Actor’s real-life lot: Married to the Bob

Actor’s real-life lot: Married to the Bob

SARA GETTYS
Real-life couple Laurie Dawn and Buzz Roddy play lovers having an affair in the comedy "How the Other Half Loves," which opens tonight at the New Century Theatre in Northampton.

By BONNIE OBREMSKI

Thursday, July 17, 2003 -- NORTHAMPTON - Offstage, Buzz Roddy and Laurie Dawn are a married couple. Onstage, they are lovers engaged in a scandalous affair in the British farce "How The Other Half Loves," which opens tonight as the third production this summer of the New Century Theatre.

"How The Other Half Loves" revolves around Fiona, a married, society woman, and her romantic involvement with Bob, a married, working man.

"Fiona sees Bob as naughty and dirty," said Dawn.

"My guy is a pig," said Roddy, nodding. Not much disagreement there.

Roddy and Dawn, both of New York City, met 10 years ago while performing together in Germany. They married two years ago. They are working with New Century Theatre for the summer and have been rehearsing and living at the Martha Wilson House at Smith College.

"I kiss my husband goodnight after rehearsal and go back to my dorm room," Dawn said with a laugh.

The relationship the couple shares onstage is slightly less platonic. When asked to name the attraction between Fiona and Bob, Roddy replied, "Steamy, wanton sex."

The couple does not usually perform together. But Roddy decided to turn another show down in order to work with his spouse. "It's kind of nice," he said, "I turn off the fact that Laurie is my wife."

"Because we're working," Dawn said.

Their approaches to acting vary.

"I like to do the 'back story' when I'm in a show," said Dawn. She imagines, for example, that Fiona met Bob at an office party, even though the script does not include that detail.

Roddy prefers to read the story as is. "I just want to be funny," he said.

Roddy is confident that the director, Jack Neary, cast the show well. "Some people can be funny on their own but not funny together," said Roddy, "But Jack's found the right alchemy."

"How The Other Half Loves" will be performed tonight through July 27 at Northampton High School, the company's temporary home. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. except on Sundays, when they are at 3 p.m. There is no show on Monday.

Tickets are $20, or $18 for seniors. There is a $2 discount tonight. Call the box office at 587-3933.

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