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"The Nerd" is playing at Totem Pole Playhouse May 29-June 14. The comedy stars Eric Szmanda of "CSI" fame.
(Submitted photo)
Eric Szmanda longed to be in "The Nerd."
The "CSI" star was in his teens when the local community theater in his hometown in Wisconsin decided to put on the show. Szmanda wanted a part desperately, but he was too old to play an 8 year old (the youngest character) and too young to play the lead, Willum Cubbert, who is 34.
So, instead, he recruited his younger brother to audition for the kid part.
"I coached him through all the performances and I secretly hoped I could understudy for the role of Willum," he recalled. "I was there backstage for every performance making sure my brother hit all of his marks and made all of his cues. So I've had a special spot in my heart for 'The Nerd.'"
Now, all these years later he's finally able to be in the show himself.
Szmanda is playing the part of Willum at Totem Pole Playhouse's production of "The Nerd" opening May 30.
This time, his brother will be watching him onstage.
- Check out Totem Pole Playhouse's full season (including a play featuring a "Three's Company" star)
"The Nerd" follows Willum, a young architect unsure of whether to pursue the woman he loves (and happens to be best friends with). When the man who saved Willum's life in the war (but had never met him), unexpectedly turns up at a house party all could have been well - except for the fact that the houseguest is the worst one on the planet. Comedy follows, which is decidedly different from the atmosphere of "CSI."
Szmanda found a lot in common with the character of Willum. "When I told a couple people I knew, they all said the same thing that the role of Willum is a great fit for me," he said. "I feel like Willum fits like a glove. We have a lot of character traits in common. I learned a lot about myself while doing this play."
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"One of the main story points is that Willum has a hard time saying no to people and always wants everyone to be happy and wants to help everyone without regard of what's best for him." he said. "I know that's something I've tried to work on."
Playing Willum in "The Nerd" is very different from portraying Greg Sanders on "CSI."
"In a play, it's easier to get into the character's head because the playwright has given it all to you," he said. "Every time you rehearse it you get to know a little more."
"With Greg, we discovered things about Greg on the show," he continued. "It wasn't until the fifth season of the show that we discovered he was Norwegian and we discovered later on he was also a crime novelist."
Of course, with the series officially ending, who knows what will be discovered about Greg by the series finale.
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"I have no idea what's going to happen at the end of the show," Szmanda said. "I'm excited to see what the writers come up with."
But he can't help but hope his character finds love.
"15 years of Greg pursuing other interests in the romantic world, it would be nice to see Greg with someone by the end of the run," he said. "He had a thing for Sara and Sara went for Grissom instead. Another girl ended up dead, another one ended up in jail. It would make me feel good."
To say Greg has not had good luck with women is an understatement.
"It has been fun to play, but it's also just not fair," Szmanda said. "I hope we know that Greg is just satisfied in his life outside of his job when the show ends."
DETAILS: Various times May 29-June 14 at Totem Pole Playhouse, 9555 Golf Course Road, Fayetteville. Cost: $20 (8 pm. May 29, 2 p.m. May 30), $30-$45 every other show. Totempoleplayhouse.org.