Chas Reynolds '81 on stage in Webb’s City
Source/Author: Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig LLP
October 26, 2017
Donning a black bow tie and suit, Charles “Chas” Reynolds (Shorecrest Class of 1981) stepped onto the stage at the Palladium Theatre as Frank Hubert, the villainous character and longtime business stalwart in "Webb’s City: The Musical, A Concert Version." When asked about his character, Chas described Frank as the metaphorical representative of the corporate business community in the 1920s.
"Webb’s City" is a popular play written by Bill Leavengood (Shorecrest Class of 1978). The musical sings the tale of J.E. “Doc” Webb, the entrepreneurial man who opened a drug store in St. Petersburg that turned into a 77 store conglomerate. This was Chas’s second time portraying Frank Hubert under the direction of Mr. Leavengood; the last production was 7 years ago and broke box office records selling over 10,000 tickets.
So, what was it like to play Frank again several years later?
So, what was it like to play Frank again several years later?
“He’s fun to play. I think the best lines usually go to the villain,” said Chas.
Chas describes a scene where his character, Frank, has to enter the theatre through the back door of the house to confront the main character. This put him in the aisle right in the middle of the audience. He recalled hearing the gasps from the crowd as the tension from the situation was palpable.
“You know when an audience is with you. When you hear people gasping or crying or laughing… that’s the best feeling,” recalled Chas.
This was not Chas’s first time on stage. Previously, he played Henry Plant in the musical "Crossing the Bay" at the Falk theatre and Janet Root Theatre, and performed numerous readings at American Stage. He participated in performance arts in high school and college and even debuted in several commercials.
When asked what his favorite part of performing on stage was he replied, “You get to meet people that you’d otherwise never get to meet. It’s really interesting to work with professional actors who have a completely different lifestyle.”
The wildly popular play wasn’t without its own plot twist. Hurricane Irma was heading towards Florida and many of the cast evacuated. There were only 7 rehearsals with a full cast, and everyone had to rehearse at a “break-neck pace.”
No stranger to a challenge, Chas and the cast lived by the motto “the show must go on.” The play debuted on September 14 and ended on the 17th with its fifth and final performance at the Palladium Theatre in St. Petersburg, Florida. There are already plans to have the show done again next September in several Florida cities.
Reprinted from: http://www.butler.legal/Charles-Reynolds-Webbs-City-The-Musical
Read more about the production's Shorecrest ties here.
Reprinted from: http://www.butler.legal/Charles-Reynolds-Webbs-City-The-Musical
Read more about the production's Shorecrest ties here.
