Brian Joseph Boothe invokes his infamous ancestor

By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — Brian Joseph Boothe may have infamy in his past, but he’s courting fame in his future. He recently starred in the Cornerstone Arts Alliance Production of “The Curtain Falls” as Edwin Booth, the elder brother of John Wilkes Booth.

Brian Joseph, called “BJ” by his friends, is a descendent of John Wilkes Booth, remembered infamously in history as Abraham Lincoln‘s assassin. But before his death at age 27, Booth was revered as a gifted actor. He was one of ten siblings in a family known for outstanding acting ability.

Judging by the magnificence of BJ Boothe’s performance in “The Curtain Falls,” the legacy from his ancestors is superb acting ability.

The play, one of two Civil War shorts that were performed at The Music hall in Goshen, revolves around Edwin’s destruction of John Wilkes Booth’s costumes and accouterments. As each item — a skull, a wig, capes — are removed from the deceased actor’s trunk and tossed into the furnace, Edwin reveals his repulsion for what his brother did to the family’s good name.

Boothe delivers his lines and recites passages from “Hamlet,” “Macbeth,“ “King Richard,” and more with passion, feeling and wonderful articulation, so vital for delivering a memorable Shakespeare.

A home-grown talent
Boothe, 31, lived in Washingtonville during his high school years, graduating from Washingtonville High School in 1999. Afterwards, he did live one year in downtown Goshen. He’s currently living in Salisbury Mills and is working as an apprentice winemaker at Brotherhood Winery, Washingtonville. He has one daughter, four-year-old Esme.

Boothe said he “dabbled” in theatre but became serious during his later high school years and sought out community theater as well as school productions. Among others, he’s performed in “Damn Yankees,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” and most recently the Cornerstone production of “Chinese Coffee.”

Audience’s can look forward to seeing more of BJ Boothe in the upcoming Cornerstone’s Shakespeare in Salesian Park production of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” when he portrays Falstaff. The play is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 20, 21, 27 and 28.

Boothe is candid about being a descendant of John Wilkes Booth: “It isn’t a particular point of pride for me, and since my daughter is part African/American, I’m not a particular fan of John Wilkes Booth.”

However, he is a big fan of Ken Tschan, director of the theater and of Cornerstone Arts Alliance. “I love working here," he said. "I’ve learned the most here since September that I’ve learned the rest of my life. I love working with Ken. He’s afforded me a lot of opportunity no one else around here has.”

Fellow actors and other staff members agree with Boothe. Both directors of the Civil War shorts are in their 20s and just beginning their careers.

Said Technical Director Jacqueline Dion, “Ken gives young people the opportunity that they otherwise wouldn’t get. It’s the best part of working here — I see people who wouldn’t get the chance to do what they love, to do it.”

First time director Lisa DiBlasi, who directed “The Curtain Falls,“ said she found that she prefers directing to acting. “It’s a very good experience and if asked to do it again, I would,” she said.

Agreeing with her is Justin Pietropaolo, director of the Civil War drama, “My Hands Is Full o’ Gifts,” who noted that the autonomy of the situation is “a treat and unheard of. It’s unusual to have this amount of freedom and do what I want in a production.” However, he added that he prefers being on stage. “It’s my true love,” he said.

Next on Cornerstone Arts Alliance schedule is the biography “I Remain...Jane Austen,” starring Evelyn Albino in a powerful one-woman show. Performances: Fridays and Saturdays June 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 7 p.m.; Sundays June 2, 9, 16 at 2 p.m. Admissions are free; donations greatly appreciated. Reservations are required.

Civil War Shorts and “I Remain.. .Jane Austen” are sponsored by The Goshen Public Library and Historical Society.