Actor likes the local scene

By Rita Charleston
For the Times

Set in late October of 1517 in what is now Germany, Wittenberg tells the fictional story — based on historical events — of the advent of the Protestant Reformation.
The world premiere, now being staged at the Arden Theatre through March 16, recounts the battle of wits between Wittenberg University professors Dr. John Faustus (a man of appetites), Dr. Martin Luther (a man of faith) and their student Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (a youth struggling not only with his beliefs but also with his tennis game).
"The story is sort of a backstage view of Luther, Faustus and Hamlet," said Greg Wood, who portrays Luther in the production. "These icons of history sort of show you what goes on in their households."
Wood, a Media native now happily residing in Philadelphia, and a prominent figure in the local theater scene, explained that playwright David Davalos had a lot of room to maneuver while crafting the story.
"He takes free license for his story because no one knows for sure what happened, so I don’t feel as though I have to play a real historical figure," Wood said. "A lot of research wouldn’t have helped in doing the part because the play is not strictly based on history."
Davalos added that he always has been intrigued by imaginary meetings between historical figures and saw this play as "an opportunity both to have fun in telling the untold back story and to exploit the central conflict of reason versus faith, as it related to these characters and continues to relate to us today."
As an actor, Wood likes the outcome. "David has written a story that’s fanciful, straddling the fence a bit with one foot in what probably did happen but the other foot in the realm of entertainment," he said. "I do think this is a very funny play and completely entertaining in many, many ways."
Thoroughly enjoying his life in the theater today, Wood admitted that his eyes weren’t always aimed in this direction. Having graduated from Widener University with a degree in finance and economics, he knew he needed more in the way of education to get on with his career, whatever that might be.
"I thought maybe I’d go to law school, but by the time I graduated I was really sick of school and knew I needed some time off," he recalled. "At the same time, I did realize that in this world, no matter what path I decided to follow, I needed some public-speaking training because I was always petrified to be in front of a crowd of people.
"So I decided to take an acting class at Hedgerow Theater in 1981, right after my college graduation. Later, I was asked to join the company and ended up doing just that until 1983," he said. "That was a wonderful experience for me and pointed me in a direction I knew I’d follow for the rest of my life."
Today, Wood has amassed credits that include roles locally at the Arden, Lantern Theatre Co., the Wilma and the Walnut, among others. He also has done a number of film and TV roles, including The Happening, The Lovely Bones, The Sixth Sense and Signs, as well as roles on Law & Order, Ed, Hack and Homicide.
"Philadelphia is one of the few cities in the country where one can pursue their craft and actually make a living. All my friends have," Wood said. "The roles you get to do may also be life-changing for you as well as for the audience, which makes for a great journey for any actor." ••
For more information, call the Arden box office at 215-922-1122.