-- WHY I PRODUCE -- When I graduated from college, all I really knew was that I wanted to work in entertainment. I knew I’d end up in New York or Los Angeles. I hated L.A. the one time I visited in the 90s, but I knew I loved NYC from previous visits. So I called up a Broadway producer’s office I found online, landed an internship over the phone, and moved just after Memorial Day in 1998. Over the next 5 years, I realized that while performing and learning about show business, what I really learned was the art of making art. Ya know -- putting it together. Bit by bit. And then one day, two friends asked me to produce a show for them. I was a bit surprised, but I just said “Sure.” We did a play that didn’t turn out so well, and someone died during the run. It’s quite a story. Buy me a drink sometime and I’ll tell you about it. Then my friend Kelly approached me and said, “I want you to help me produce this idea I have.” And that became The Fall Collection (2004). And that evolved into Crown Point Festival (2007, 2010). And then I became the chair of that non-profit’s board. Then I helped a friend raise some money for ANN at Lincoln Center. And all this while holding my day jobs and doing the occasional burlesque/”boylesque” gig. Not bad for a kid from Bowling Green, Ohio, right? So, why produce? Well, because a few people saw the ability in me before I saw it myself. (Story of my life.) I suppose I produce because when great work is being created and no one else is doing it, I REALLY want to do it. I’ve learned that I’m really good at rallying support for something. I’m a good leader, and I’m good at connecting people to new opportunities. (And only recently have I gotten comfortable with that…quite a big step!) Mostly, I think I’m pretty fun and a good guy, so hopefully that makes people more inclined to climb on board with my crazy ideas. And I’d like to think I have a nose for finding the next new thing. Maybe I’m not as cutting edge as other folks, but I’m still sharp. Convincing people that they could love these things too is tough, but I enjoy it. But why produce OVER? Because I’ve fallen in love with it. I broke my ankle while snowboarding in 2013, and I was cranky and laid up, and I wanted scripts to read. So I called a few friends and asked them for new work. My old college buddy Dave Chapman sent me several scripts, one of which was Over. I read it and thought, “Holy cow…this is like CABIN IN THE WOODS!” Just, you know, without the mer-man. What I mean is, the plot feels familiar, but then some cool twist throws the formula into an unfamiliar direction. And then every character is looking really hard at what’s happening, trying to make sense of it. And by the end of the script, I found I was really touched by what each character had discovered for themselves. I was also deeply moved by several of Tabitha’s lines in the last few pages. So now, 18 months later, we’re opening tomorrow night at FringeNYC - The New York International Fringe Festival. Tomorrow night! I’m a little nervous, but I’m mostly excited. I had no idea who would be in it a year ago. I had no idea who’d direct or who would design or run the lights and sound. I had no idea how much help I’d have along the way, and it’s worked out beautifully. I try to resist reacting to what I’ve seen in rehearsals, but I’m still laughing, I’m still teary by the end, and every single time, even though I know what’s coming, I’m still moved by it. We all see our favorite shows, movies and musicals time and again because of how we are affected, and we love HOW we are affected. That’s why I keep coming back to OVER and producing. And I suppose that’s why I’ll produce for the rest of my life, God willing. So: break a leg, Adam, Alisha, Becky and Brian! Congratulations, Bryan! And thank you, Dave. You’re the reason this whole production is happening. Safe travels tonight! Love and endless gratitude to all of you, my family of friends -- Kev bit.ly/UcWenC VENUE #14: Sheen Center - THE BLACK BOX FRI 8 @ 9:30pm SUN 10 @ 2:15pm THU 14 @ 4:30pm SUN 17 @ 7:00pm THU 21 @ 5:45pm
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 18:38:11 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015