So I was wondering what I was going to write my column about this week and was chatting with some actress friends of mine about the state of modern theater. They lamented about there not being a lot of great roles for woman that don't involve being a vixen, hooker, nun, school teacher, mom or crazy girlfriend. I made some pithy quip about theater reflecting life, and they gave me their flirty death glares they have mastered over the years I've known them.

After our witty banter, I mentioned plays with pets and children. And they mentioned their experience working with animals.



We talked about real animals on stage, and then stuffed animals as props to illustrate the idea of animals — and then onto people in costumes playing animals.



Although not an "animal" in the traditional sense, the best illustration of a man in a suit successfully playing an animal was Jason Haws as John Merrick in Harlequin Production's staging of Elephant Man. He was nothing shy of amazing, absolutely brilliant and downright remarkable.



The way Haws contorted his body to bring to life the true story of a disfigured man was complete, believable and spell binding. I would love to have been in attendance at the talk back show of that production, or grill him over beers about how he developed his acting talent in that role. Anyone who missed that show will forever lack a little bit of theater perfection that will never be otherwise filled. It was truly remarkable.

What made it work was not a costume or makeup, but Haws’ nuanced steps and slurred speak that created a vision in the theatergoer's minds. It went well beyond what theater trickery could have created.

Brilliant.

That is where good theater becomes great art.