Director Luke Newsome is having the time of his life directing Richmond Triangle Players holiday production of The Real Housewives of the North Pole by David Cerda.
“It’s a dream come true to be in the director’s seat,” he says. “It being the holiday show, it was the perfect fit — my favorite time of the year at my favorite theatre on earth.”
He admits he misses acting in the show this year — he’s acted in four previous holiday RTP shows. But this year, he says, “I’m flexing very different muscles doing what I’m doing, and I absolutely love it.”
Bravo Drama, North Pole Style
Newsome describes the show as a “total riff off of and a parody of the entire Bravo franchise The Real Housewives of [insert city].”
“I think the title completely prepares audiences for exactly what they’ll be getting into. Take the franchise and turn it up to an 11,” he says.
Newsome heard about this year’s production while he was performing in last year’s holiday show, The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes (Holiday Edition), also written by David Cerda.
He was tapped as director because he understands the crowds that come to the shows, and he knows the style of show that works best.
“It seemed like the logical next step,” he says.
Newsome enjoys the collaboration and seeing his visions and ideas come to life with the help of a talented team of actors.
“It’s something really special,” he says.
Casting the show was difficult because of the number of talented actors that came to audition.
“I couldn’t be happier with who showed up and how it all came together,” he says. “And that includes my phenomenal understudies, the unsung heroes of the theatre community as a whole.”
Behind the Big Hair and Bigger Laughs
In addition to directing the play, Newsome is also designing hair and makeup. He admits working in both roles is tricky.
“There is a lot of makeup and a lot of hair in this show,” he says. “It has made for a lot of late nights after rehearsal styling wigs in the dressing room long after everyone else has left.”
Newsome, who has a musical theatre degree from Valdosta State University, first learned the basics of wig styling in college. After he moved to Richmond and worked in the theatre, he took a job in a hair salon for two years.
“That really helped me hone the craft,” says Newsome who started styling drag wigs for himself — he performs as Wette Midler — and others in the community before he moved into designing for theatre.
The most important part of this production is the gift of laughter, Newsome says.
“This show is hysterical! My face legitimately hurts sometimes from laughing so much in rehearsal. The material is great. My cast is sharp and hilarious. And the design elements we have been adding only enhance the humor. It’s comedic, campy, holiday gold.”
The Real Housewives of the North Pole runs Nov. 11 – Dec. 19 at Richmond Triangle Players, and tickets are available on their website. The show is PG-13 but it does contain some adult language and situations that may not be suitable for young children.
