Interview with Rebekah Sword from "A Catered Affair"

   Tonight you can catch the musical A Catered Affair in Huntington, as ARTS presents a special Thursday performance! 

   Here’s another interview with the cast, this time with the lovely and talented Rebekah Sword.

Q. Tell us about the musical A Catered Affair.

Rebekah: A Catered Affair is a poignant piece looking at realistic circumstances between characters who truly feel like real people. It’s about relationships, different perspectives, and love – both young and experienced.

Q. What roles do you play?

Rebekah: I play Pasha, one of the nosy neighbors, as well as Mrs. Halloran, the groom’s mother. 

Q. What's your favorite song (or scene) in the show?

Rebekah: My favorite scene I’m invoiced in in the show is the dinner scene when the bride and groom’s families meet for the first time. The Hurleys are staunchly middle-class people, while the Hallorans have money and certainly like to make everyone aware of that fact.  Things are going along as well as can be expected until the bride’s drunk uncle makes an appearance and is hysterical as he causes a scene, stirs the pot, and will certainly give the audience a lot of laughs.  #TeamWinston

   My favorite scene to watch in the show is when the father of the bride, Tom Hurley, finally loses his temper and reacts to some very hurtful statements from his wife. James Holley shows the emotional range – from loud and angry to a quiet hurt – needed for this scene. Rachel Sanford says so much without saying a single word. This scene has made me cry since our first read-through. 

Q. What's been the most challenging aspect about the show?

Rebekah: Trying out the Bronx accent has been challenging for me. It’s not something that I had ever done before and when we started I honestly had no idea what I needed to do. I tried watching old episodes of The Nanny in order to get an idea of the accent. A Queens accent is closer than real my “Out Wayne” accent.

Q. What makes this show fun?

Rebekah: Having the chance to work with a wonderful director like Bil Neal.  I’ve never had someone pay as close attention to detail.  His effort in imagining back stories for his minor characters requires the actors to be just as diligent. He also gives, even the smaller roles, time to play with what they’ve been given. I have always kind of relied on my singing voice and coasted through, if I’m being honest. I haven’t had a lot of experience playing realistic characters who needed to feel real. I have certainly learned a great deal from him. 

   Another fun aspect is playing one of the gossipy neighbors and being able to play off such wonderful actors. It is a lot of fun to just gab and snipe with the girls. 

Q. Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Rebekah: For several reasons. The cast works well together to bring these characters to life.  There are funny moments. The show has some truly gorgeous songs. For me, however, it’s the realism. These are everyday, ordinary people that I relate to. They aren’t larger than life. They’re the family down the street. They’re the people next door. It has hopeful young love just starting out. It has an older relationship in which the people have begun to take one another for granted.  They’ve forgotten how to listen to one another – to tell one another how the really feel. It is easy enough to do when you get caught up in your job, and keeping house, and raising kids. I think that it’s a play that has a moral for all couples – never stop saying ‘I love you.’

Q: Thanks, Rebekah!

A Catered Affair - ARTS presents the musical on Aug. 17, 18 and 19 at the Renaissance Theatre Ballroom at 900 8th Street in Huntington. General Admission is $15 show only and $30 for dinner and show. You must reserve reservations for dinner by calling 304-733-2787. The dinner menu for this show is: fresh kale lemon salad, baked steak with mushroom gravy, rice pilaf, apricot glazed carrots, and three tier wedding cake for dessert.