Denis Arndt & ‘God of Carnage’

Sep 02, 2011 No Comments by Dmae Roberts

Dmae Roberts talks with actor and director Denis Arndt, veteran of major American theatres including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival as well as hit television shows and films. We’ll hear about his career and about his experiences directing “God of Carnage” at Artists Repertory Theatre opening Sept. 9th.

Perhaps you’ve seen him at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival performing roles like King Lear or Titus Andronicus. Or you might have seen him on television hits 24, Picket Fences or Boston Legal or in film blockbusters such as Basic Instinct and Metro?

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Denis Arndt & Dmae Roberts

Even if you can’t recall exactly, veteran actor Denis Arndt will seem familiar to you. Yet you might be surprised to learn he was a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War and received two Purple Hearts. Or that he was a bush pilot in Alaska. When he quit being a pilot, he went to an audition in Seattle and got the part. It’s been non-stop acting roles since then. Now Arndt has been directing and his latest project is ART’s ”God of Carnage” a play he’s performed in the past.

Denis Arndt & Bill Geisslinger ART's "Seafarer"

Bob Hicks in his blog Artscatter said of Arndt: “What’s always struck me about Arndt’s performances is how meticulously thought out yet precipitously on the edge they are. He takes you to the tipping point.”

Arndt has performed in major theaters across the country and in Canada, including New York’s Public Theatre and Chicago’s Goodman Theatre as well as Kansas City Rep, Houston’s Alley Theatre, Washington DC’s Arena Stage and Studio Theatre. Arndt performed in 15 seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival performing title roles in King Lear, Titus Andronicus, Coriolanus; Iago in Othello, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Proteus in Two Gents. He was seen as James in Moon for the Misbegotten opposite Jean Smart and Jamie in Long Day’s Journey Into Night with William Hurt who played Edmund. Film and television roles include LA Law, Picket Fences, The Practice, Boston Legal, Providence, Colombo, Murder She Wrote, Basic Instinct, Metro, Supernatural, 24, Swat and others.

ART's 'God of Carnage' Patrick Dizney, Allison Tigard, Michael Mendelson, Trisha Miller. Photo: Owen Carey

Artists Repertory Theatre presents the Tony-award-winning play God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza and directed by Denis Arndt, stage, television and film actor. This shocking comedy/ drama play kicks off ART’s 29th season with actors Patrick Dizney, Michael Mendelson, Trisha Miller, Allison Tigard.

Performance Dates are September 6 – October 9 at ART’s Alder Stage (16th and Alder St.) in Portland. For tickets call 503.241.1278 or visit www.artistsrep.org.