Most one-man shows are monologues espousing the author’s core beliefs. However, this is not what Newnan Community Theatre Company’s first one man show is. What it is is a hilarious comedy written by Becky Mode. On May 15 and 16, Trey Stephens will star in “Fully Committed.”

In its simplicity, “Fully Committed” is a side-splitting satire about people who are desperate to book a table at New York City’s hottest French restaurant, and the employee who has to deal with them all.

Actor Stephens stated the play selection was pretty easy. Although he liked the idea of being on stage on a rant, he wanted to appeal to a wider audience. “Fully Committed” is not a difficult play to understand or follow. The show follows a young, naïve, unemployed actor in New York City. He works for a restaurant reservations desk where the requests are non-stop. Sam, the main character, is taken advantage of by all the people who desire to get their own way. Throughout the course of the play Sam must try to cope with fulfilling everyone’s needs. This is an impossible task as the needs of others are in direct competition with one another. Sam eventually decides to take control. By the end of the show, Sam goes from being a boy with a dream to a man with a plan.

Stephens chose to do a one-man show because he wanted to expand what he is capable of accomplishing. He also stated he “wanted to set a good example for the artists of Newnan to try and push the envelope a little more. Do something uncomfortable and scary, because that is when the true magic happens.”

“Fully Committed” is comprised of 36 different characters (37 if you count a pre-recorded voice-over), all portrayed by Stephens. He states “Sometimes I disagree with myself, other times I am trying to make sure that I don’t feel too bad about something that I did to myself. I obviously get to talk in silly voices, and playing 10 different women is not easy!”

Trey has been volunteering at NCTC for the past three years. He directed “Noises Off!,” and “Daddy’s Dyin’,” and appeared in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “The Odd Couple.” Stephens is a regular participant in the NITWITS, NCTC’s improvisational comedy troupe. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in Drama and is proud to currently teach Mathematics at Mt. Zion High School in Carroll County.

Playwright Becky Mode developed “Fully Committed” with Mark Setlock. It premiered in New York in 1999 and was an immediate success. Mode is a former actress, waitress, and coat check girl. She was a staff writer on “The Cosby Show.”

“Fully Committed” will be performed in NCTC’s black box theatre, May 15 and 16, at 8 pm.

Seating is limited. The cost is $10 per person.

Tickets may be purchased from the theatre’s website, newnantheatre.com.

You can make a reservation by emailing NCTC at nctc@numail.org or calling the theatre at 770-683-6282.

Newnan Community Theatre Company is located in downtown Newnan at 24 1st Avenue. The non-profit organization is completely volunteer-run.

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