Friday, September 10, 2021

The Slab Boys


The Slab Boy:
Playhouse Theatre 
(Mar 07, 1983 - Apr 17, 1983)


Although the recent documentary Val has a many heartbreaking scenes, it's also a fascinating look into the actors career. I really enjoyed listening to actor Val Kilmer share behind the scenes stories of his time on stage and in films.


One of the most interesting stories to me was Val's time on the New York stage in the play The Slab Boys.  On a couple of years out of school, Val was initially hired as the lead in the production. As other actors, more well known for their film roles became available, Val was demoted. When Kevin Bacon became free, the director asked Val to take the second lead.  Then when Sean Penn was free to join the cast, Val was demoted again to the third lead position.

Bacon, Jackie Earle Haley, Kilmer and Penn

Val seemed to roll with it all, as did his video camera which captured the young cast behind the scenes back stage.  In the scene below, Bacon and Penn, both in their early 20's, moon Val and his video camera. 

Penn (l) & Bacon (r)

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