genuinely humbled by the intense audience response. You've never seen Billy until you see him in live performance... it's obvious that theatre is his heart. I used to hate the thought of him leaving CSI, but after seeing him on stage, I know that one live performance far exceeds the power of 23 forty-four minute episodes. To his fans, I can only say do not pass up a chance to see him in theatre... it's a remarkable experience all around.

Angela said…It was an absolute pleasure to be able to see William Petersen in A Dublin Carol.   I thought it would be impossible to get Grissom out of my head, but that was not the case.   Wonderful performance and can't wait for the next one.

Barbara said…What can one say about seeing William Petersen on stage.   He is truly one of the best stage actors of our generation and I'm looking forward to seeing future performances from him in the future.

Joyce said…Amazing experience for me to be able to see the play.    Only having seen WP on CSI I was excited to see how he would take on this incredibly difficult role.    Like yourselves I thought his performance was flawless.  Rachael Warren and Danny Mefford also did a first class performance.   I don't doubt they will learn a lot from appearing in this play with WP.    BTW, best Billy site I have ever seen :-)

Jessica said…Pleasantly surprised to see WP performing at Trinity.   I try to visit the theater as much as possible, but I can honestly say the performance from Mr Petersen was one of the best I've seen.    Decided to look up more about him after seeing the play and found your site, I will definitely be checking it on a regular basis ;-)

Lacy said…I went with my mother to the play as we are both big fans of William Petersen.   There are no words to describe how impressed we were and cannot wait for his next play which we hope we do not have to wait another 8 years for.

Paula said…PP, what a fantastic idea for fan reviews.    I enjoyed this play so much, I was very moved by the whole thing, I didn't feel like I was watching actors, I felt like I was watching real people.  Everyone did a wonderful job, and I feel blessed that I got to experience this.

Sandra said…I have really enjoyed reading the fan reviews over the last few days and wanted to contribute.   I was completely overwhelmed by Mr Petersen's character of John Plunkett.   You couldn't help but feel for the character and how lonely and scared he must be.   WP was excellent in this role as he is with all the characters he has played in the past.  I will definitely make another trip when he decides to go back to stage again.
SP Said…Outstanding performances from the entire cast.   The concentration and dedication what WP must have put into this role, I cannot even begin to imagine.   It was great to see him live.  When he decides to leave CSI I will not miss him because I know just from seeing his performance how much the theater world means to him and I'm looking forward to be able to see this talented human being on stage again.  Special thanks to The WPAP also.  You and the rest of the team do a wonderful job and you should be proud of how respected the site is amongst us online fans.   Whilst informing us all of what events he may be attending or what he is doing in his career, you show such great respect for WP's privacy as well and will not hesitate to remind people of that which many need reminding of occasionally.  Thank you for all the hard work you all put into the site.

Old_Chick said…Z, you RULE!   I went to see the play because I had heard so many wonderful things about WP's past performances on stage that I had to see it for myself.   I'm going to  quote you now, you told me a long time ago when you go to the theater, cinema, etc you want to be entertained by the actors, you know it's fake, you want them to make you believe it's real, that's what makes a good actor in your eyes.   I can honestly say I know what you mean by that after seeing this performance.    Not once did I think "that's WP up there playing John Plunkett". I felt that fella in front of me there IS John Plunkett.   The talents and professionalism of this wonderful actor never ceases to amaze me, and to top it off, he's one of the most warm and friendly people I have ever had the pleasure of talking to, besides your good self of course ;-)  I recommend to all that they have to see WP on stage at least ONCE in their lifetime, they will not be disappointed, even if they were not a big fan before, they will be after.

Diane said…WP's performance as John Plunkett left me speechless.   The mannerisms, the brogue, how he interacted with his fellow cast mates, it all was a phenomenal experience for me to witness such fine acting of a well written play.    I honestly didn't feel I was sat there 90 minutes, it only felt like 5 as I enjoyed it so much.

Sophie & Michael said…We went to see the play just before Christmas.  I was a bit skeptical about the tone of the play, it is the season for good cheer and what not :-) However, we decided to go because we had seen William Petersen on stage in NY in Night of the Iguana.   We were so impressed with his performance that when we heard he was returning to stage we decided to come to Providence.    Once again, he didn't disappoint us.   I felt the play, despite being sad, told the story of the lonely John Plunkett whilst giving you the satisfaction that it will all turn out OK in the end.   WP has a presence on stage that I have seen with very few other actors.    Those last 5 minutes or so when he's on stage by himself was no doubt my favorite part, he can say so much without uttering a word.   Wonderful, wonderful performance and I look forward to the next time.

Maria Said…WP is one of the best stage actors I have ever had the pleasure of seeing at the theater.   I first saw him perform in Flyovers in Chicago back in 1998 and hoped he would perform there more over the last few years.    I love CSI but really want this talented actor to return to the stage full time.   He's been greatly missed on the Chicago theater circuit.    I decided to go to the play with a couple of friends as we all enjoy his work.    I was impressed with the difficult role he had chosen, and how well he played the character.   The play itself wants to make you laugh and cry because of the way the story is told.   You feel the guilt and loneliness of John Plunkett and can't help but sympathize with him.   I was very fortunate to be able to see the play, and thought the entire cast were amazing.   The theater is so beautiful, I hope I get the opportunity to visit it again in the future.  

Janet said…On Dec. 9th , after traveling from Chattanooga, Tn. , I was greatly thrilled and blessed to see Mr. Petersen perform in person . Even though I own most all of his works that can be purchased, I think unless anyone can see him perform on stage, they cannot truly see how wonderfully gifted he is as an actor. This was also voiced by an older man who came out of the play behind me.   The passion he feels for being there certainly added to his shining perfomance. I am hoping he will feel the call to return to the stage in his native Chicago in the near future.  I have a son and his family there and certainly will  attend a play if it is in my power. Hope you enjoyed the play and Providence  as much as my daughter-in-law and I did.    Your website is a great joy to me and I am greatful for the respectful way in which it is presented.  Please continue.

Nicola said…Wonderful, wonderful performance from Billy.     I was so excited to hear that one of my favorite actors would be on stage at Trinity, I love the theater and go as often as I can.   Seeing him in the role of John Plunkett right before my very eyes was an amazing experience for me.   It was a hard part and he made it his own.   His two supporting cast were wonderful as well, good performances all round considering this was fairly early on in the run.    The set was done very well, from the light drizzle of rain outside, to the "are ya a Christmas man" lights around the door. It sets the play up perfectly.    Trinity have yet to disappoint me and to have someone of WP's caliber there says a lot.   I look forward to him returning to this neck of the woods.

Brenda said…I have been a fan of Billy for many years, but this was the first time I have had the opportunity to watch him in theater.    I was completely lost for words.   How he told the story of John Plunkett's life moved me very much.   He did a great job with accent, as all the cast did, no easy task at all, the set was arranged beautifully and all the actors used the full length of the stage.    In fact WP can't keep still, even when he's sitting down.  For most of the play we listen to John Plunkett recollecting bad memories of days gone by, but the play does have humor, and this is timed perfectly.   I recommend to all fans of WPs that they have to see him perform on stage, there really is nothing like it.    I do feel his talents are lost on CSI at the moment, I love CSI but I will not be too sad when he leaves. How nice was it to see him with his natural hair coloring without all that dye in it.   The man really does have beautiful hair, which under those lights on stage, looked wonderful.   PP, as always you do a great job, and the fan review section was a fantastic idea.

Johanna said…I had been looking forward to this trip for nearly 3 months when I got my tickets.    WP is a wonderfully talented actor when it comes to stage work, I had the pleasure of seeing him once before in Chicago.    I have yet to see another actor who can match him when it comes to theater.   The dedication he puts into the roles he picks.  He really does become that person.    He is by far one of the most talented stage actors around at the moment and seeing him perform in A Dublin Carol just confirmed it all for me.   I really enjoyed the play, was a little worried when WP tripped up the rug, but he just carried on like it didn't happen.   Marvellous performances all around.   I'm looking forward to the next play he does.

Francesca said…I travelled from Italy with my sister to see the play.  I knew it was going to be tough to see WP in any other role but Grissom, but because he is fantastic actor I enjoyed seeing him as John Plunkett just as much.  Whilst English is not my first language and did not understand the play completely when I read it (thank you PP for explaining some things and words for me) once I saw WP perform in the play, I was able to understand it more easily.   I was not disappointed that I flew so far, and will do so again when he does another play.

Melissa said…My husband and I went to see the play.    We flew in from NY.     It was our anniversary and as a surprise my husband got us tickets.   We both enjoyed the play so much, whilst we are fans or CSI and have seen a couple of WP's movies in the past it was a pleasure to see him on stage.  He turned into John Plunkett, a sad lonely man, who seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders.  It was a very touching play and reminds you that Christmas time can in fact be a lonely time for many.    Despite the tone of the story it was amusing to hear the performers upstairs in A Christmas Carol jumping around, thankfully that's one sturdy floor Trinity have there.   WP seemed to have a slight cold during his performance, but still he did a wonderful take on the Dublin accent.    I'm really looking forward to him returning to stage.   It's what he was born to do.

Alex said…What a wonderful experience.   I have never been to the theater before but upon hearing WP was returning to  stage, I thought I better change that.  I didn't know what to expect from the whole theater thing.  I didn't know how to dress, if it was casual or smart or whatever, but what I did find out was that WP is so talented, I'm probably going to get a few tomatoes thrown at me from some but I think the Grissom character has got a little stale the past few years, so it was nice to see WP set himself a challenge with the role of John Plunkett.   I could type all day how wonderful I thought he was, but after reading all the previous reviews, there is really much I can add except I'm glad I lost my "theater virginity" with Billy :-)

CF said…I have enjoyed William Petersen's work in film and television for several years and this was my first opportunity to see him in a theatrical production. I drove down from Ontario with a couple of friends and it was well worth the 9 hour+ drive. First of all, Rhode Island as a whole is simply beautiful - lots of history and 'postcard' picturesque. I was able to do some touring in Providence (Benefit Street is architecturally stunning!) and visit Newport (stand on the dock at sunset - takes your breath away). On our last night there, we saw the play. Probably due to my theatrical experience, albeit limited, I seldom have difficulty separating the actor from the character, so I was completely immersed in Billy's portrayal of a man held captive by his empty existence. The entire production was elegantly understated and I was deeply moved by not only WP's performance but those of the supporting players. 'A Dublin Carol' is a tremendously poignant piece and, while the tone is somber, humour is very much present and I pleasantly and quite unexpectedly, found myself laughing out loud several times with the rest of the audience. My very first thought was that I would love to act on such an intimate stage. The evening was unforgettable and I now am among the admirers of Billy that understand why he is so revered in Chicago theatre. Thank you, William Petersen for sharing your talent!

Buffy said…I never saw or read a script for this play and although I knew the general concept I wasn't exactly sure of the details. The play itself was very intriguing to me, but regardless of that you need good actors to make the play and Billy drew me into the scene from the very beginning, he constantly made eye contact with the audience throughout the entire play and he never faltered in his performance. From the moment he walked on the stage and spoke I really felt as though I was in Ireland. If had not seen him in any other role I would have honestly thought that he was a true Dubliner. I was mesmerized by Billy, especially during the serious parts of the play. He just commands your attention and you are drawn to his character and the whole aspect of the play. The best part of the play for me was the ending (of course I never wanted it to end), but the last few minutes he was on stage were unbelievable. He is so expressive with just his actions that it floored me. Then at the very end when he looked out into the audience and just held his stare, I couldn't look away it gave me the chills.  Even though I don't live close to Providence I am so glad that he chose Trinity (hmmm...like Trinity College in Dublin) for his return, because it really was a very nice quaint little theatre. The theatre itself is so personal, but this venue just seemed to make it even more so. If I had the opportunity I would have thanked him for the opportunity to see him in such a personal setting. My only disappointment, why in the world didn't I go see it twice.  I am still kicking myself for not at least trying to get another ticket.  I guess I'll have to wait for his next performance where ever that may be, although I get the distinct feeling I better start checking out the Chicago hotels and how close they are to the theatre district. I guess I'll start saving now.

Juliet said…I consider myself very lucky. Towards the end of a very busy 2006 I realized that I might just be able to make it to see William Petersen in A Dublin Carol, but it was so late in the day that the tickets were nearly sold out. The WPAP webmistress had one left, and I became the very grateful recipient. What a gorgeous domed lobby at the Trinity Rep, and the Dowling Theatre gave an appropriately intimate setting to what was a very personal play. While I'm sure the cast would have performed just as well in a larger venue, the more distant members of the audience wouldn't have felt so involved, so drawn in to the drama, and wouldn't have been able to catch all the nuances of expression of WP in particular. I saw the play on December 14, early in the run, and was captivated from the start. It was at turns moving, funny, dark, sad, desperate - with in the end the feeling that John Plunkett might at last be headed on the right track. Although I'm a sucker for a happy ending, that wouldn't have been fitting; but there was hope.  I already knew from movies and TV that Billy Petersen is a gifted actor, but I now realize that he must have be born to be on stage. In A Dublin Carol he took on a very challenging role and showed us so much more of what he is capable of. He was well-supported by his fellow players and I am amazed at what they managed to achieve with what sounds to me like a very short rehearsal time. Who knew that I would ever make it to Providence, RI in this life?! Because of this great experience, I am so very glad I did. And I look forward to seeing Billy on stage again, I hope in the not-too-distant future.

Andrea said…A TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO THE STAGE!!! To see one of the worlds most talented actors of our time live and on stage is an unbelievable privilege and experience. The intimate setting of the Trinity Reps Dowling Theater made this the theater event of a lifetime! William Petersen was absolutely amazing as John Plunkett! To mark his return to the stage with such a challenging role shows the breadth and caliber of this fine actor. Rachel Warren and Danny Mefford were wonderful in their roles as Mary and Mark and all the actors handled the Dublin dialect exceptionally well. Kudos to Curt Columbus and Amy Morton for bringing this play to Trinity Reps stage and for giving it life. As well as the wonderful staff at the Trinity Rep for making it such an enjoyable evening of theater. As for William Petersen, I look forward to his next return to the stage and hope that it won't be too far down the road.

Kerstin said…Holiday time in Providence, Rhode Island. People sitting in bars and restaurants, the TV shows football, ice hockey and basketball. The local theater runs the "Christmas Carol". There is no evidence that's something special is going on in the city. If it wasn't for small groups of people standing around the Trinity Rep. They're trying to get a look, a photo or an autograph from William Petersen. The William Petersen, star of the TV-hit-show CSI? What is he doing in a small country theater?  In fact, he is on the stage from the "Trinity Rep" in Providence for 6 weeks. The trained theater actor chooses for his comeback a play from the Irish writer Connor McPherson. „Dublin Carol" shows a day in the life of the undertaker John Plunkett. Christmas Day in Dublin. Plunkett and his young help just finished a funeral. Christmas spirit is missing especially since the older man told is telling his life story. That's the beginning of the 3 person play, a modern variation of Charles Dickens "Christmas Carol". Both share the hope that's never to late for a new start in your life. If you read the play the first impression is: how depressing. But director Amy Morton and lead actor William Petersen create a wonderful balance between grief and hope, laughter and tears.  Williams Petersen's first appearance let the audience forget the Gil Grissom they know from television. Which is really a big compliment. The irish accent, the body language and the different look - this is John Plunkett. William Petersen grabs your attention from the first moment. And you can see how much he is bonded with the theater and how much he loves it.   This is not a Hollywood star who wants to try out the theater once in a while, here stands an actor who wants to be on stage and who should be. William Petersen is very present in his 75 minutes long speaking role that you almost monologue role that you almost forget his co-stars. The young actor Danny Mefford's giving his best and grabs the audience and the laughter in some scences. The female actress Rachael Warren plays Plunketts daughter Mary. Her visit, the first time she sees him in ten years, opens old wounds. The heated discussion between father and daughter is one of the highlights of the play. Both show the desperation, the loss and the still existing love for each other. Regardless of all this Mary gives him a chance for a new start, for coming clear with his family and his life. McPherson let the viewer decided: will Plunkett take this chance or not?  William Petersen shows a broken man who tries to escape. But than he stops. Slowly he unpacked the christmas decoration, listens to gentle music. At the end he sitting down and wait. William Petersen's persona marks also the last scene like the whole play and gives it a positives angle. You can change your ways, if you really want to. That's how I see it. I tried to be contained in the description of my impressions.  I had the chance to see the play more than once and so I got a chance to notice the differences between the performances. Partly it's was because the different reaction of the audience to the scenes and the way they were delivered but also because of the interaction between the actors on the stage and the way the handled the audience.   When I look back at my first evening in the theater, I still feel my surprise and my shock about William Petersen. I don't know what I was expecting but not that. I had never imagined he would bet his good. Really, it was overwhelming. He is such a natural stage actor. And after seeing him there I really can understand why he missed the theater and he wants to do that more. So all I can say is, I hope he will have many great years on the theater. Preferably as actor because then you will definitely find me in that theater again.  But it would be even better if he could find a way to combine his television work with more stage acting, like he did in providence this time, because to be honest I would really miss him on television if he were to go back to the theater fulltime.