TOM TITUS -- THEATER

It’s said that every clown wants to play Hamlet, but few could match

the achievements in both the comic and tragic elements of theater made in

a five-month period by Sunny Peabody at Costa Mesa’s Vanguard University.

Peabody, a senior film major and theater minor, directed his

multimedia concept of the Shakespearean tragedy last November to critical

and popular acclaim. Currently, he’s reveling in the title role in the

college’s production of the ultra-farcical “Scapino.”

“I’ve always had a passion for acting and comedy,” declares the

Tucson, Ariz., native. “Ever since I was a kid, putting on shows for my

family.”

The Peabody family might draw comparisons to Hollywood’s Phoenix clan.

Sunny is his real name, and his father, Storm, also christened his other

siblings with a weather theme. He has a younger sister named Crystal

Rain, and another sister named Heaven Joy, who’s also in the Vanguard

theater program -- she played Ophelia in his “Hamlet” and currently is

appearing in “Scapino.”

On stage, Sunny Peabody exudes a manic energy that draws comparisons

to the freewheeling style of Jim Carrey. As a director -- a position

offered to few students at Vanguard, let alone to be entrusted to

Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy -- he strove to bring the classic into the

here and now to enhance audience identification.

“My passion was to bring Shakespeare to an audience in a newer way

that wouldn’t lose the spirit of the script,” he said. “I tried to push

the actors to do more than would be expected of them.”

In this respect, he succeeded handsomely. The bloody finale of

“Hamlet” ranked among the most physically demanding and

audience-involving episodes ever mounted on a local stage.

Peabody was attracted to Vanguard by a student recruiting troupe

billed as the Delivery Boys, which toured Arizona when he was in high

school. He is now the drama chairman of that group, as well as a

performer.

He credits “Scapino” director Mitch Teemley, who encouraged the

improvisation and audience contact that punctuates the comedy. “We had

the freedom to improvise; it was a community effort,” Peabody said.

Also coming in for a major share of credit in Peabody’s development is

Susan Berkompas, chairman of the school’s drama department. “She is

passionate about fighting for her students,” he said, “and she’s a

tremendous inspiration.”

Now in his final year at Vanguard, Peabody plans to enroll in a film

study program in Los Angeles before becoming the next Steven Spielberg.

But perhaps Orson Welles would be a better comparison, since he’ll pursue

acting and directing with the same degree of enthusiasm.

Within 10 years, he said, “I hope to be directing major motion

pictures.”

Given his phenomenal creative energy and enthusiasm, that goal may not

be unrealistic for Sunny Peabody.

* TOM TITUS writes about and reviews local theater for the Daily

Pilot. His stories appear Thursdays and Saturdays.