The History, As We Know It, of Slim's Theatrical Career
In addition to his superhuman output as a working musician, Slim was/is also an accomplished stage director. Yes, this is very true.
Slim "caught the bug" early on in his formative years, when he was cast as
the lead in the epic drama
Cheaper By the Dozen - his
high school's senior play.
The reasons as to why he would take up this activity remain incomplete and vague and have spawned a virtual folklore which surrounds Slim to this day. But, it is known that dazzling reviews in the Wayne County Mail convinced him that he had additional callings transcending more than just music and beer. There is a story often told at parties that the dapper and urbane actor Clifton Webb, who played the role on the screen, remarkably (because he was dead at the time) wrote Slim a note congratulating him on his performance.
Mr. Slim Goes to College
Even as Slim left for college, at that time he had no idea where his unconscious path would lead him. As a matter of fact, he had no idea of his unconscious. It is known that his first epiphany occurred when reading Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut - especially the part where everything goes in reverse. That, and first hearing Who's Next.
Slim began working in the Theater's scene shop - building sets and props - but he eyed the action on the stage with a laser-like focus. So, he began to audition for every production and enrolled in every acting class available to him - and gradually, he was cast. Small parts at first - to be sure. But eventually came larger parts, which gave him an aura on campus above and beyond his already solid credentials as an authentic blues giant.
His portrayal of Eeyore was the talk of the northern New York theater community, and he still gets fan letters from former children, now in their 30s, who were so overcome by his performance that they never progressed beyond crayons.....
Despite the rewards and acclaim, Slim finally realized that acting perhaps was not his true vocation. At the same time, he discovered directing. In retrospect, this can be considered a natural progression for Slim, one who was accustomed to leading both in the recording studio and on stage.
Slims first production was J.M. Synge's Riders to the Sea. Set in the early 20th Century on Ireland's Aran Islands, this one act tragedy is a genuine heartbreaker. Thanks to the skills and patience of his actors, Slim succeeded brilliantly with this production, which won the praise of his instructor, Dotty G., whose only criticism was that the set looked like "giant turds." Well, at least Slim did not design the set. One photo exists of this classic production:
Slim next tackled Jules Feiffer's Little Murders.
This was Slims first full-length directorial assignment, and he pulled it off brilliantly. Once again, he was wonderfully assisted by a band of fabulous actors, notably Jim O'Brien as the father, Melanie Hague as the mother, & Craig Freilich, co-author of Pussy Shack, as Reverend Dupa (the role of his life!). The poster for the play, performed in reparatory with Story Theatre, directed by Michael O', still exists.
Known as a gifted children's theatre actor, Slim next adapted a musical version of Chas. Dickens's A Christmas Carol along with his good friend Michael Harron. The production toured schools in northern New York State in the weeks prior to Christmas.
A Guy from Kentucky Sure Is Lucky
Wishing to study and pursue his muse further, Slim traveled south to Tallahassee, Florida, in search of new challenges. These years are somewhat murky, but certain facts are known: He experienced his first failure with a production of Ibsen's Ghosts (which he did not realize was a comedy ), began working on new plays, which eventually became his forte, and spent an internship in Louisville, Kentucky, at the renowned Actor's Theatre of Louisville.
Living in a $10/week Louisville flophouse during that time taught Slim many valuable lessons - that and the lust of a actress/sweetheart from Chicago....to whom Slim remains grateful for taking him in. He was also rescued in Tallahassee and other places as well.....Slim sez "Thanks to you all, and you all know who you are..."
From Tallahassee, Slim moved a bit farther north - to Washington, DC.
Nuevo Playwrightos Teatro Del Washington
Slim walked into his neighborhood theatre, known locally as NPTW, and immediately fell in love with the company stage manager. This led him to return to his roots and build sets, work props, etc. - anything to be near her. His first directing assignment, a staged reading of the now-acknowledged certified turkey, White Horse/Black Horse, was hailed as a triumph, and the play was immediately moved onto the theatre's Spring schedule.
The full production opened to mixed reviews, but Slims direction was universally praised. He was now on the fast track to fame and fortune.
Productions of Down One, Holding On, and Ladyhouse Blues (produced in Ithaca, NY) followed over the next few years, each eclipsing the other in levels of strength, depth, and complexity. The local newspapers were agog.
Slim Decides to Chill
Eventually, Slim tired of the personality digressions that come with the theatre profession. Increasingly, he turned to music as his principle creative outlet. However, he did make two brief, but spectacular comebacks. His productions of Dylan Thomas' Under Milk wood and A.A. Milne's Winnie The Pooh provided spellbinding entertainment to the thousands that flocked to Slims "Renaissance de 80s."
In the next decade, he once again displayed his artistic prowess with the award-winning production of Norman Allen's Jenny St. Joan.
...... for this, he won the distinguished "Outstanding Director Award" from a theatre in Washington that will remain nameless, because Slim doesn't like them very much....
Que Sera, Que Sera
Will Slim return to the stage after his intense involvement with music? Our good friend Will says "All the World's A Stage" and Slim says "Amen." And, he has recently returned to the boards, directing the world premier of Rude Awakening, which had it's first performance in March, 2003 in Ashland, OR to a thunderous standing ovation. Also that year, Slim joined the board of the Ashland New Plays Festival and took the lead in starting ANPF's 10 Minute Play Festival. He directed Folksinger in My Pants for the inaugural of this event, which won "Best Play."
These days, Slim appears to be more inclined to pursue video as a means of theatrical expression. Besides, play directing is an exhausting and awful experience at times. But ones never knows and never say never.