Spotlight On: Brian Ballou
Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into the cast of Sordid Lives. Get to know Brian Ballou who is portraying G.W. Nethercott in our production!
Introduce yourself to our audience.
I’m Brian, and I’m excited to be part of “Sordid Lives”. It’s the kind of show that doesn’t apologize for what it is—big, funny, messy, and honest—and that’s exactly why I wanted to be involved.
What drew you to your specific character in this “sordid” world?
I was drawn to “Sordid Lives” because it makes people laugh while also putting important LGBTQ+ stories right out in the open. I’ve always believed you get further with laughter than anger. G.W. is someone we can laugh at instead of just getting mad at—and that makes the message land in a different, more effective way.
How are you approaching the balance between playing a cartoonish character and keeping them real/grounded, as the script demands?
G.W. can definitely feel cartoonish, but I don’t think he works if you treat him like a joke. He’s a real person—deeply flawed and very good at avoiding responsibility. The script has fun with that, and my goal is to keep him grounded enough that the humor comes from truth, not exaggeration.
What is the biggest challenge of taking on this role, particularly with the required West Texas accent?
Honestly, his worldview. G.W.’s idea of what it means to be a “man’s man” is pretty far from how I move through the world. While I’m sure I share some of his flaws—we all do—that part of him doesn’t come naturally to me, which makes it both challenging and interesting to play.
Which line are you most excited to deliver?
“I’m in hell.”
“Sordid Lives” is a massive ensemble piece. How are you collaborating with the cast to create that specific, chaotic family chemistry?
How did you first discover the world of Sordid Lives (the movie, the series, or the play)?
My husband introduced me to it years ago. He quotes it often and references it all the time, so this show has been part of my life long before I ever stepped into it.
How do you think your character has evolved—or hasn’t—if you were to imagine them years after the play ends?
G.W. doesn’t really make a big turn during the play itself. I’d like to think that, eventually, he starts taking at least some responsibility for his actions—but I’m not totally convinced it happens overnight.
“Sordid Lives” opens on March 13th and runs through March 22nd at Connecticut Theatre Company. Tickets on sale now!
“What I really liked about SORDID LIVES was that, despite all of the ridiculousness, it wasn’t just funny. Don’t get me wrong, it was very funny! But it was also moving.” — KRISTA GARVER of BroadwayWorld.com
“Playwright Del Shores is the master of characters: dude-at-the-bar characters, one-Coors-too-many characters, hell-hath-no-fury-like-a-woman-done-wrong characters, and men-who-adore-Tammy Wynette characters.” — LANA SWEETEN-SCHULTS of Times Record News
“Chain smokin’ and fast talkin’ housewives, crazy and eccentric characters, bizarre situations, a ‘coming out’ story, are loosely based on real life stories, as observed by young Shores who grew up in a small Texan town as “a Southern Baptist preacher’s damaged by religion child,” and lived through his own ‘coming out’ later in life. The authenticity of the characters explains the power and popularity of Sordid Lives with both gay and non-gay audiences. “Not only is it (the play) funny, but people really relate to the characters and feel safe to share it outside the gay community” Shores has said.” — ELIZA ANNA FALK of DC Theater Arts
