"The Zoo Story," a 1958 one-act play by Edward Albee, is a tale of two men, strangers in totally different places in life -- one a successful publishing executive and family guy, the other an isolated, depressed, and desperate man who just wants to have a meaningful conversation -- who have a tense interaction with each other at the Central Park Zoo.
In the production of "The Zoo Story" to be performed at the Clubhouse in Wainscott next week, the two actors playing Albee's characters are real-life friends with much in common, and whose conversations are often marked by both playful verbal jabs and moments of sincere, mutual admiration.
"It's a very funny piece, which is good for us, but it's not a comedy at all," said Joe Pallister, who plays the role of Peter, the wealthy publishing executive, opposite Edward W. Kassar in the role of Jerry. "Something is looming in the air. You just don't know what it is. The writing is so good, you just kind of slide along with this piece. And then -- 'oh, wow.' "
Both actors came to the profession late in life. They first met each other on the set of the Hampton Theatre Company's production of "Other People's Money" in January of 2013.
Mr. Kassar, who is a manager at the Clubhouse, focuses on theater, of which he says he is "enamored," as well as indie films on the festival circuit. "I'm in awe of actors," he said. "There's a lot of joy, and it's frustrating, but when we get to do it, the benefits outweigh the struggle, I believe."
In addition to theater, Mr. Pallister, who is also a graphic designer, has quite a few TV credits to his name, including appearances on "The Flight Attendant," "The Black List," and "Quantico." "I really love it. I've always been able to put myself in other people's shoes very easily, and even inanimate objects. It's really fun to explore and dive into things" in a script, he said.
The pair took on Peter and Jerry in a staged reading of "The Zoo Story" in December, produced by Our Fabulous Variety Show; this time around, it's a full-fledged production. The set is still minimal -- consisting of a New York City park bench, to be exact -- and it still presents the actors with the challenge of filling up the stage with their performances.
Mr. Kassar first played Jerry in a production of this play 25 years ago. "I always wanted to revisit it, not necessarily when I was older, but that's how it's played out. When you have a part you enjoy and creative people involved, it makes it that much more of a wonderful experience."
And Mr. Pallister once had the experience of auditioning in front of the playwright himself for a role in "The Goat." "I didn't get it, but it was interesting to be in the room with him," he said.
"The Zoo Story" taps into themes of isolation, inequity, miscommunication, and dehumanization in a way that manages to be darkly funny and compelling. The actors say this will resonate with the audience as much today as it did when the play was first produced in 1959 in Germany. "The same story can mean completely different things and have a very different value to whoever is listening or watching," Mr. Pallister said. "Every piece of work is like that. Walk around the Met and every painting is going to say something different to whatever experience you bring to that moment. This play really does that well."
Co-produced by Nimbus Productions and Our Fabulous Variety Show, "The Zoo Story" will be performed next Thursday, Friday, April 14, and Saturday, April 15 at 7 p.m. Tickets, which cost $18 for students and $28 for adults, are available online and at the door.
