Actor Thomas Mark as Gerry in a scene from "Bright Colors and Bold Patterns" at Island City Stage in Wilton Manors from June 4-20.
Thomas Mark stars in "Bright Colors and Bold Patterns," Drew Droege's off-Broadway comedy that is getting its South Florida premiere at Island City Stage in Fort Lauderdale's Wilton Manors neighborhood starting Saturday.
Actor Thomas Mark as Gerry becoming more lucid in a scene from "Bright Colors And Bold Patterns" at Island City Stage in Wilton Manors.
In the opening scene of the one-person play, it is the day before the wedding of Josh and Brennan. They are by the pool a Palm Springs home when in walks their friend, Gerry, who is either the ideal wedding guest or someone's worst nightmare, depending on your point of view.
“The play is such a fantastic idea. In a normal one-person show, the performer breaks the fourth wall and the audience is your scene partner, or the performer will play several roles. Not so here,” said Mark.
“There are four characters in the show, but the audience only sees mine, Gerry," said Mark in a telephone interview.
Actor Thomas Mark talking to the audience in a scene from "Bright Colors and Bold Patterns" at Island City Stage in Wilton Manors from June 5-20.
Mark said that he is only interacting with people he can see. "But I have to make the audience see the characters as well. I thought that is fascinating and a career milestone challenge for any actor taking on the part," he said.
Raised in the Queens section of New York City, Mark lived with his family in West Palm Beach, where his family still resides. After several years of performing on stage in South Florida, Mark returned to New York to work primarily as a playwright.
Mark teamed with director Michael Leeds, scenic designer Jodi Dellaventura, among other members of Island City Stage Executive Director Andy Rogow’s crew in creating the perfect environment for Mark to become Gerry.
Actor Thomas Mark in monologue as Gerry in "Bright Colors And Bold Patterns" at Island City Stage in Wilton Manors from June 5 through 20.
“In my portrayal, my director and I discussed extensively about Gerry’s voice and demons and how they manifest him into becoming ‘the life of the party’ and how that role itself is an exhaustive, emotionally draining cycle. There are several fascinating layers to playing Gerry in this play that are a ton of fun to do along with the fumes that drive him," Mark said.
Written by and originally performed by the playwright in 2016, the play takes a mostly humorous look at gay culture, but also with some introspection about the issues of gay rights and equality in marriage.
The play runs from through June 20.
“Bright Colors And Bold Patterns” by playwright Drew Droege, running from June 4-20 at Island City Stage, 2304 North Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors. Tickets are $35. For tickets and more information, go to islandcitystage.org or call 954-928-9800.
