MY FAVORITE ROLE

Chicago Tribune, By Marian E. Kabaker, March 28, 1986

Choosing favorites always is a risky business. Nevertheless, many of Chicago's leading actors agreed to pinpoint their favorite roles and, in some cases, their fantasy roles. Their reasons are as varied as the people themselves. Some have strayed from our midst (temporarily, we hope), but we've tracked them down for you.

William "Bill" Petersen, a member of the Remains Ensemble, returned to Chicago after completing his second film, "Red Dragon," to appear in "Days and Nights Within" at the Organic Theatre in February. His last appearance in Chicago had been in Wisdom Bridge Theatre's "In the Belly of the Beast"; his portrayal of Jack Henry Abbott was widely acclaimed. He is assisting in the Remains production of Brecht's comedy "Puntila and His Hired Man," opening on April 17 at its new home in the Organic Theatre.

"I've been really very fortunate in that I've had a chance to play some great roles," he says. "Jack Henry Abbott really taught me how to act. I played Stanley Kowalski in "Streetcar" at the Stratford Festival, and it was tremendous to do a large-scale production of an American classic. It's a role that I would like to do again in Chicago.

"Eddie in "Fool for Love" was a favorite; so was Hoss in Sam Shepard's "Tooth of Crime." It was fabulous. We had our own rock band, and I got to play a rock star.

"A favorite role is usually the one you are working on at the time. If not, you're in real trouble."