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| Jim Moll as John (seated) is fighting a battle that inspires the women of Calendar Girls |
Jim Moll is used to being the
center of attention onstage. His grand stature, booming voice, and larger than
life personality make Jim hard to miss.
The former principal knows how to command attention and respect. He often portrays over-the-top characters
like Roger DeBris in The Producers
and Big Julie in Guys & Dolls,
and he’s even played God onstage. But in
the Farmington Player's production of Calendar
Girls, Jim is fine with giving the ladies the limelight.
Jim plays John
Clarke, the husband one of the “Girls.” Jim describes his character as “a
wonderful guy who provides motivation for the women of the WI to take their
clothes off.” Without giving too much
away, the women’s calendar is a fundraiser to fight cancer, which afflicts John
in the play. Jim says that Calendar Girls’ “reminder that cancer is
an insidious disease that needs to be fought hits home for me. The underlying
theme of fighting cancer is one that many will have experienced.”
Jim
notes that other themes of the show include “recognizing the potential that ‘middle-aged’
women have, often not validated, to be empowered to confidently affect change
and be seen as people who can exert themselves in society. Given our political climate right now, these
ideas are especially important.” While these
ideas are important, most patrons will probably be wondering, “Yes, but what
about the nudity?” Jim assures audiences
that the “nudity is really very tame and is handled thoughtfully and with
care. Having been on the Barn stage as a
member of The Full Monty cast that
bares it all in a much more raucous manner, I can relate to the feelings this
provokes among my current cast mates. They're handling it well, and our
directors are ensuring that nobody will feel exploited or ... overexposed.”
Jim is glad to be playing a supporting role to these bold
and empowered women, and he knows audiences “will love seeing the relationships
between the characters and will be able to relate to their situation. And, the
cast is made up of fun and energetic actors who are fearlessly portraying their
characters.”
