Spotlight On: Stephen Maher
Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into the cast of Sordid Lives. Get to know Stephen Maher who is portraying Wardell “Bubba” Owens in our production!
Introduce yourself to our audience.
My name is Stephen Maher and I play Wardell in this show.
What drew you to your specific character in this “sordid” world?
Wardell is a simple man at first glance. If life challenges your views, hit it. There is more to Wardell underneath. He just doesn’t have the words.
How are you approaching the balance between playing a cartoonish character and keeping them real/grounded, as the script demands?
Wardell’s emotions are right on top. He is easily annoyed and short-tempered with those closest to him. But that hides a massive amount of guilt he feels for past mistakes.
What is the biggest challenge of taking on this role, particularly with the required West Texas accent?
The accent wasn’t the challenge. The costume I end up in before intermission was.
Which line are you most excited to deliver?
“Just put on the brassiere, G.W.!”
“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)?
I had not heard of this show until I auditioned for it.
How do you think your character has evolved—or hasn’t—if you were to imagine them years after the play ends?
I think Wardell has finally made peace with his past and is trying to right the wrongs that his actions have created.
What do you hope the audience takes away from this specific production of the show?
You need to accept people for who they are.
“Sordid Lives” opened 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
