Meet the Cast of Murderers: Mari Geasair

Introduce yourself! Where have audiences seen your work before and where can they see you next?
My name is Mari. I have been an actor around Denver for some time, and Vintage audiences may recognize me from recent productions of The Roommate and Shakespeare in Love.

What is your favorite aspect of the character you play?
My favorite part about my character, Minka, is how surprising she is. She’s super smart and cares deeply about her community, but her take on things is often just a bit different than you would expect. I think we all have a little part of Minka in us—a part inside that is tired of being limited and underestimated and longs to break free, break a few rules, and create something better. Minka does it!

Even if the way she chooses to go about it is not something any of us could ever do. But that is what makes her so fun. She allows us to engage in a little dark fantasy and a lot of unexpected hopefulness.

You're having a dinner party and get to invite three of your favorite villains from media and literature. Who do you invite and what's on the menu?
The best villains are those you don’t even know or villains and who probably aren’t villains in their own stories, just in other people’s stories. So, I think my dinner party would include three Wise Women, and we would enjoy a Cauldron of Courage Soup. And a nice Riesling.

You've had the chance to perform this role before--how has it evolved the second time around?
What is fascinating for me about playing a role a second time is that it rarely feels like it is a second time. There is, of course, a familiarity like visiting with an old friend. But just like visiting with your friends, you always discover new laughs and new depths, and it is a completely unique experience. And frankly, when we did this show before, it was 2020 and the world was odd. I cherish parts of that experience (thank you Jen, thank you, Bernie, thank you, Jan.) And I also don’t actually remember much of the process from that time all that well.

As an actor, how does performing a lengthy monologue vary from work with a scene partner? Do you prefer one over the other?
The exciting thing and the terrifying thing about a lengthy monologue is that the audience is my scene partner. This means it’s fresh and interesting every night, but I also don’t know what thoughts and emotions people will bring into the room with them and how they will react. So, as we rehearse, there is this process of trying to “listen” to what I think the audience's reactions might be, but I know it will be totally different once we’re in performance, and each night of the performance will be its own unique creation. It is an exhilarating and unique process.

Why should audiences come to see Murderers?
People should come to murders because the world is a little stressful right now, and everybody needs a good laugh! And really, who hasn’t secretly felt a little like murdering somebody in the last couple of months?

This is your chance to enjoy some revenge fantasy, laugh with some friends, and just escape the pressures of daily life. Personally, I think this script is hysterical and I hope to be able to share with you.