Fred Sullivan Jr. directs first play at OSTC

By Don Fowler
Posted 1/29/16

For over 35 years Fred Sullivan Jr. has distinguished himself as one of Rhode Island’s best and most popular actors, having done everything from Simon to Shakespeare at Tony Award-winning Trinity …

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Fred Sullivan Jr. directs first play at OSTC

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For over 35 years Fred Sullivan Jr. has distinguished himself as one of Rhode Island’s best and most popular actors, having done everything from Simon to Shakespeare at Tony Award-winning Trinity Repertory Theatre.

“This has been one of my busiest and rewarding Januarys,” Sullivan said during an hour’s break between directing a group of his acting students at RISD and the professional actors at Warwick’s Ocean State Theatre Company.

While best known for his versatile roles at Trinity, Sullivan has established himself as one of Rhode Island’s most sought after directors, with three plays under his belt at Trinity and a couple dozen at Tony Estrella’s Gamm Theatre in Pawtucket, where he has also played some key roles.

Fred is currently directing the hilarious comedy, “Breaking Legs,” at Ocean State Theatre, and a 75-minute, 20-student production of the fable, “Reynard the Fox,” at RISD.

“I laugh all day long,” he said. “Both productions are hilarious. Splitting my time between RISD and Ocean State Theatre has been one big howl. Both the students and the professional actors are great to work with. The major difference is the space we have to work in, which is true at Gamm.

“Trinity is also unique, in that I’m working with actors that I have known for years. I love directing them because I am one of them. I talk to actors like I want to be talked to.

“I love working with Amiee [Turner] and Joel [Kipper]. They have become my good friends. This is my first time directing for them, but I have acted with Joel and been directed by Amiee.”

Sullivan describes “Breaking Legs” as “not a polite play.” It contains adult language and pokes fun at a group of Italian “uncles” who invest in a relative’s play.

Sullivan brings his experience as an actor and director who has that rare quality of comic timing. I’ve seen him in plays where his simply walking on stage brought laughs from the audience. At the same time, he is as comfortable and as engaging when playing a serious role, whether it be Shakespeare or his stunning role as artist Mark Rothco in Gamm’s production of “Red.”

“Breaking Legs” runs January 29 through February 14 at Ocean State Theatre Company. Call 921-6800 for reservations.

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