Jun 14, 2002 3 min read

LATROBE – Returning for his fifth season, actor Philip Winters will appear in the opening play of the St. Vincent Theatre summer season, “Beau Jest,” which continues through Saturday, June 22. In this romantic comedy, which opens the 34th season of St. Vincent Theatre, Winters plays Joel, a psychoanalyst, who is the “only reasonable one in the whole play.”

According to Winters, his character observes the unfolding events and then gives advice to his sister, who has hired a young man from a respectable escort agency to impersonate a “perfect boyfriend.” His character has to “stay on top of things,” as the plot becomes more outrageous and complicated.

Originally from Connellsville, Winters graduated from Geibel High School. He received his bachelor of arts degree in English writing at the University of Pittsburgh. In April, he received his master of fine arts degree in theater from Point Park College, where he was the first graduate of the new program. He is hoping to teach theater at Point Park in the fall.

Winters’ career in theater began early. In a high school production of “Bells Are Ringing,” he realized how much he loved the stage, but it was a Pittsburgh production of “Indian Wants the Bronx,” that he remembers as his first real play because, he says, “I remember it being in the big city with real actors.”

Though he enjoys comedic performances, Winters prefers a balance between comedy and drama and is equally seasoned in both. He learned the most about acting with the New Group Theater in Pittsburgh, where he had numerous roles in plays by William Shakespeare, Henrik Ibsen and Anton Chekhov.

Though now a full-time actor, Winters once maintained a day job while acting and attending graduate school. He also has a family with his wife, Kim, and their four-year-old daughter, Malle.

A dedicated actor, Winters says the busy lifestyle “becomes a habit.”

“I would sneak off during breaks and take a nap on the sofa,” he says about previous St. Vincent rehearsals. That is easy to do in an atmosphere where he is comfortable. “I love it here. I tell other actors about St. Vincent College, and they can’t believe it,” he says. “Everybody here is so nice, so good and so funny.”

Fellow cast members include Renata Marino, Jarrod DiGiorgi, Greg Longenhagen, Shirley Tannenbaum and Joe Warik. Winters has worked with many of the actors in previous productions.

“They all are really refreshing. They have a lot of fun and don’t take it too seriously,” he says.

A friend recommended St. Vincent Theatre to Winters and encouraged him to send his resume. Since then, he has appeared in numerous plays at St. Vincent.

The St. Vincent Theater production of “Beau Jest” continues through Saturday, June 22. The play, which is being directed by Joseph Reilly, and produced by the Rev. Tom Devereux, involves a young Jewish girl, whose parents are after her to settle down and get married. Afraid to inform her parents of her new non-Jewish boyfriend, she invents an imaginary “perfect boyfriend.”

For ticket information, call the box office at 724-537-8900.