Now playing at the John Drew Theater at Guild Hall is the award winning play Equus starring Alec Baldwin and Sam Underwood. If you are not familiar with the production, the premise revolves around psychiatrist Martin Dysart (played by Baldwin) and his treatment of a 17-year-old boy, Alan Strang (Underwood). The young man commits a most gruesome and unusual crime and it is left to Dr. Dysart to get to the bottom of what drove him to it. It is most definitely a thought-provoking piece which includes themes of religion, passion, societal norms and expectation, and sexuality. Equus was written by Peter Shaffer in 1973 after he heard a story from a friend of a crime committed in England. The mention was brief but it stuck with Shaffer enough that he began to imagine what could have motivated a young man to do something so heinous, and it propelled him to create a fictional story around the act. The story and themes are compelling and the acting is truly magnificent. It is undoubtedly a worthwhile way to spend an evening in the Hamptons.
I was lucky to be able to spend some time talking with British actor Sam Underwood, described by Guild Hall Communications Director, Barbara Jo Howard, as a rising star. After seeing him in the very first preview performance, I have no doubt she is right. The role of Alan is demanding and it is clear that is takes a special aptitude. Not only is the young Underwood (he is 22) a great talent but, after speaking with him, it is clear that he is a genuine nice guy and extremely engaging.
The story behind Underwood getting this role is actually a rather unique and interesting one. He was doing the play Candida in New York with director Tony Walton. After rehearsal one day they were sharing a cab with Walton on his way to meet Alec Baldwin to discuss a summer production. On the ride Underwood expressed that it had been his dream to play Alan in Equus. The play that Walton and Baldwin had originally planned on doing fell through and, coincidentally, in their meeting, Baldwin mentioned a role he had always coveted was that of Martin Dysart. Walton remarked that doing Equus would be impossible without someone brilliant to play the role of Alan. The next day Tony Walton had a playwright friend sit in on the Candida rehearsal. That friend was, of course, Peter Shaffer, and to Underwood’s surprise he was immediately offered the part.
Why is playing Alan Strang so special to him? Well, there are several reasons. One is the challenge; something this role most definitely is. Underwood describes the part as "a wonderful exploration of belief and passion." In addition, when he was just 13 he got to see a friend in the role and the whole experience seemed "so exciting and like great fun." Another prominent draw is the language Shaffer uses. "It is not often that a young actor gets to work with such wonderful language in a contemporary piece," he says. In fact, a special bonus of this particular experience is the involvement of the playwright himself. Peter Shaffer has actually been sitting in on rehearsals and providing script revisions where appropriate.
There is no doubt that Underwood is surrounded by great talent. He describes Alec Baldwin as "an absolute joy. He is an incredibly smart person to work with on stage and off." The seriousness of the piece is obvious and as Underwood puts it, Baldwin helps to bring some welcome levity to the process off stage. And then there is director Tony Walton; a man with a list of awards and accolades that could take up the rest of this article. Having worked together before, there is a definite trust and understanding between the two. Underwood refers to Walton as "one of the last true British gents of the theater."
When Sam Underwood is not performing he is very busy in New York as the co-founder and artistic director of The Fundamental Theater Project. The company focuses on giving new actors, playwrights and aspiring directors a place to work, enjoy, and develop their craft in an industry that is traditionally littered with rejection. The objective is to produce high quality theatre without spending millions of dollars. "You don’t have to spend tons of money to produce great theater. So much of great theater is done with the voice, the body, and the telling of terrific stories," says Underwood. His partner in the company is from Ireland so another goal is to make it a transatlantic venture. "We want to go back to London and Ireland to offer people the opportunity to work in a different culture like we have." This is something that Underwood feels makes one a more well-rounded actor and individual. He has also taken to writing his own plays recently and would love to submit one of his pieces to The Fundamental Theater Project to be performed.
As a busy New York City resident the actor is loving his time out in East Hampton (this is his first time on the East End). It has provided a nice balance with a very intense theater experience. He recalled for me his favorite moment so far (with the exception, I assume, of the standing ovation he and his cast mates received at the preview) which was relaxing in the hammock by the pool, while reading a play and watching his dog run around the yard. He has also quite enjoyed the seafood and is especially looking forward to his mother’s visit, which is when he intends on making the rounds and doing some exploring.
If you don’t already have tickets to Equus, do yourself a favor and get them. You won’t want to miss this rare opportunity to see a production of this caliber in a uniquely intimate venue. Sam Underwood is certainly one to watch and you will be able to say you "saw him when."
