Checking into “Checking Out”

Well, as of this moment in time it’s pouring rain, which is not gonna make my drive to Molloy College in Rockville Center any fun this evening (the Southern State Parkway tends to flood.) But I’ve gotta be there, because tonight is the final dress rehearsal for the show “Checking Out,” in which I play a neurotic Jewish (typecasting, I know) psychiatrist who–along with his two siblings–endeavors to talk his theatrically inclined father not to “check out” of life prematurely. The play was written back in the mid-70s by playwright/actor Allen Swift as a vehicle for himself as the father. And everyone who’s my age, get this: among Swift’s acting credits is voice work on such forgotten cheesy gems of our collective childhood as “Diver Dan” (he was the voice of Dan, Baron Barracuda, Triggerfish, et al), “King Leonardo,” etc. Yes, all those shows that we loved as kids and would be mortified to let our own kids see now since we would NEVER hear the end of it. (“Oh my God, Dad, this makes ‘Power Rangers’ look like ‘Masterpiece Theater.'”)

For those local to the area and want to see dates and times, or just interested in seeing a pub shot from the play (I’m on the left), go here.

PAD

7 comments on “Checking into “Checking Out”

  1. I cannot open the link, but I am going to search for this site…
    I’d really liked to see you on stage, Peter – sadly I am not able to fly from Germany to the USA, ’cause I just finished school.

  2. An errant <BR> snuck into he link. Just take it off the end and the link will work fine.

  3. Yes, it worked. Great picture on the site. I really wifh I could sit in the audience.
    I searched for the script, but I suppose it isn’t available online.
    I never heard of Allen Swift before…

  4. I came to the conclusion a long time ago that plays aren’t meant to be read — they’re meant to be watched. They’re more fun that way.

  5. Yes, I agree. But Allen Swift is unknown in Germany, so I won’t get a chance to watch some of his plays ever…

  6. Sorry I can’t make the performance…I hope all goes (went?) well for you!

    I did some theatre work when I was in high school–had a real blast, though our dress rehearsals usually scared us silly–we almost always seemed to reall #$%# something up!

    Take care!

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