As part of our Meet the Cast of The Liar Blog Series, let us introduce you to Michael Ooms:
ROLE: Philiste, Alcippe’s friend
DESCRIPTIVE LINES ABOUT PHILISTE IN THE PLAY:
(Said by Alcippe to his friend Dorante)
You know Philiste? The beau monde’s favorite beau?
(Dorante’s reply)
The man they call the Baron Comme Il Faut?
We know each other from Poitiers.
CAST QUESTION:
This play will be visually and verbally stunning. Every cast member, including you, must do “verbal acrobatics” with challenging wordplay and perfect timing with not just delivery but also comebacks. As an actor, how do you get to the point that you can deliver such lines as if with ease?
This is a great question. In order to pull a thing like this off, a multitude of facets need to fall into sync. In my mind, there are two truly important elements: hard work and honesty. As a cast, we work tirelessly to find the rhythm and truth of a piece. While understanding the title of the play, The Liar, we all have to find our truths within it. A lie is only as good as the belief it inspires. And that’s what we work towards. The belief in these words to inspire something. Fact or fiction, the words must deliver the story that we as a cast are so graced to have been given. David Ives has a great mind for so many things. Among the grandest are language, truth and comradery (in my humble opinion). Our ultimate goal has been to respect his work and bring it to life, as one. And that’s the real trick. To find the key together and unlock the thing. From where I’m standing, this box is open; and it’s hilarious.
CAST BACKGROUND:
Park Square Debut Representative Theatre Classical Actors Ensemble: Doctor Faustus; Savage Umbrella: These Are the Men; Swandive: Five Flights; Pioneer Place: Tuesdays with Maurie; Gonzo Group Theatre: Long Day’s Journey into Night; NightPath: Our Town Film Mighty Ducks; Mighty Ducks 2 Training Classical Actors Ensemble: Company Member; Gonzo Group Theatre: Founding Company Member Upcoming Projects Savage Umbrella: The Awakening

Michael Ooms with his actor-parents Richard Ooms and Claudia Wilkens,who have also delighted audiences on Park Square stages
Photograph by Connie Shaver
Area Premiere of The Liar – Park Square Theatre’s Proscenium Stage – Ends Oct 2