Washington Post humor columnist Alexandra Petri discusses her Shakespearean summer camp comedy Tragedy Averted, now having its midwest premiere at the IO Theatre in Chicago. Tragedy Averted showcases four Shakespeare heroines – Juliet, Cordelia, Desdemona, and Ophelia – who bond at summer camp while struggling with romance, friendship and difficult dads. In conversation with the production's director Dee Ryan, Alexandra shares the origins of her humor; the depth of her nerdery; inspirational messages from W.H. Auden and T.H. White; the comfort of knowing she always wanted to be a writer; spoileriffic exegesis; her firm belief that any crisis can be addressed head-on, Hamlet-like, by writing a play about it; and how fan fiction means you love the source text but have a significant bone to pick with it. (Length 19:14)
1 Comment
Christina McDougall · September 5, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Well – having been an usher at the Terrace Theater in the Kennedy Center for Bill Matson while Matt Croke was performing with the RSC, I have to say this whole Harry Potter – 1st edition book thing… it’s definitely Matt’s fault. Entirely Matt’s fault. I’m pretty darn sure I saw Matt drop the book down the Green Room toilet when Bill was out of the room. Or it could have been the dressing room toilet, but it was definitely Matt and a toilet. Or Austin. But definitely the Harry Potter book. If you need me to testify, just let me know. We ushers see everything… unless I don’t have my flashlight.
Can’t wait to see you guys in Tacoma, WA in March. This time, I have a seat… in the front row. I’ll leave my fancy red KenCen jacket at home.