Atlanta, GA -
All poor Barney Cashman wants to do is have a little fun before he dies.
The lead character in Neil Simon's "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" is a middle-aged dud who invites three women up to his mother's apartment in one abortive attempt after another at an affair.
Courtney Patterson plays (from left) Bobbi Michelle, Elaine, and Jeannette in the Aurora Theatre production of the Neil Simon play 'Last of the Red Hot Lovers.'
In the Aurora Theatre production of the play, Al Stilo plays the hapless Barney and Courtney Patterson plays Elaine, a calculating seductress. And Bobbi Michelle, a loony free spirit. And Jeannette, a pent-up housewife.
"The costumes really help a lot," said Patterson of her multirole gig. But she's also found a way to relate to each of the women.
"Bobbi Michelle is easiest," she said. "It's energetic. She's bouncing off the wall and she never shuts up."
Elaine's the most difficult role for her. During Elaine and Barney's time together, she sits quietly for much of the time while he explains himself and his reasons for wanting to step out on his wife. It's helpful for the audience, but doesn't give Patterson a lot to work with.
But she understands Jeannette.
"I can easily see where a series of ups and downs can put you in a cycle of reading into everything, not letting yourself see the light at the end of the tunnel," Patterson said. Unlike Jeannette, Patterson is happily married — to Nick Quinones, general manager of Loca Luna restaurant.
Patterson, who has appeared at the Horizon, Alliance and other metro-area venues, first appeared at Aurora during the 1999-2000 season. Her role in "Heartbeats" came about by chance. Ann-Carol Pence, associate producer at Aurora, was working as an accompanist when Patterson auditioned for a role at Dad's Garage in Atlanta. Patterson didn't get the role, but got a call from Pence a few days after the audition.
"It was divine intervention," Pence said, explaining that Aurora needed a fast replacement for an actress who had problems with her throat.
Patterson, who studied theater at Valdosta State University, is a 1995 Brookwood High School graduate. It was under the tutelage of Brookwood drama teachers Ken and Patty Lindahl that Patterson developed her love of acting. (The Lindahls' son, Matt, was the third-place finisher in the televised "Nashville Star" competition). Patterson's parents live in Dacula and her mother, Susan Patterson, lends her skills as a seamstress to the Aurora.
Although it's a bit of a hike from her home in Midtown, Patterson enjoys working at the Duluth theater.
"When you work here, you can feel that momentum," she said. She credits Pence and Anthony Rodriguez, the theater's producing artistic director.
"They take care of their actors as much as they can," Patterson said. "They do good stuff here. I'll work out here anytime."
Photos by Ben Gray/AJC
