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Actor takes tradition literally

Lead actor in play that opens tonight broke his ankle in a fall Oct. 8.

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By Marc Katz, Staff Writer 9:23 PM Tuesday, November 1, 2011

BROOKVILLE — In its 26th season, the Brookville Community Theatre still precedes every performance with the actors telling each other “to break a leg.”

It’s a theatrical tradition, not to be taken literally, certainly not before a show.

Perhaps Mike Robinson didn’t know that?

A veteran actor from Fairborn, Robinson, now 63, is retired from a heating and air conditioning business, but continues to act. He also works as a photographer.

He was recently playing a ghost at a hayride, when he slipped on a pile of rocks and broke his right ankle.

And he’s the lead in a play that begins a 10-day run tonight at the Brookville theater, 770 Arlington Road.

It’s a Thanksgiving play called “A Nice Family Gathering,” and Robinson’s part is of the dead patriarch who comes back as a ghost, trying to find a way to tell his wife he loved her, which he neglected to do during their 40 years of marriage.

Originally, Robinson’s character stood during most of the play, but accommodations were made for use of a wheelchair and crutches.

“I’m in a lot of pain, but I’m taking my meds,” said Robinson, whose mishap took place Oct. 8.

“I’m not working the hayride right now, but I can do this play in a wheelchair and with crutches.”

Which brings up another theater expression: The show must go on.

The play is directed by Sherron Henry.

The show runs tonight through Sunday as well as Nov. 10-13. Sunday’s shows are at 3 p.m., all others at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14. This is the last of five plays this season.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.

How to go

What: “A Nice Family Gathering”

Where: Brookville Community Theatre, 770 Arlington Road

When: 8 p.m. tonight, Nov. 10, 11 and 12, and 3 p.m. Sunday and Nov. 13.

Tickets: $14

Information: (937) 833-6790

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