The History Of The Actors’ Group (TAG)
1997-1998
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On The Verge – The End Of An Era
After the close of “Trapped,” the group did not produce another show for over a year. This is because Dave Winston Barge had two forces tugging at him. One, he was likely burnt out from creating, producing, and directing the four shows prior, and two, he was longing to see the world, something he had thought about and longed to embark on for quite some time. While Dave was taking a bit of a hiatus, the group returned to hosting acting sessions. Eventually, however, Winston Barge returned for one final play, again carved from improvisational exercises, called “On The Verge,” which brought to the ensemble Mike Mazzola, a frequent scene study participant, who would become another major player in the development of TAG going forward into the future. Other actors cast in the production are Andrew Trask, Sam Polson, Leigh Ann Kinghorn, Dorothy Stamp, Lena Kaneshiro, and Eric Nemoto.
The Playbill For “On The Verge”
“On The Verge” played for a total of 10 performances, playing on Saturday and Sunday nights at 8:00 pm, on February 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th, March 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th. It also became the first play reviewed by Advertiser theatre critic Joe Rozmiarek, who gave a very positive review. He coined the phrase that TAG was like “penicillin mold,” in that it is a theater group that seems to appear out of nowhere.
TAG’s First Play Review – Joe Rozmiarek’s Article Introduces TAG To Hawaii Newspaper Readers
Old Reclaimed Footage Of “On The Verge”
While the closing of “On The Verge,” did not immediately signal Dave’s departure, there were signs that he felt his time was up. A thank you note to Eric (see image left) communicated words that were never conveyed before. Dave’s leaving would, in fact, materialize, and with his exit an era had ended. He had poured his heart and soul into TAG, and because of this, the group had legitimately transformed from a performing arts curiosity, into a brand new theater. While TAG would go on to continuously grow over the many years to come, none of this would have happened had Dave not appeared at that going away party for Leigh Ann and Leilani, and posed his idea of doing original plays. His vision had come true. He did far beyond good. He did great.
After “On The Verge,” Dave Winston Barge would eventually make good on his desire to travel the world. He left the group and Hawaii, and with his departure other active members – Leigh Ann Kinghorn, Lena Kaneshiro, and Dorothy Mane – elected to pursue other creative interests as well. This left TAG founder Eric Nemoto literally as the only member of TAG remaining. On that fateful night when he sat alone in the Yellow Brick Studio risers, he contemplated that maybe the short but exciting journey of TAG was already coming to an unfortunate end.
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