Our run of Ray Cooney's It Runs in the Family brings with it the welcome return of one of ACT I's most favorite actors, Jim Hilliard, in the role of the kind hearted, somewhat bumbling, and easily excitable Dr. Hubert Bonney. Jim, who is never absent too long from our stage, last appeared with us as Clyde Miller in Life with Mother.  Jim has been with us for seventeen great years, beginning in 1985 with the role of the Reverend Arthur Humphery in our production of See How They Run.

In a program bio from one of his very early ACT I roles, Jim commented "I find this all most amusing."  We're glad he did, and that he kept coming back, because during the intervening years Jim has been a very valuable member for a great variety of contributions to us, both onstage and off.

Following his debut, Jim has been seen as Mr. Paravacini in The Mousetrap, H. C. Curry in The Rainmaker; Duncan Latimer in Take a Number, Darling; Henry Benish in Play On, Bozo in Cheating Cheaters, Jack in Dancers, Lou in Twigs, Hal Brown in Knock 'Em Dead, the dual roles of Winthrop Allen and Francis X. Nella in our second production of The Girls in 509, (in that show he played the national chairmen of both the Republican and Democratic parties without so much as changing his tie) and Bob in Marvin's Room, followed by Life with Mother and then our current show.  Jim has made many other contributions to ACT I as well, serving as Stage Manager to such shows as our first run of The Girls in 509 as well as In 25 Words or Death, and The Odd Couple.  He has also served in a variety of other backstage roles through the years and is a past member of our board of directors.  Jim also made a major contribution to ACT I during the Palace Theatre project by serving as a fundraiser and as a part of our steering committee, and has served as a member of the Palace Board to Trustees from the beginning.

Although most noted for comic roles, Jim made a striking impression as a dramatic actor in our 1992 production of Dancers, directed by our current director, Nancy Beckman.  Jim is pictured here with the late Elisabeth Young.

Jim is an actor who doesn't limit himself to ACT I, has performed with Starlighters II in Anamosa as well as The Marion Fine Arts Council.  It was there, over a dozen years ago, that he appeared in a production of See How They Run (in the role he'd already played with ACT I) with a seven year old local actor no one had yet heard of, who has since gone on to somewhat bigger and better things -- Elijah Wood.

Jim is pictured here with Nancy Beckman in our 1987 production of The Rainmaker.

Jim and his wife Elaine are longtime residents of Vinton.  They have two adult children, Diane Kilberger and Mark Hilliard.  They also have two grandchildren, Jared and Griffin Kilberger.

Jim would like to say that "Being involved in ACT I has always been great fun for me.  I am grateful for what this group of dedicated people have been able to offer to the citizens of the area.  It's amazing to recall where ACT I started, where it has come, and what lies in the future.  My personal thanks to all who support this theatre's efforts." 

In a show that features a father and son, Jim is joined in the cast of It Runs in the Family by not his son, but by his son-in-law, Greg Kilberger.  Greg, who lives in Iowa City, is back for his fourth role with us, having previously appeared in major roles in our productions of Knock 'Em Dead, The Girls in 509, and Marvin's Room, all of which also featured Jim.  Before, however, Greg has always played a character younger than Jim -- this time, as the comical wheel chair bound Bill in our current production, Greg plays the oldest character in the show.

Jim Hilliard (left) and his son-in-law Greg Kilberger take a break during a recent rehearsal of It Runs in the Family at the ACT I Studio.

Greg would like to add that "invention is the mother of necessity -- an odd statement from an odd chap.  Mostly harmless, though."  (Editor's note:  If you know Greg, you will understand this statement.  Perhaps.)

Long time ACT I member Jim Hilliard and his son-in-law Greg Kilberger have given ACT I audiences many delightful and carefully studied performances, and you will be rolling in the aisles by both of their performances in our upcoming It Runs in the Family.  We thank them for their years of support and hope that they will be with us for many more wonderful performances!

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