Retired Actor Brings Talents to The Barn

Scott Hart has studied theatre all his life.

“Really, all of my life,” Hart said.

The director of The Barn Theatre’s current production, “The Drowsy Chaperone” spent 35 years in professional theatre. He studied at the New York Academy of Theatrical Arts.

“I did the whole New York thing,” added Hart, who has been both an actor and a director in professional dinner theatres, traveling theatres and summer stock companies.

It is his love of theatre which Hart shares with the main character, Man In Chair, in Bob Martin and Don McKeller’s 2006 Tony Award winning musical.

"'The Drowsy Chaperone’ is a unique musical,” explained Hart. “In this day and age of juke box musicals, which are wonderful, this is a new show that is an old-fashioned musical, with a cute little story about a little man who loves theatre. Every character in it is just lovable. The audience will leave with big smiles on their faces.”

Hart guides a cast of 19 players, supported by a nine piece orchestra, through a zany evening of fast-paced comedy and show stopping dance numbers.

“I couldn’t believe how fast this show is,” said Hart about the first time he read the script.  “When it gets going it just goes.”

Each character is completely unique, and requires precision to move through the often frantic and sometimes farcical action.

“As a director, I consider myself a traffic cop,” noted Hart. “I more-less make pretty pictures, telling actors where to go so they don’t run into each other.” 

But Hart also helped the actors address the broad, physical comedy challenges the script requires. 

“It’s trial and error,” Hart explained.

From prat-falls to roller skating blindfolded, Hart’s actors never stop moving during the hour and forty minute theatrical event.

“It’s a two-fold thing,” Hart said. “It’s a traditional, old-fashioned, Broadway musical on one hand, and on the other hand, it’s just, for lack of a better word, ridiculous.”

“I am very good at the comedy end,” he added. Noting that, as a director, it’s important to gain the trust of actors in order to encourage them to be silly. Once they trust, they perform crazy stuff.

“Some of those bits get the biggest laughs,” Hart said.

More than twenty years ago, while working in the professional theatre Hart met his wife, actress Lynn Hart. Lynn Hart plays The Drowsy Chaperone in Scott Hart’s current production.

The couple worked together professionally for many years. But, in the mid-1990s, they decided to retire from theatre and pursue another dream they shared: Building their own log cabin in the woods.

Together they designed a log home which they had built on a property they purchased in Hardwick, NJ. As a team they completed all the finishing details themselves.

“We love it out there. We’re surrounded by woods,” said Hart. “It’s peace and it’s quiet out there.  It’s a schlep, but that’s just part of the tradeoff.”

These days, both Scott and Lynn Hart both now have careers outside of theatre. Lynn Hart teaches public speaking at Seton Hall Preparatory School, and Scott Hart works in the receiving department of a pharmaceutical company.

“They’ve been very good to me,” Hart said, pointing out that the company has been understanding of his crazy schedule.

“I’ve gotten back into it [theatre] in the last eight to ten years,” explained Hart. “Once it’s in your blood you can’t get rid of it.”

Hart performs or directs in community theatres about twice each year. Last August he also performed at the renowned Fringe Festival in New York City.

Most recently, while beginning pre-production for “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Hart was in “Urinetown” at the Chester Theatre Group.

 “I think community theatre is a wonderful thing. Some are more professional than others,” Hart said.

“Although it is a community theatre, there’s still that professional edge that I like to keep. The Barn Theatre has that.”

"The Drowsy Chaperone" runs rough June 11 at . Performances are held Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees June 5, and 11. Tickets are $20 or $19 for seniors and students at matinees. The Barn Theatre is located at 32 Skyline Drive, Montville, NJ. For tickets call (973) 334-9320.

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