Fans of all ages gathered at the Colonial Theatre on April 7 for “An Evening With Alan Ruck” to watch a screening of “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” which was followed by a live Q&A session with Ruck hosted by Shaun Clarke, associate professor and chair of visual and media arts.
Ruck played Cameron Frye in his first major work, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and most recently appeared as Connor Roy in HBO’s “Succession.”
When I first saw “An Evening With Alan Ruck” advertised outside the Colonial Theatre, I knew I had to be front and center for the event. Why? Two words. Connor Roy. And while Ruck’s role as Connor had very little to do with the event, it was still a worthwhile night (though I would have preferred a screening of “Connor’s Wedding” from “Succession.”)
Shortly after fans filled the theater, the lights went dim, and everyone gave their undivided attention to one of the most celebrated teen comedies ever. When Ruck’s name appeared during the opening credits, the audience couldn’t contain themselves. The excitement continued as laughter deafened the theater, and audience members quoted certain scenes out loud, like the iconic line where Ferris says, “Pardon my French, but Cameron is so tight that if you stuck a lump of coal up his ass, in two weeks you’d have a diamond.”
Ruck was 29 when he took on the role of Cameron, and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is still enjoyed by audiences 38 years later.
“I knew that it was a really good part,” Ruck said in an interview with GBH. “He’s the character that has the problem. He’s the one that has the dramatic challenge. So I knew it was a really great part, and I worked hard on it, but I had no idea that it was going to be anything more than just kind of a happy teen comedy.”
Following the screening of the film, Ruck made his highly anticipated appearance. He walked onstage wearing a Gordie Howe Detroit Red Wings jersey as an homage to Cameron Frye. The audience cheered as Ruck removed the jersey to reveal a Boston Bruins jersey underneath.
After the audience finally settled down, the Q&A began. Questions ranging from analysis about “Ferris Bueller” to the possibility of Ruck writing a memoir were submitted by audience members before the show and were read aloud by Clark.
Ruck answered each question earnestly, like when an audience member asked for advice on overcoming imposter syndrome as an actor. Other answers included a sprinkle of humor, like when he shouted to his agent sitting in the audience each time there was a question about a future role, like a “Ferris Bueller” reboot.
Of course, my favorite part of the night was when Ruck answered a question about auditioning for the role of Connor Roy. He explained that he had to miss the audition, but miraculously, executive producer Adam McKay requested that Ruck go to McKay’s house to improvise Connor Roy-esque material.
One of Connor’s most iconic lines in the show is “Connor Roy was interested in politics at a very young age,” something he constantly reiterates throughout his presidential campaign. Ruck had no choice but to poke fun at Connor’s demeanor when asked about this line.
“What 50-year-old man says that with a straight face? […] How does a person wind up like this at 50-something years of age,” Ruck said.
“An Evening With Alan Ruck” was both entertaining and insightful. Fans could drown in nostalgia while watching “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and then immediately dive deeper into the inner workings of Ruck’s mind.
