What’s your name?
Larry Niland.
Who are you playing?
I’m playing Bill Fordham.
What town are you from?
Glastonbury.
Is this your first time at HITW?
No, I’ve been here forever. My very first show was The Devil’s Disciple which is behind you right there. That was probably in the late eighties. I’ve directed a number of shows, including the first Lint. Complete History of America Abridged, Keely and Du, All In The Timing. There’s a whole bunch of shows that I’ve directed and appeared in. I’ve also done sound design for I can’t tell you how many shows here. Way back when, I was on the Board of Directors and even President of the Board for a couple of years. I’ve been away for quite some time. I’ve had children, and they take up my time. I saw Warren at the anniversary event that we had and he asked me to do sound. I said, sure, because I worked with Warren forever, he’s fantastic. I thought, well, I might want to audition for this one part. He said, yeahhh, that’s not the part that I’ve got for you, but if you’re interested, I’ve got this one for you. So, I talked to my wife and I worked it out. And here I am.”
How did you get into theater and what is your background in theater?
I took a few acting classes back in college, and I really had a little bit of a bug for it. I started at HITW. Did a large part of everything that I’ve done, here. Wound up doing Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged, which was fantastic. Toured that around, all over the state and to schools and the Garde Arts Center. That was just fun every time we got together. I’ve always loved doing it.
Describe your character.
I’m probably only the second least likable character. Bill is husband to Barbara. Father to Jean. Barbara is daughter to Violet and Beverly, who the show revolves around. We moved to Colorado, but we came back because of the situation. I don’t want to give away too much.
If you could give your character advice, what would it be?
[laughter] Depends on when I was giving that advice. Um. Don’t date your students.
Yeah, that’s good advice. So, why do you think the show got a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2008?
It’s a terrific show. I mean, the characters have so much depth in the interaction between them. It’s so real. One of the people backstage said “did Tracy Letts get my family’s Thanksgiving? Did they just pull it right from there?” It feels real. You can identify with a lot of the characters. Not always in a good way. But you can identify with them.
Relatable.
Yes, very. It’s very well written. And it’s a pleasure to do. Thankfully, we’ve got a very talented cast and it’s a joy to be working with all of them.
Do you have a favorite drink, alcoholic or otherwise?
Drinking good scotch these days.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I am Vice Chairman of the Glastonbury Town Council. Between my regular job, doing some theater, and dealing with my kids, I’m also doing a lot of Town Council work.
Governance.
Yes.
Is there anything else you’d like to say? Other ventures? Shoutouts?
My son is here today. You know, he’s going back to college. He just finished his first year at the University of New England. He was a soccer player when he was in school. He wound up as a kicker in his high school team his senior year. He wound up getting recruited and he’s going back early in a couple days to play football. I’m excited.