.Best Actor: Creating principled characters

L. Peter Callender

Although he’s capable of playing baddies — note his recent bloodthirsty turns in As You Like It and World Music — Callender’s wicked characters are smart and principled, even if those principles include “It’s alright to banish your brother to the wilderness” or “Go ahead and take a machete to your neighbor.” And when he plays more sympathetic characters, they’re always people you’d like to know better, from the head of a traveling theatrical family in CalShakes’ Nicholas Nickleby to the embattled museum director in the Aurora’s triumphant Permanent Collection. Indeed, we’re hard-pressed to find anything he can’t do with tremendous warmth, gravitas, intelligence, and generosity (CalShakes’ Twelfth Night audiences may remember his passing the hat right after 9/11 for the families affected by the tragedy). He also occasionally plays
funny — if only more directors used him this way — with a wonderful vocal range and evocative physical gestures to carry along his transfixed audience. A powerful performer, Callender is actively engaged in creating a better community in his choice of roles that kindle discussion and debate.

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