By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
BELHAVEN — Two new faces have joined the ranks of the Way Off Broadway Players and are among the cast members of “The Amorous Ambassador,” which opens this week.
The Belhaven-based community theater troupe will stage its latest comedy Thursday through Saturday beginning at 8 p.m. in The Theatre, the former Sears building beside EEii’s.
Sam Putnam and Aaron Stevens are featured in their first community theater production.
Putnam is cast as CIA operative Capt. South in the comedy. He became involved in the Way Off Broadway Players because his wife, Vicky, has appeared in several of the group’s productions. He joined the cast at the urging of the show’s director, George Wahab.
“I did ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ when I was in high school, but that was a long time ago,” Putnam said. “George had asked me to be in a play before and I did lighting for one of them. He’s a nice guy.”
Putnam said the play is entertaining, and even he has to struggle sometimes to stay in character and try not to laugh on stage.
“The scene that always cracks me up is when Faye is being so dumb, the part about her having a seance to contact her brain,” Putnam said.
Putnam added that he has to stay on his toes to keep up with the more experienced members of the theater troupe.
“I’m nervous about remembering my lines, and there’s a lot of timing stuff that has to happen,” he said.
Like Putnam, Stevens was recruited for the show. A 2001 graduate of Northside High School, he spent six years on active duty with the Air Force and three years in the reserves.
“Mr. Wahab was my English teacher in high school and his wife, Mary Ellen, is my coworker,” Stevens said. “This is my first play.”
Since he goes undercover as a female during several scenes, it’s almost like playing two roles, he added. He recommends “The Amorous Ambassador” to those who like comedy shows, and he wants to become a regular member of the troupe.
“This play is funny,” Stevens said. “I’m telling all my friends about it. You’ll have a good time.”
Way Off Broadway veterans appearing in the new show are Jake Dillon (Perkins), Vicky Putnam (Debbie Douglas), Lloyd Ballance (Harry Douglas), Hannah Byrd (Lois Douglas), Tracie Bowen (Marian Murdoch) and Mary Wahab (Faye Baker).
Along with George Wahab as director, members of the crew include lighting technician Hollis Brooks and prompter Dean Armstrong.
“The play revolves around an American ambassador to England,” Wahab said. “Unusual things begin to happen with the butler, the sexy lady neighbor, the CIA operative, the secretary, the boyfriend and the family. Confusion abounds, and everything does not necessarily end as one would hope.”
The show includes a bomb threat, a glued hand, a man dressed as a woman, a sex-crazed man, a bumbler and fumbler, a sleepwalker, a giant moth, a travel agent and a spy.
“The Amorous Ambassador” was written by Michael Parker, who penned several comedies previously performed by the Players, according to Wahab.
“His plays are wild, crazy, frenetic, slap-stick and hilarious,” Wahab said. “The audience will not leave the theater sad.”
Seating is limited for the shows, so reservations are recommended. Call 252-943-3796 for more information.