‘Fearless’ and ‘hilarious’
Why John Larroquette, known for “Night Court” and “The Librarians,” is starring in Arizona Theatre Company’s presentation of the “The Heath,” by prolific playwright Lauren Gunderson.
Emmy and Tony Award winner John Larroquette will star in Arizona Theatre Company’s presentation of the “The Heath.” Written by playwright Lauren Gunderson, “The Heath” is a story based on Gunderson’s grandfather’s life. Tapping into Larroquette’s time as a radio DJ in his New Orleans hometown, the show will be streamed online in an audio format with imagery.
“As an actor just using my voice is a great challenge and an opportunity to try and bring this guy to life,” Larroquette said.
Directed by Arizona Theatre Company’s artistic director Sean Daniels, the play will feature Larroquette as Gunderson’s deceased grandfather, K.D. Martin, and King Lear. Gunderson will appear as herself.
The show will begin at 5 p.m. on April 14 and 18. It can be viewed on the theater company’s website, YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo channels.
“Lauren’s work is fearless and equal part hilarious (with chunks of science, of course) and asks the question of our time: will we ever learn to look for similarities and not differences in those different from us,” Daniels said in a press release. “Can we lead with love and curiosity before it’s too late?”
Larroquette is best known for starring in television shows including “Night Court,” and “The Librarians,” but he said his passion for acting became clear to him while doing skits during his radio show in the 60s.
“I was always sort of acting with my voice so I moved to LA and tried acting. And with some success, I began to make a living at it relatively soon after I arrived in LA and I’ve been doing it for 45 years now,” he said.
Larroquette added that he was attracted to the project for the opportunity to work with Gunderson and Daniels.
“I was attracted to it because it would give me an opportunity to work with Lauren, knowing how prolific and what an important playwright she is,” Larroquette said.
“And the work that Sean has been doing in Arizona with theater groups attracted me as well. Theater is a primary love of any actor, I would hope, and certainly for me as I started in the theater and love the theater.”
Larroquette also said that feeling the depth of Gunderson’s characters means audiences won’t miss the visual element of a typical theater production.
“The emotional content of the character should be evident without, necessarily, the visual,” he said.
“I think you just play it for the content of the character and the scene. And if you do a decent job, the emotion should be relayed to the audience easily.”
“The Heath” will be followed by virtual performances of the play, “Somewhere Over the Border,” inspired by Reina Quijada’s real-life journey from El Salvador to the United States. The play will stream at 8 p.m. May 4-8.
Details: arizonatheatre.org.