Steven Webb to star in US premiere of FEELING AFRAID AS IF SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS GOING TO HAPPEN
Photo credit: Rich Lakos
Francesca Moody Productions (FMP) has announced casting for the upcoming US premiere of Marcelo Dos Santos' one-person show, Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen, which runs at Studio Theatre, Washington DC this summer.
Actor Steven Webb, known for The History Boys, The Book of Mormon, and Shucked, will step into the leading role.
Steven said: “I’m exploding with excitement about bringing Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen to the Studio Theatre this summer. This project holds immense significance for me for several reasons. After over three decades as an actor, I’ve always dreamed of performing in the States. Not only is that dream finally coming true, but ‘Feeling Afraid…’ will also mark the fortieth show of my career.
“When I first read the script, two thoughts immediately came to mind. Firstly, Marcelo Dos Santos is one of the most exciting playwrights the UK has to offer, and secondly, I HAVE TO GET THIS PART. I was prepared to part with money to secure the deal, but thankfully, the offer came without the need for bribery.
“The cherry on top of the already delicious cake is the opportunity to work with Matthew Xia. Matthew has industry-wide respect and unparalleled talent. Finally, it feels like a full circle moment reuniting with Francesca Moody Productions. About fifteen years ago, Francesca produced four short-form comedy musicals that I appeared in. We performed under a tent in the middle of a wet field in England. And now, here we are, bringing this extraordinary play to the U.S. capitol. A dream job. A dream team. And hopefully, it’s not actually just a dream.”
The US premiere of Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen is currently in rehearsals in the UK under the guidance of director Matthew Xia and will start preview performances at Studio on 4 June, just in time for Pride Month celebrations. It focuses on a permanently single, professionally neurotic stand-up comedian who, after years of swiping, finally meets Mr. Right – and then does everything wrong. This darkly comedic one-man show delves into the anxieties of modern life with razor-sharp wit, tackling everything from the fear of intimacy to the terror of vulnerability.
Director Matthew Xia said: “I’ve been a fan of Marcelo and his writing for a while. So when he shared this new play with me... I leapt at the chance to be involved. There is so much that appeals to me in this piece – a deeply flawed, but loveable, protagonist trying to work through his issues in front of an audience, the conflicting themes of desire and self-sabotage, and formally it’s an incredibly clever play sitting at the confluence of stand-up, storytelling and theatre.”
The creative team also includes set and costume designer Kat Heath, lighting designer Elliot Griggs, and sound designer Max Pappenheim.