Bob Jones University will host a unique January show as part of its annual Concert, Opera, and Drama Series. The production of Wiesenthal features only one performer, one character and one setting. The style of the one-man show is less common in the art and entertainment world, making this artist series an excellent opportunity for the student body to further broaden their artistic experiences. BJU’s showing of Wiesenthal will be performed at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 24-25, at Rodeheaver Auditorium, by its creator, Tom Dugan.
Tom Dugan was born in 1961 in New Jersey, where he later studied theatre at what was then called Montclair State College. Mr. Dugan started out in Hollywood in 1982 and spent 20 years acting in various television shows and movies. He was in multiple Ivan Reitman movies and was one of the last guest stars in the popular sitcom Friends. Over the course of his career, Dugan has worked with some well-known actors such as Steven Seagal and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Mr. Dugan currently resides in Los Angeles when he is not traveling to perform or research his next play. He has written seven one-man plays and four multiple character plays. He gravitates towards writing historical plays. His first three one-man plays were written about the American Civil War, focusing on Gen. Robert E. Lee, Frederick Douglass and First Lady Mary Lincoln. He then moved on to writing plays set in the 20th century, with characters like First Lady Jackie Kennedy and of course, Simon Wiesenthal. For each of Mr. Dugan’s historical plays, he does extensive research, visits museums, talks to experts and reads biographies.
When asked by The Collegian how he chooses the characters of his plays, Mr. Dugan said, “If I’m going to spend my time with these characters, I want to make sure that the stories are uplifting, educational and entertaining. There must be a positive component that enlightens and entertains the audience.”
Mr. Dugan has performed in most of the 50 states, but he considers his time performing in New York as the “high water mark” of his career. He says he is still benefiting from the time he spent and the friends he made there. Mr. Dugan is currently working on a series of multiple character plays that he plans to call the “New Jersey Trilogy.” He is also working on adapting Wiesenthal to the big screen. Wiesenthal has been translated into six languages and has been performed in Israel, Italy, Mexico, Australia, India and the United Kingdom. It continues to be Mr. Dugan’s most performed work since it was written about 20 years ago.
“I need much less makeup to appear 90 than I did almost 20 years ago when I started performing Wiesenthal!” Mr. Dugan joked. “But I will continue to do it until I need make to make myself look younger than 90!”
Mr. Dugan gave advice to BJU students in the performing arts.
“Always find a way to keep loving what you’re doing. It will be a difficult road but find a way to reconnect with the joy that brought you there to begin with.”