From Deseret News archives:
Actors play against type in 'Bus Stop'
Monroe as "Cherie, the lounge singer" and a diverse collection of eclectic characters, including a couple of cowboys and a delusional professor, become marooned in a blizzard in a small-town Kansas diner. Fist fights, romance and a few cowboy ballads follow the reluctant coming together of these assorted strangers.
The production at Brigham Young University is quite different, say cast members.
"The character I play, Dr. Gerald Lyman, isn't even in the movie. His character was cut because he was too controversial for the 1950s," said Clay Bunker, a 24-year-old senior in the university acting program.
"I'm really glad BYU is doing this because I really think Dr. Lyman's is a story that needs to be told."
Bunker's character battles a number of addictions, including alcoholism. He's also about 30 years older than Bunker and lecherous.
"The seniors in the play are assigned roles, as a senior project, that are either against type for them or that present a special challenge," said stage manager Katie Renzille.
Consequently, just about everything about Dr. Lyman's character is very different from Bunker's own life experience, Bunker said.
"But Dr. Lyman, although he's done some awful things, is still human. I think the challenge is the same challenge there is in any role, which is to share the soul of the character, explore both the humanity and the divine potential," Bunker said.
Director Tim Threlfall said "Bus Stop" was chosen by a committee looking for an American classic to put on stage.
"I've not seen this done at BYU before," Threlfall said. "It's actually just been a real delight to direct because the cast has been very professional, and we've had a decent amount of time to really explore the story."
Threlfall said there is a great message about unconditional love in the play, as well as a good deal of fun.
If you go
What: "Bus Stop" in the Margetts Theatre at the BYU Harris Fine Arts Building in Provo
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays through Nov. 20 with a matinee Nov. 13
Cost: $12 ($3 off for students with ID)
Tickets: BYU Box Office, 378-4322
E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com
