|
By Lou Christine (Mar 3, 2006) Thespian Ethan Emery plays a former hit man for hire when he reads from Karl Shiffman's chilling screenplay Killer Down the Road at Finnegan's Restaurant tonight and tomorrow, March 3 and 4. Local performers Rick Davey, Marilyn Bullivant and John Wharton round out the talented cast during a special script reading produced by Sally Leonard. Part-time resident and accomplished screenwriter Shiffman will direct, hoping to parlay his latest work into a feature for the silver screen. Listening to seasoned actors read out the parts enables him to fine-tune his scripts before turning them over to his agent for studio consideration. "Ethan fits the bill," says Shiffman. "He's the right age, burly, with acting experience, and his stage savvy creates the right amount of tension I've been in search of in order to breathe life into my character of the henchman, Lucas Mack." Emery's is a familiar face around San Miguel during winter months. He's a respected member of San Miguel's theatrical community, but he hasn't been very visible lately because he's been busy building Casa Mision, his bed and breakfast tucked away in Colonia San Antonio. Emery is one of those guys who often seems larger than life, both on and off the stage, with his distinctive and booming voice. There's a certain swagger and an air of confidence that exudes success and maturity. He's strong-featured with a certain flamboyance that's punctuated by a gold earring and a white ponytail. The roguish 68-year-old was born in Cincinnati and attended Harvard, where he studied to be an architect. He promised his father he'd join the family business but wanderlust led the young maverick out into the world to sow his oats for a spell. Just before he was to join the family firm he had what was supposed to be one last fling, a three-day jaunt to Thailand. Three days stretched into six and a half years. While in Bangkok, Emery opened and operated a restaurant. Eventually, he washed back up on US shores, joined the family firm and went on to marry and help produce and raise four sons. During the summer Emery resides on an island off the coast of Maine. Gourmet cooking and drama have been his consummate passions. He's been front and center in a number of local productions, playing significant roles in Inspector Hound, The Dresser and Dracula. Emery says he enjoys working with local director Allan Gross, whom he deems to be a pro. Emery also has lent his singing voice to some of Judy Marzulli's local musical productions. As for nailing a part, "Once I find the voice I find the character," says Emery, elaborating on his stage acting method. Asked about inspiration, a certain twinkle of admiration sparkles in Emery's deep blue eyes when paying homage to actor Christopher Plummer, saying that he's his role model, and that Plummer's an actor worth emulating. Emery believes he's up for the challenge when it comes to reading the part of Shiffman's sinister character. Killer Down the Road is a story about a mystery writer who finds himself out of his realm when he tries to befriend a notorious killer who has paid his debt to society by doing hard time. An uneasy and somewhat tenuous relationship forms between the two men. Neither character is sure about the other's motive for striking up such an unusual friendship. The killer, while in prison, read the body of the writer's work and admired his style, but he felt the novelist missed the mark when describing murder. As the plot unfolds, the conflict festers. Lou Christine is a local writer and long-time contributor to Atención. Killer Down the Road, Reading of screenplay by Karl Shiffman Friday, March 3, and Saturday, March 4, 8pm Finnegan's Restaurant, Codo 7 75 pesos, includes complimentary margarita and tapas |