#lathtr

Please introduce yourself! What is your role in Pericles?

My name is Alex Parker, and I am the lead producer on Pericles. I have been producing for The Porters since 2010, and have an undeniable fondness for the romances; the last play I headed the production side for was The Winter's Tale in 2014.

Summarize the play in twenty-five words or less! 25 exactly.

Pericles isn't into incest, so he splits--then wrecks his shit (but wins a heart, AND A BABY!) Another storm!? No no NO ...wait... YES!

Give us some of your history with Shakespeare. Have you worked on his late plays?

The latest of Bill's works I've worked on is The Winter's Tale, though I've done quite a bit of personal work on The Tempest (my favorite romance). I played Malcolm in The Scottish Play in an outdoor, touring summer production in Wyoming shortly after college before moving back to Los Angeles. In 2009 I was cast as Laertes in The Porters' Hamlet, and I've been exploring Shakespeare's work alongside them ever since. Favorite roles include Troilus, Edmund, Lieutenant Cassio, and The Dauphin; playing the swing/understudy for a different role every weekend in Timon of Athens was also one hell of a learning experience.

Pericles concerns itself with strangers in a strange land, with journeys and finding home. What is your heritage? When did your family come to this country?

I'm a mutt, like many; my great grandparents on my mother's side came over from Europe (they were European mutts, you see), and my dad's parents came over from Greece in the 50s (I believe). In my childhood, we moved several times: from Los Angeles we went seeking something small in Arkansas, only to have life force us back towards a city, which brought us to Denver; once we were done with city-life again, we downsized our town size for Salmon, ID where I attended high school and discovered Shakespeare (personally; others knew of him, already). College, and a very fun year of touring states west of The Mississippi, then I came back to LA, where I reacquainted myself with the city that I came from, and finally understood something I struggled with in my youth: pride for where you come from.

What does this play speak to now that’s personally relevant to you?

I hate the news. And it is interesting to see the occasional 'every man for himself' struggle that appears in some of these scenes. This play is incredibly expansive, and I think if I could just put it very simply, it says that shit. happens. A lot. I think we've all been hit by a storm or two.

What is your favorite quote from the play?

Why, man?

Where can people learn more about you and what you’re doing? ActorAlexParker.com PaperBallPictures.com PortersofHellsgate.com

After seeing Lady Liberty we re-boarded the ferry for a short ride to ELLIS ISLAND, the restored immigration depot through which 17,000,000 people passed between 1892 and 1954.

We had some students who had ancestors come through Ellis Island so it was a real treat for them to get to look up their family history. Definitely want to spend more time on my next visit. So much to see!

After Ellis Island we boarded the ferry back to Battery Park and then walked to Zucotti Park where we had lunch. Everyone had a something different....from Pizza, to sandwhiches and of course cheesecake.

We then walked to The National September 11 Memorial where we took time to remember those who died during the tragic events of that day & gaze upon the Survior Pear Tree which still grows strong.

Before heading to the ONE WORLD OBSERVATORY our awesome Tour Guide Penny found Anne Frank's famous chestnut tree!

We had dinner at Virgils Real BBQ and man was it delicious! We had pulled pork, chicken, cornbread, mac & cheese, homemade apple pie AND homemade whipped cream!! It was amazing.

Then we walked to the Schoenfeld Theatre to watch our second show Come From Away; Come from Away is a Canadian musical with book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. It is set in the week following the September 11 attacks and tells the true story of what transpired when 38 planes were ordered to land unexpectedly in the small town of Gander in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, as part of Operation Yellow Ribbon. The characters in the musical are based on (and in most cases share the names of) real Gander residents as well as some of the 7,000 stranded travelers they housed and fed.

A powerful, moving story that kept our attention the entire time. To top it off as the students were getting autographs the REAL Beverly Bass was there watching the show!! Beverly was the first female pilot for American Airlines and who was a big part of this story. Incredible night. Ahh if only we could watch the show again!!