A bond begins with `Farce'; Actor finds home with local theater.

Byline: Richard Duckett

COLUMN: Stage Lights

Walter Schumacher has been working on an English accent for his role in the upcoming Worcester County Light Opera Company production of Alan Ayckbourn's comedy "Bedroom Farce."

"We're trying," he said of himself and the rest of the cast as they try to put the plummy into their plum roles.

As for a New England accent, that, too, will come with time.

Schumacher, 62, was born in and raised in Queens, N.Y., and moved to Rutland from New York City five years ago. He soon began to investigate the community theater scene in Central Massachusetts and has been making an impression as an actor and director.

"I was fortuitous to find a wealth of theater," said Schumacher, who had been acting in shows most of his life.

In "Bedroom Farce," which opens Sept. 28, he and Linda Oroszko play the eldest of the couples whose bedrooms come into play. Despite the English playwright's title, Ayckbourn's comedy is not about trousers dropping and doors slamming. Instead, the play has "a gentle absurdity," Schumacher said.

"It's three couples in three bedrooms in three separate homes," he said. His character, Ernest, is "eccentric." What else in an English comedy?

Schumacher is making his debut with the Worcester County Light Opera Company, and has found another set of friends to go with ones he has made at theater groups such as Calliope Productions, the Barre Players and Central Mass. Onstage.

Back in New York, his day job was in the motion picture distribution business, which he worked in for 35 years. Getting into that business can be a case of who you know, he said, and in Schumacher's case it helped that his father-in-law from his first marriage was a movie producer (whose credits included "Friday the 13th.")

He said he had been acting since high school, but did not really entertain any thoughts of a professional career as an actor. "I got married right after high school," he said. "I had to support my family from an early age."

Still, there is plenty of community theater in New York. "There's a tremendous amount, especially in the outskirts. I enjoyed the community aspect of it." And he studied acting several years with drama coach Zara Shakow.

But he and his current wife decided to move to a new community to get out of the New York "milieu." Plus, his wife has family here. Shumacher now works in computer repair and maintenance.

With regard to the community theater scene in Central Massachusetts, "I was surprised when I came up here and saw how alive it was," he said.

Checking out the newspapers and going online to find information about upcoming productions he first auditioned with Central Mass. Onstage. He landed a small part in the musical "Here's Love."

"That was fine. It was a nice break into the area," he said.

He's been particularly busy with Calliope Productions of Boylston, where artistic director Dave Ludt has helped Schumacher break into directing.

"I really enjoy directing," he said. "I enjoy the organization, the operation, the overall logistics."

So look for more Schumacher directorial credits in the future. Meanwhile, his first time acting with WCLOC has been positive. "They seem to be nice people," he said.

And that's what community theater can be all about whether in Queens or Worcester.

"You meet a lot of people and it's an instant family for six weeks," Schumacher said. "And hopefully, you'll create an association that will last a lot longer than that."

"Bedroom Farce" will be performed at the WCLOC Clubhouse, 21 Grandview Ave., Worcester, at 8 p.m. Sept. 28, 29, Oct. 5 and Oct. 6; and 2 p.m. Sept. 30 and Oct. 7. Tickets are $16. For more information visit www.wcloc.com or call [phone].

The Westborough Players Club was founded in December 1936, out of a meeting put on by the Dramatics Committee of the Westboro Women's Club. It's first production, held at the Town Hall in the fall of 1937, was "The Late Christopher Bean."

In 1981, a special meeting had to be called when it seemed as if the club wouldn't be putting on a production because of some people feeling that there was a lack of overall involvement. But the meeting served to rejuvenate all the members, and the show did indeed go on. The club has never failed to produce at least one offering a year in all its 70 years.

To celebrate its 70 years on stage, the Westborough Players Club will hold an anniversary gala beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Indian Meadows Country Club, Westboro. The club is seeking past members to be included on its invitation list. If you have appeared on stage, worked backstage with the Players, or would like to join in on the grand reunion, contact Diane Barrett at [phone]. Tickets are $20 which includes dinner, dancing and entertainment. To reserve a ticket online or for more information, visit the club's Web site at www.westboroughplayers.com.

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: Schumacher