Watch Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s Scene-Stealing Stage Debut

As a lifelong thespian, I can attest to the benefits of being involved in community theatre. Whether it is behind the scenes as a set painter, up in the lighting rafters, or standing in the middle of the spotlight. The experience will change anyone for the better, and you'll have fun doing it.

Konstantin Stanislavski is considered the father of modern theatre, and I'm pretty sure he's the guy who said, "There are no small parts, only small actors." Meaning that even if someone is cast as "townsperson #2" with no lines and minimal stage time, their role is just as important to telling the story as the lead character.

While that may not be entirely true in the grand scheme of things, I do believe that everyone involved in a production matters and adds value to the overall end product. Especially when you consider whether their dialogue adds to the plot.

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear proved this point perfectly when he made his stage debut last night at the Lexington Theatre Company. Playing the role of the doctor in the musical 42nd Street. Although he most definitely cheated by having his lines there on a clipboard, I'm gonna cut him some slack. He does have more important things to do than memorize lines. You can watch his scene-stealing moment here:

"You can't be doin' that" is one of his signature phrases from the daily COVID updates he gave during the pandemic. It has stuck around and become kind of a catch phrase, so I thought that was funny and clever that they incorporated that in his special moment.

As a director, I can't help but give a few notes. His delivery was a little more on the presentational side, and he "broke the fourth wall" by looking out into the audience, but maybe that is what he was instructed to do.

I will give him props for his projection and enunciation.  He also gets points for waiting for the audience to stop laughing/cheering before saying his lines, and he made excellent eye contact with his fellow actors. Great job, Governor! You're a natural.

I don't think he has much free time for hobbies, but if he "caught the acting bug," as so many first-timers often do, he could have a real side gig on his hands. I'd definitely cast him! Can you imagine being in that audience and getting a surprise special guest like that?