Reprinted from the February, 2004  issue of Grease Paint Online

By Aaron Murphy

With our Reader's Theatre production of Love Letters having taken place earlier this month, we take this opportunity to feature one of the cast members of that show, Rick Murphy, as Member of the Month for February!  This article was written by another ACT I regular, Rick's son Aaron.

Relative ACT I newcomer Rick Murphy has become a very special member with our theatre in the past 3 years. His debut role as Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady took ACT 1 by storm, and he has just finished his latest role in Love Letters, our Valentine's Day Readers Theatre.

Rick enjoys a busy life, working in Cedar Rapids at Berthel Fisher Company as Vice-President of Business Development where he has been for almost ten years. When not working, Rick is at home with his truly supportive wife, Paula, and youngest son, Ben, a sophomore at Washington High School in Vinton. He also has a daughter, Brooke, who currently lives in Cedar Rapids with her fiancee, and another son, Aaron, a sophomore studying theatre and dance at Millikin University in Illinois.

Although Rick has never performed theatre until ACT 1, he appears as a complete natural. He says it was his son, Aaron, who made him decide to throw his hat in the ring and audition. "I had always wanted to try acting, and modesty has never been my strong suit. I just didn't know I would get such a large role on my first try!" Aaron and Rick shared the stage for the first time together, and had a wonderful time doing so. Since his debut, Rick became a strong frontman in many shows, doing three productions in two seasons. His attitude toward the theatre is positive, but the theatre is also a scary place, and he has his fears of the stage. "Acting in live theatre is more than scary, it is absolutely terrifying. Forgetting your lines, or your fellow actors forgetting their lines and having to improvise something on the spot is extremely difficult." We all hope that we and our fellow actors can pull together, but part of the thrill of theatre is that unknown territory of improvisation.

Rick Murphy (right) with Alan Nebola goes blond for this hysterically funny
scene from our 2001 production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

When it comes to theatre, Rick says it is comedy he enjoys the most, and there is no question that that is what he does best. His featured roles include Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady, Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To the Forum, and Dr. David Mortimore in It Runs In the Family. All three of these large roles gave our audiences something to talk about, whether it was the hilarious tongue-in-cheek lines of Pickering about pline cake and strawberry tarts, or having "balloons up top" while dressing in drag twice in two seasons. I think it's safe to say we're happy that phase is over! Rick says, "I love to do comedy and help people to laugh at me and at ourselves. Comedy truly is medicinal." And if Dr. Mortimore was any indication, we'll be needing to have our sides stitched from laughter in any role Rick plays in the future!

Okay, one drag shot is enough . . . so we'll show Rick in a normal view as Dr. David
Mortimer in It Runs in the Family, meeting for the first time the son he never knew
he had, played by Matt Meyer, in this 2002 production at the Palace Theatre.

Rick is currently busy wrapping up with Love Letters, preparing to celebrate his upcoming anniversary, and to see his daughter, Brooke married this summer. With Rick's presence, wit, and exceptional talent, we hope he continues to grace our stage for many seasons to come.

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