Actor

First and foremost, I believe the actor's role in a play is to communicate the themes and message of the plot whilst filling in their dramatic function believably. The audience should recognize the actor as a character who could exist outside the realm of the theater. They should be realistic, open to new ideas, and be able to reconcile the director's vision with the actual script. The actor must be dedicated, and willing to explore countless hours of their character's persona. And, of course, they must be able to advance the plot forward through the remembrance of their lines, as well as improvisation.

My role as the person in charge of acting is to decide what types of acting theories our cast members should use, what people should be given the roles, what our target audience is, and the rehearsal times. For //Marisol,// I intend to use a versatile, flexible cast who have at least studied the theories of Stanislavsky or Strasberg. This is important, especially for a character like June, who is portrayed as a middle class city girl and later as Nazi skinhead. I want to use relatively well-known actors, but want them to have significant stage and film experience. The actors must obviously be a selling point to the production ticket-wise, but they must be humble, and not overpowering of the message of the post-apocalyptic piece. Casting could take place in New York or San Diego, which would add realism to the actors' performances. We will be rehearsing at least twice a week for three or four months, and each rehearsal will be supervised by the director and myself. We hope to target the average pedestrian walking on the streets of New York in order to convey the theme of a post-apocalyptic world within the play, and to make them consider doing something about it. It is very possible we will be using visceral set pieces to project a realistic quality of the stage, which I believe will balance the absurdity of //Marisol//'s plot.

Rivera wrote the characters of the play vaguely, so I wanted actors who knew how to build a character and have a great deal of eccentricity. There's a lot of room in the plot for an imagined back story, and the performers should be as creative as possible in finding out what makes each of their characters tick.

=The Cast=

Marisol - Marisol Nichols
Marisol Nichols, despite the obvious shared name with the character, has more similarities with the Marisol of the play than meets the eye. Nichols grew up in Chicago, a large city that closely mirrors a place like New York - the setting of the play. She also is of the Latin ancestry, and matches the vision of what I believe Marisol looks like. Though she is the least experienced film actor in the play, I believe that she deserves the chance to shine in the role of a protagonist in such a symbolic production. Nichols has, interestingly, shared screen-time with Robert Downey Jr in Bowfinger, so I believe there will be willingness to work together as a cast. Marisol, who dies in the play, almost seems innocent, in the fact that she always seems out of the loop between the extreme actions of the characters in the play's second act. I believe that Nichols will have the acting chops to realize this, and will portray a believable character that the audience can relate to in their alienation. Most importantly, Nichols will be able to relate with the character Rivera has created, and will hopefully deliver an excellent performance.

Lenny, Man with Ice Cream, Golf Club, Scar Tissue - Jeff Bridges
Jeff Bridges, though a little bit older than his fellow cast members, has substantial film acting experience. He was nominated for Best Actor in the Academy Awards twice, and I believe his method of acting is probably best suitable to //Marisol//. His huge variety of roles over the years(Varying from a drugged-out loser to a sneering businessman of a major corporation) proves that he has versatility, which is necessary for playing the four roles that Rivera specified to be acted by one man. Lenny, a crazed loser who lives in his sister's apartment, easily resembles some of the work Bridges has completed. He was born in LA, and lived in the city for most of his life, so these roles would apply to Bridges's own personal experience.

Angel - Halle Berry
The angel, simply put, is one of the most noble and upstanding characters of the play, but her persona has a violent undertone to it. Halle Berry has proven that she is able to express a violent edge in films such as //Swordfish// and //X-men,// and has significant film and television experience. Berry is the first one who came to mind when I considered the role of the angel; especially when it came to appearance and demeanor. Berry obviously fit Rivera's description of a young black women, and I could picture her as the mentor to Marisol's character. She will definitely add to ticket sales, but her performance will, I believe, be fitting to her role and will not overshadow the other women of the play.

June, Skinhead - Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Dunst is able to portray characters with honesty and sincerity, and I believe that she as matured enough as an actor to be able to play June. Although she is a little young for the part, she has that "all-American" quality that the redheaded character requires. Dunst, who has been acted since childhood, has the great ability to act in comedies and drama; for instance, her role in //Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind//. The skinhead part can be achieved if Dunst surrenders herself to the role, which I believe won't be an issue.

Women With Furs - Meryl Streep
The Women in Furs is an interesting character, and is a persona more symbolic than anything else. Meryl Streep would understand this character's purpose within the play, as she has had more experience on Broadway than any other cast member in this production, and portray it with upmost skill. Streep has proven herself to be not only a great actress with fifteen Academy Award nominations, but an impressive portrayer of supporting characters as well. She can play an antagonist, as well as a love interest, which I believe signifies the talent and the flexibility needed in this play. Streep has done more than enough films, and has lived in New York for several years; I think she definitely needs to be a part of this cast.

[[image:robert-downey-jr-iron-man-400a062507.jpg width="280" height="280" align="right"]]
Robert Downey Jr, who has recently just received a resurgence of popularity in American mainstream cinema, has an instantly recognizable voice. The timbre and pitch at which he speaks seem to perfectly fit the way a reporter would inform the nation. Downey, who has been given universal acclaim and Academy Award nominations for his work, would be able to take the material seriously and portray a character who has elements of himself and what Rivera originally intended. The Radio Voice and Subway Announcer act as informers to the story, almost cautioning Marisol with every step. Downey is a versatile actor, and could deliver this purpose with ease. His work in the visually groundbreaking, avant garde film //A Scanner Darkly// is a great example of why he is perfect for the role.

Homeless Person - Bill Murray[[image:bill_murray_original.jpg width="268" height="333" align="right"]]
Many people may question my casting of Bill Murray as the homeless person. My question to them is, Why not? The man has great experience in film, and got his start in Off-Broadway plays. I don't believe that Bill Murray will cloud the message of the play - he has been in several serious dramas, including Lost In Translation and Broken Flowers. He has the ability to act a serious, realistic role, as well as the power to give life to a small part, like this one. As the serious abstract drama that Marisol is unfolds, it is important that Murray doesn't become the star of the production; this is why I cast such a hugely recognizable star in such a minuscule part. Murray's name will draw tickets to the play, but his performance will not be at the forefront because he has very few lines. It's important that Bill give life to this character, but not distract from the entire theme of the piece.