Part 2 in our ongoing series in which the artists of Neverwhere talk about Neil Gaiman.  Don’t miss Neverwhere this summer when it opens August 16!

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It is time that I, Christian Thomas Sullivan, made a confession. It is something I hoped to hide throughout this entire process from my cast, crew, and Rorschach Theatre as a whole. I feel that I could’ve gotten away with it, too, if it weren’t for pesky Scott and Megan and their desire to have input from the cast. I have been struggling with this since being cast, and will understand if I am leered at and looked down upon by other actors at every audition I attend from here until I stop acting by way of intimidation. It is a hard confession to make. May God have mercy on my soul.

I.

Am Not.

A Nerd.

At least not in the sense that my cast is super excited about being nerds. I am super nerdy about a lot of things. Music. Chuck Palahniuk. (I spelled that without having to look it up.) 80’s movies. Being fashionable in awkward places and awkward in fashionable places. But science fiction and fantasy are generally not two of my nerdy places.

Brace yourselves.

I have never seen Lord of the Rings. Or read it. Any of it. Same goes for Harry Potter. Star Trek. Hunger Games. Enders Game. (I’m not even sure if that last one is what it’s actually called.) My parents walked out of Blade Runner on their first date.

Here’s where you really need to sit down.

I. Have. Never. Seen. A. Star. War.

(Please take a breath. Inhale. Exhale.)

Not a one. Not 4-6. Not a prequel. Not a Christmas special.

My first introduction to Neil Gaiman was in November of 2011. I have had a copy of Good Omens sitting in my “to read” pile for the last year. I had heard of him before hand. But, hand to God, the first time I actually had any contact with his work was when I was listening to a lot of Dresden Dolls and saw him perform with his wife on Craig Ferguson. (You can view it below or click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmbPLazulGc In fact, I’m listening to it while I write this.)

“Why are you telling us all of this, Christian?”

Thank you for asking, reader.

I wanted all of you out there who, like me, is not a sci-fi/fantasy nerd to know: It’s ok. This play is still awesome. I came in, not as a fan of the genre, but as a fan of great storytelling. And I was sold immediately. I have fallen in love with so many of these characters, as well as the world of the play.

Be not afraid, ye who plays sports. Or was in a fraternity. Or has been in more than their share of fights. I am here, as one of you, to tell you that this will be an enjoyable experience for all of us. The play is full of comedy, action, drama, attractive people, and magic. If you’ve never read a Neil Gaiman book, or don’t even know who he is: That is ok.

But seriously, watch that link, and thank me after.

Also, pray my cast doesn’t excommunicate me. I promise I’ll get around to Good Omens soon!