Pryor Commitments

One of Philly's busiest actor-directors plans his next breakthrough.

by David Anthony Fox

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Published: May 16, 2007

Nothing like a breakthrough moment. For Philadelphia theater-goers and critics, one happened recently for Peter Pryor. We loved the guy, an accomplished actor and asset to the community, but we thought of him mostly in lighter plays, especially comedy. Lo and behold, last year brought Pryor as Shakespeare's Richard III � a performance of astounding intensity, scariness and, yes, humor. Now we recognize Pryor as an actor � and a director � of depth and versatility. Coming up, he'll direct Itamar Moses' The Four of Us, receiving its East Coast premiere at 1812 Productions, a theater that Pryor helped create with his friend (and fellow Philly actor) Jen Childs.

FOUR HORSEMAN: Pete Pryor is directing the East Coast premiere of Itamar Moses' The Four of Us, at 1812 Productions, which he co-founded with another Philly actor, Jen Childs. : Michael T. Regan (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

City Paper: In programs, I see you billed about half the time as "Peter" and half as "Pete." Which one is it?

Peter Pryor: [Laughing] My parents called me Peter. People who are angry call me Peter. When they're really angry, they call me Jenny.

CP: What should I call you?

PP: Pete.

CP: Talk about your success with Richard.

PP: It was incredible � and a stroke of luck. I don't think it's a role people would normally see me for. Charles [McMahon, the director] had originally cast Tony Lawton, but he had another job. I hadn't done a lot of Shakespeare, and most of it was in college. But I got a lot of help from Charles, and from [actor and UArts professor] David Howey � and of course, the material is so great. You get to form a direct relationship with the audience.

CP: Did people say you reminded them of Hannibal Lecter?

PP: Yes. Millie Hiibel's costumes were part of that � leather and metal. And then there was the hump. We worked with that a lot. At first I looked like Uncle Fester.

CP: Have things changed for you since Richard?

PP: Maybe I get a little more face time with prospective directors than before. But I don't feel different. I'm still going after good work and good roles.

CP: And you direct, as well. Say something about your current project The Four of Us.

PP: I met Itamar [Moses, the playwright] when I worked on his play, Outrage. I bugged him about doing one of his plays, and he's letting us give the East Coast premiere. It's a great piece, about a friendship, and how it changes over time, especially how success can affect things. I'm working with two incredible actors: Jeb Kreager and Matt Pfeiffer � and we're all friends, which helps.

CP: Itamar Moses is a very hot playwright now.

PP: He's an amazing writer. Each of his plays is very different from one another, each is its own creation, but he can capture an essence.

CP: It must be nice for you to work at 1812.

PP:

1812 is a great success story, and I'm so happy about it. It started from a friendship, Jen's and mine. It's really Jen's company, but I have a great gig as a featured artist. Now all we need is a permanent theater.

CP: Did you ever do the New York thing?

PP: Briefly, and it was the stupidest move ever. We lived just outside the Holland Tunnel and, since it was around the time when 1812 got started, I spent most of my time commuting back and forth to Philly. It didn't take long to realize we should move back. We did it in stages, though � first Levittown, and finally King of Prussia, where we live now.

CP: What else is on the horizon?

PP: Humble Boy at People's Light. It's a great part, and I love working at that theater. I'm not a member of the ensemble, but I've worked there a lot, and they are fantastic to me. Next season, I'm doing Amadeus at the Wilma. I'm one of the Little Whisperers. And Iago, back at the Lantern.

CP: And you're also doing some teaching, yes?

PP: At the Pathway School in Norristown. It's an amazing school � for children out of the educational mainstream. My son has autism, and I discovered Pathway when I was doing some research. I just fell in love with the program. So now I'm the drama guy there.

CP: You're writing a new piece also?

PP: It's called Beautiful Boy, and it's a father's perspective on how a family deals with autism. It will be part of the New Development Series at 1812.

CP: Sounds like a busy life. So, do you prefer comedy or drama?

PP: Good work, whatever it is.

CP: Plays you'd like to direct?

PP: Itamar's Bach at Leipzig. Also Martin McDonagh's Lieutenant of Inishmore.

CP: And a dream acting role?

PP: It used to be Hamlet, but Richard III did just fine.

(d_fox@citypaper.net)

The Four of Us, by 1812 Productions at St. Stephen's Theatre, May 18-June 17. For more information, call 215-592-9560.

 

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