Editor’s note: Cari Meixner plays Rose in “The Flick,” which finds Weathervane Playhouse’s Founders Theater converted into a run-down Massachusetts movie house. Written by Annie Baker, the play features three underpaid employees who mop the floors and attend to one of the last 35-millimeter film projectors in the state.
My first experience with “The Flick” came about a year and a half ago when I read it for the first time. To tell the truth, I was underwhelmed. I couldn’t figure out what all the fuss was. But upon rereading, I began to understand what an incredible picture of humanity this play is.
The language, which I first read to be so unremarkable, gave voice to people trapped in a changing world, but so unwilling to change themselves.
As I fell in love with the play, I began to fall in love with my character, Rose. She is hard and aggressive and confusing, but I saw in her a deeply insecure girl looking for love wherever she could find it.
The kindness with which Annie Baker treats all these characters, even difficult to understand characters like Rose, is the play’s strength.
Not only has working on this script been amazing, but working with Craig Joseph has been as well. I feel myself growing as an actor during every rehearsal, spurred on my his notes and his direction.
My castmates equally shine and bring out the best in me each evening. As I prepare to graduate from college and enter the professional acting world, this experience has given me strength, confidence and a trajectory of growth that is absolutely invaluable.
“The Flick” runs May 4 through 14. Showtimes are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 to $22 and may be purchased by calling (330) 836-2626 or going to www.weathervaneplayhouse.com. Due to mature themes and language, “The Flick” is recommended for adult audiences only.
