Veteran Warwick actor lands OSTC role

Don Fowler
Posted 7/9/14

Warwick resident Brian Mulvey has been involved in the theatre since he first played the role of Henry in his high school production of “The Music Man” back in 1969. Mulvey recently retired from …

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Veteran Warwick actor lands OSTC role

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Warwick resident Brian Mulvey has been involved in the theatre since he first played the role of Henry in his high school production of “The Music Man” back in 1969. Mulvey recently retired from teaching after 27 years and for the first time in his adult life can rehearse during the day.

“I’ve been involved in community theatre all of my adult life,” Mulvey said. “I would leave the classroom and spend many evenings directing plays, acting, building sets, and even serving as president of the Community Players.”

Now he is retired and can fit in daytime rehearsals.

“I auditioned for the role of Arvide Abernathy in ‘Guys and Dolls’ at Ocean State Theatre and got the part,” he said. “It is my first role, after all these years, with a professional theatre.”

Brian noted the major differences between community and professional theatre.

“We all have day jobs in community theatre. We come together evenings to rehearse, and we have more time to prepare,” he said. “At Ocean State Theatre we are putting together a show in a shorter period of time with more intense rehearsals. And I’m learning so much from the professionals. It is also nice having real dressing rooms and a functional stage.”

Mulvey’s no stranger to the hard work and dedication to the theatre. He incorporated theatre into his teaching career and has directed and starred in a number of productions at Community Players and the former City Nights Theatre in Pawtucket.

“I met my wife back in 1985 when we were both in ‘Company’ at Community Players,” he said.

Mulvey’s wife, Erika Koch, is also a veteran of Rhode Island community theatre, having starred in and directed a number of plays. She is currently scheduled to direct “Sly Fox” at CP.

“I’ll probably audition, but there are no guarantees (I’ll get the part). She’s tough!”

You can catch Brian Mulvey and Rhode Island comedian Frank O’Donnell, both making their professional theatre debut in “Guys and Dolls” (Frank plays Big Louie), at Ocean State Theatre Company July 9-27. Call 921-6800 for reservations.

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