Words by Cole Dittmer, ECU University Communications
Photos Contributed by Aaron Johnson
Anyone familiar with the climate of southeastern North Carolina could see why an outdoor theatrical performance during the summer could be difficult. Now, if that performance was on the fantail of a WWII battleship located on the Cape Fear River, there might be a few more challenges that come to mind. But for rising EC Scholars sophomore Aaron Johnson, his summer of performing “Mister Roberts” onboard the Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington — Johnson’s hometown — has been a memorable experience.
“I have always enjoyed the immersive story-telling aspect of theater, and putting on a show at a major tourist attraction in the town I grew up is honestly just a ton of fun,” Johnson said. “The cast is filled with funny, interesting Wilmington locals who are a blast to be around.”
“Mister Roberts” was originally a novel written by Thomas Heggen in 1946, and has been adapted for the theatre and film. The comedy follows the crew of the USS Reluctant towards the end of WWII. Mr. Roberts is an officer on board who wants to fight where the action is, but he is forced to stay on board the ship to shield the crew from the wrath of the harsh and unpopular captain. The most popular incarnation of the story came with the 1955 film featuring Henry Fonda, James Cagney, Jack Lemmon, and William Powell.
Johnson said he has been interested in music and theatre since his sophomore year of high school. “Mister Roberts” is his second play after performing as the Tin Man in a production of “The Wizard of Oz” in Wilmington during his junior year of high school. Now, Johnson is playing the character of Sam Dolan in “Mister Roberts,” produced by the Thalian Association Community Theatre. The play opened on the Fourth of July and has been performed every weekend until the final show on July 23.
“We perform our shows in the evening but the heat and humidity of coastal North Carolina summer often remains, leaving the cast soaked with sweat by the end of the show,” he said. “We also have had to deal with biting bugs, mic problems due to wind, and rain space relocations.”
Despite some of the environmental obstacles, Johnson said the performances have been thoroughly enjoyable. One particularly memorable moment came one night when a member of the audience influenced the flow of the play. It occurred during a scene when the characters are drunkenly returning to the ship carrying a fake goat stolen from a Rear Admiral. Just before walking through the audience to the stage with the goat, an inebriated woman jumped up and said, “Look itsaaaa doggy!”
In a moment of improvisation, Johnson said the crew played along, laughed, and began a loud argument with each other as to whether the goat was a dog or not.
As an EC Scholar and biology major on the pre-med track, Johnson said he relished the opportunity to perform on such a large stage while his schedule still allows for it.
“I'm a premed student interested in orthopedics so my schedule will soon be full of prep work for medical school,” he said. “I wanted to participate in more theater performance while I had the chance, especially with the most iconic theater company in Wilmington.”
The last performances of “Mister Roberts” will be at 8 p.m. every evening July 20-23 on the Battleship North Carolina, located on the Cape Fear River across from downtown Wilmington. For tickets and information, visit www.thalian.org
Credits:
Photos Contributed by Aaron Johnson