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A FEW MINUTES WITH: James Bowen of K2
By Donald V. Calamia
One of the most respected actors in Michigan - and a longtime familiar face on stages throughout the state - is the award-winning James Bowen, who begins the new decade at Ann Arbor's Performance Network Theatre in the powerful, two-person drama K2. EncoreMichigan.com caught up with Bowen recently between preview performances and chatted briefly about the show, his frequent collaborators and what's next for the popular thespian.
You haven't been seen much this season. Where have you been hiding?
I guess I've been hiding at home. There haven't been many offers here in Michigan for an old stage whore like me. Not to sound like I'm whining, because in '09 I was fortunate enough to do Driving Miss Daisy (BoarsHead Theatre), Fences ( Performance Network), the children’s musical Goodnight Moon and the adult musical The Rocky Horror Show (both co-productions of John Manfredi's Etico Productions and Palace Entertainment).
Maybe I haven't been hiding.
What is it about K2 that attracted you to the project?
I was attracted to the project by the 'idea' of the challenges of this particular play, and by the opportunity to work with two artists (director Tim Rhoze, and fellow actor John Manfredi) who I've known and respected for a long time.
K2 is a rather unusual name for a play. What's it about?
K2 is the name of the second highest mountain peak in the world, located in the Himalayas. Unlike some other attractions, it is not known for its beauty, but rather for its difficulty, danger and prestige (as so few people have conquered it). Patrick Meyers' play explores matters of life and mortality as two injured climbers descend from the summit.
K2 is a two-person drama. Does it make the project easier or more fun when you're on stage with a longtime collaborator such as John Manfredi?
I'm not sure I can explain how easy it is to perform with someone you've known so long. Of course, "fun" is a relative term: But to answer the question, yes, both easier and more fun.
How long have you and John known each other?
I think John and I have known each other about 28 – 30 years. Not long.
What was the first show you two worked together on - and when was it?
I believe I worked on the crew of a Meadow Brook show in 1981 with John, or John was in the show, or something. It wasn't until somewhere around 2000 that I was first directed by John.
What's been the most difficult challenge for you in mastering this play - and why?
The technical challenge of being true to the physical realities of the story's setting, while attempting to maintain the headlong thrust of the drama...and I don't want to say "why" because I don't want you thinking about it while you're watching the show.
Fair enough. You've now got a few preview performances under your belt. Has the audience reacted the way you expected it to?
Pretty much the way I expected, yes. But one never, ever, ever knows how a particular audience is going to respond – so I try not to think about it.
But of course I do.
Has anything surprised you about their response?
I can't really say "surprised," but I have been appreciative of how attentive and appreciative they appear to have been.
What's next for you once K2 closes?
Next I go back to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival to be directed by Tim Rhoze (K2's director) in a new musical play entitled Nobody about vaudevillians Bert Williams and George Walker. It is a piece we've workshopped there over the last couple of years, and Tim has been continually working with the playwright Richard Aellen. Like K2, it should be a thrill.
ABOUT JAMES BOWEN:
James happily returns to the Performance Network family after last season's Fences (with a humble thanks to PN's subscribers for their acknowledgement), also directed by Tim Rhoze. He was last seen by Michigan audiences performing with John Manfredi in The Rocky Horror Show at Meadow Brook Music Festival. Bowen has received Detroit area critics' awards and citations for his work in Driving Miss Daisy (directed Manfredi), 74 Georgia Avenue (Jewish Ensemble Theatre), Master Harold...and the Boys (Planet Ant), Ain't Misbehavin' and as Louis Armstrong in Janet Choe's How High the Moon (Plowshares Theatre). Other work highlights in Michigan include Belize in Angels in America Pt. 1 : Millenium Approaches, Toledo in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Polonius in Hamlet (Michigan Shakespeare Festival), Russell Parker in Ceremonies in Dark Old Men and John, John the Miller's Son (Detroit Repertory Theatre), both directed by Rhoze.
SHOW DETAILS:
K2: Performance Network Theatre, 120 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor. Thursday-Sunday through Feb. 7. Tickets: $27-$41. For information: 734-663-0681 or www.performancenetwork.org.
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