Entertainment : Pierce makes ACT 1 debut in title role of \'Rex\'s Exes\'

Cory Pierce plays the title role of Rex in his Act 1 debut. 'Rex's Exes' opens Thursday.

Although his last stage performance came about 25 years ago, Cory Pierce of Urbana watched some of his friends in Act 1’s ‘Oliver” last year, and decided he’d like to try acting again.

“I had watched a couple of my friends, Chris Overturf and Mitch Mensen, in the musical, along with their families,” Pierce says. “Mitch told me he would let me know what the next play was going to be. I had done a few plays in high school so I went for it. Now here we are.”

A Linn-Mar graduate who now lives in Urbana with his wife, Cami, and their family, Pierce says he enjoys “letting my own personality come through to lend some comedic value to Rex’s character."

In the play, Rex is revealed to have been a former boyfriend to more than one member of the Verdeen family. He returns years after his sudden disappearance to face a variety of problems, including those exes and the jealousy of his wife, Peaches.

“Clearly, Rex is a ladies man as am I, so I don't have to do much acting there,” Cory jokes. “On a serious note, I like the balance of Rex trying to be a tough guy, yet he's scared of nearly the entire Verdeen family.”

Indeed, Rex is afraid, hiding under the table in one scene and wearing a camouflage-themed wedding dress as a disguise in another scene. 

"Rex's Exes" opens at 7 p.m. Thursday on the Palace stage. Click HERE for ticket information.