Director interview: Gregory Scott Stuart

Happy New Year from VLOC!  We're excited to kick off 2016 with an interview with our Robin Hood director, Gregory Scott Stuart!  This is Gregory's first time directing a show with VLOC - welcome, Gregory!

Name
Gregory Scott Stuart

What's your role in Robin Hood?
Stage Director

What's your favorite part of the show?
There are many parts of the show that I adore. The musical numbers for all male voices are amongst them. However, the standout in this show for me are the dialogues of the Sheriff of Nottingham. They are written with comedy and wit that in the hands of a wonderful comic actor are irresistably funny. Our Sheriff, Gary Sullivan, is just such an actor - and that they are true highlights of the show. 

Why is operetta important to you?
Operetta offers a chance to immerse ourselves in a world where all things are either pleasant or in some way laughable. While musical, it's also upbeat, blithe, folicsome, buoyant, vivacious. It affords us a chance to chuckle or even to laugh out loud.

Why should people come see this 19th century show about the 12th century in the 21st century?
This sylvan fable, enduringly popular for its merry band of criminal who steal from the rich to give to the poor, wherein the underdog is lifted up to triumph and good wins over evil, has resonance centuries later when hue and cry has raised awareness of the privileged 1%. But in the world of DeKoven’s fairy tale, the direst of circumstances is painted with a light-hearted touch – even the evil Sheriff of Nottingham is comic and the cavalcade of romantic and jaunty seems ever fresh and sincere. I can’t imagine why this operetta is not done more often.
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When you're not performing in community theatre, what do you do? (job, hobby, family, etc.)
I sing and act professionally in churches, in opera, and in plays. I work in arts management for Vocal Arts DC, a concert series of classical vocal recitals, I lecture on dramatic literature to senior adults, I teach voice lessons, accent reduction lessions and yoga and Pilates. I serve on the Board of Directors of Loudoun Lyric Opera and Shakespeare Opera Theatre. I'm a polyglot and adore speaking languages other than English. I love to get out in nature.

Thanks, Gregory!  Can you believe it's 2016 already?  Robin Hood will be opening before you know it, so get your tickets today!  Call the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre box office at 240-314-8960, or purchase your tickets online HERE.  

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