FEBRUARY 1, 2018 // 11
“It’s full of deceit, and no one knows who’s tell-
ing the truth to anyone at any given time,” Neuwirth
said. “I don’t want to say that it’s a play for our
times, but it definitely fits our moment in certain
ways.”
Director Jean White-Rice said the characters are
playing a game of chess against one another. “Each
of them is trying to outthink the others.”
The unusual sense of role-playing extends to the
play’s casting.
“My real-life wife is playing my mistress,” said
Aaron Harris, seen most recently in the Coaster’s
2017 production of “9 to 5: The Musical.” “Not only
that, but I’m doing my first on-stage kissing with
both Heather and Jessica, while being a deceitful
bastard to both of them at different times. It’s a bit
of a challenge.”
“I see a lot of counseling in your future,” Neu-
wirth laughed.
First-time director
This production represents both a new chapter
and a final bow for one of the Coaster’s most stal-
wart participants.
Jean White-Rice has been part of the Coaster
family since 1998, when she made her first onstage
appearance in “On Golden Pond.” Since then, she
has worked everywhere from backstage to the light-
ing booth, served a term as president of the Coast-
er’s board of directors, and established herself as
one of the theater’s most recognizable performers.
“I’ve done at least one play a season since I start-
ed, from tiny supporting roles to leads,” she said.
“One year, I was in six out of seven productions!”
With such a range of experience, it was only a
matter of time before White-Rice took on the only
role she hadn’t yet played: “Fit to Kill” is her direc-
torial debut.
“I’ve worked with a lot of really good directors,
and I’ve been able to take a little bit from all of
them and put it to work for myself,” she said. “I
have to say it’s a lot different from being an actor.
I get to see the form as opposed to just walking it,
which is kind of cool. And it helps that my first play
is small — there’s only three characters, and, except
for one scene, only two of them are on stage at a
time. So I don’t have to deal with a lot of actors and
a lot of movement; I can concentrate on the perfor-
mances. Which helps, because — well, they’re all
such unlikable characters! They all want to kill each
other! I have to find some way for the audience to
come along with them.”
PHOTOS BY GEORGE VETTER/CANNON-BEACH.NET PHOTO
Jessica Harris, left, and Heather Neuwirth
Swan song
White-Rice’s first turn at the helm doubles as her
swan song. “Fit to Kill” will be her last stand with
the Coaster Theatre before she moves to Indiana this
summer.
“Jean’s been awesome to work with,” Aaron Har-
ris said. “We’ve really been working hard to make
her proud, especially since this is her last show with
us.”
“Until we fly her back here to do another one,”
Coaster Executive Director Patrick Lathrop added.
“You heard him,” White-Rice laughed. “It’s on
the record! They’re flying me back!” CW
Actors Aaron Harris and Heather Neuwirth
“Fit to Kill” stars Aaron Harris and
Heather Neuwirth
Coaster Theatre actors Aaron Harris and Jessica
Harris