The Parchment

by Ryan Mulkay

Ryan Mulkay rehearses the role of Ian

I was first introduced to Lie with Me at its Los Angeles staged reading following its workshop with Mutineer Theatre Company. At the time I was not yet a member of the company and simply came to the show to be entertained and show support to friends. I enjoyed the play, though a bit different from the current script, and ironically was immediately drawn to the role of Ian. Later, I saw the show when the Mutineers did a full production of the play, though by this time, I was a member of the company. Again, I was a fan, so it only seems natural that I would eventually become involved in a production of the show – right? I think so.

Returning to DC to work on Lie with Me at Charter, and play with the role of Ian, has been a wonderful experience. Since the last run of the show, there have been some rewrites to the script, minor changes here and there and a bit of a tweak to my character. So although I was familiar with the show, this was going to be different – and it indeed is. I can not rely on the things that I previously thought or knew about Ian. He has changed and in my opinion (and with no disrespect to the character or the fantastic actor who has previously played him -it was brilliant) Ian is now a richer, more developed character. It has been a lot of work and a lot of fun finding the new Ian - hopefully I am on the right track.

Working with the cast has been an adventure. Every rehearsal feels like a session in the gym. Such talented actors, giving and taking (or what the cast refers to as “giving someone Ping so that they can Pong”) working hard and finding new things everyday. Again, I was familiar with this play before but have never seen these characters like this – a tribute to any good actor in my opinion.

We will be moving onto the set this week, getting closer to our first audience, and getting ready to open a Lie with Me that I am confident no one has seen before.