Friday, May 15, 2009
Cool cat has many lives in the Attic
Priscilla Richardson is columnist The Botetourt View. You can contact her at 981-3430 or via e-mail.
Priscilla Richardson
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A visit to Attic Productions’ theater turned up some gold. No, not the kind you turn into a ring, but a golden opportunity for you to meet Carl Bridgman. It all started out as simply going to see the Attic Raggle Taggle Players put on their annual children’s production. Sponsored by the Bank of Botetourt, they take it around to the schools so about 800 young children get exposed to their upbeat message.
This year the message was "I Think I Can!" The plot showed how Becky Watkins (as played by Freda Wood) had a fear of speaking in front of her class and how she overcame it. For adults, however, the antics of the players shone. You just haven’t laughed until you’ve seen Dan Naff, executive director of the Botetourt Chamber of Commerce, clown around with Marsha Campbell, in a wig festooned with pink curlers, and Carl Bridgman, dressed in orange overalls. Musicians Terry Vaughn and John Barton assisted. Bridgman played the Professor, a very wise cat, who directed the shenanigans, sometimes from atop a ladder.
This cat in real life turns out to be one of these amateur players who dedicate their lives to theater. "I’ve been in at least 50 plays from school onward," he said. But acting isn’t even his main talent: that’s music. After college and seminary, he was ordained to the music ministry at the First Baptist Church of Coco, Fla.
He served 24 years as the minister of music for the Oakland Baptist Church in Roanoke. Most recently, he’s been working as the music minister at Fincastle Baptist. "I’m still there now, part time. I fill in when they need me." This is from a man who says he’s "officially retired."
A minister of music, he explained, directs all of a church’s choirs, adult as well as children’s. He works with soloists or duos or trios and sees that they’re all rehearsed. And conducts all the music presentations at a church. Right now, the offerings could be mixtures of old hymns, up to date praise music, or country gospel.
One thing he doesn’t do for churches he serves is play the piano or organ, except as a substitute. Two years ago he used his expertise to direct the Botetourt County Chorus in a presentation of gospel music and anthems.
You may have seen Bridgman playing the lead role of Tevya in "Fiddler on the Roof" in an Attic production, among many. He’s been with Attic since Geraldine Lawson started it. "I’ve done something with nearly every play." Then showcasing his creative talent, he wrote the music for Lawson’s final epic play, "From Sea to Shining Sea." In addition, he played both Thomas Jefferson and an Indian in that production.
In common with many good actors, he also directs. One of his great successes in directing, "The God Committee," still stands as a highly memorable Attic production. He currently is filling the parts for "Nunsense," an interactive comedy about a group of nuns who don’t have the funds to bury four of their sisters. So they keep them in the deep freeze while they raise the money.
Composer, director, actor, and singer Bridgman gets an assist from his wife of 46 years, Vinnie. She applies his makeup and takes it off, works backstage, and makes costumes. When he directs, she writes down his ideas so he doesn’t forget them. They were high school sweethearts in Miami, and have raised a family of four, two of whom live in Botetourt.
So don’t just watch TV. Come to Attic to see the real thing, live and lively.
Showing soon, "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs," a drama, will start May 28 and end June 6. The run for "Nunsense" will start July 30 and go through August 15. For more information, go to www.atticproductions.info or call 540-473-1001.
