Episode 502. Directing Richard III
Jessica Thebus directed Richard III for Chicago’s Gift Theatre in the spring of 2016, an amazing production that starred Michael Patrick Thornton (right) in the title role. Jessica talks about the impetus for directing this famously challenging play and reveals where the drama gets most focused, the secrets to fantastic fight choreography, comparisons to FDR, stunning coups de theatre as Act One closers, and, most importantly, how to set your lead actor up for success when tackling one of the most famous opening soliloquies in western literature. (Length 23:11)
Podcast: Download (Duration: 23:11 — 21.4MB)
Episode 500! Playwright Ken Ludwig
Ken Ludwig (right) is the prolific American comic playwright responsible for such Tony- and Olivier-award winning shows as Lend Me a Tenor, Crazy For You, Moon Over Buffalo, Shakespeare In Hollywood, Baskerville, and almost two dozen more plays and musicals that have been produced in more than 30 countries in over 20 languages. For this special milestone episode, Ken talks about his work, his process, his new book How To Teach Your Children Shakespeare, future projects, the importance of being in touch with Twelfth Night, the difference between farce and muscular comedy, the contrast between prose and poetry, the power of comic engines, and the all-important value of romance. (Length 31:22)
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Episode 490. Shakespeare And Burlesque
Richard Schoch is Professor of Drama at Queen’s University in Belfast, and the author of “Not Shakespeare: Bardolatry and Burlesque in the 19th Century.” Richard was working at the Folger Shakespeare Library during our first week there and wrote a blog post about the history of Shakespearean parody. Spoiler alert: The Reduced Shakespeare Company is part of a noble historical tradition. Richard discusses the history of Shakespearean parody and points to examples of Shakespeare spoofing himself, the Golden Age of Shakespearean parody, surprising emotional turns, how parodies are sometimes the best way to see a thing afresh, the fun of gauging Shakespearean literacy, comparisons to Hamilton and the importance of agency, and allowing audiences to be co-creators of an event. (Length 20:00)
Podcast: Download (Duration: 20:00 — 18.5MB)
Episode 470. Theatre For Kids
A recent student matinee — typically something to be dreaded — was instead a delight thanks to the good folks at the Sunset Cultural Center in Carmel, CA, where we performed a 45-minute version of The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) and taught in-class workshops as part of their Classroom Connections program. We discuss our work with children, both onstage and in classrooms, and reveal our bias towards a certain kind of theatre, talk about the fun of doing children’s theatre for grownups, give a shout-out to the New Victory Theatre in New York (which also has amazing programs for children and families), enjoy a special appearance from Neon Joe Werewolf Hunter, and bask in the holiday cheer of seeing different generations enjoying the same show. (Length 16:16)
Podcast: Download (Duration: 16:16 — 15.1MB)
Episode 461. Juggling For Jesus
Before he was an actor, director, master carpenter, and Jeff Award-winning rigger, Isaac Schoepp (top left) performed as a juggler with the Fitz Family Ministries, touring the country with a company made up of his father, his mother, and his siblings. Isaac talks about how he and his family managed to juggle all their callings, new symbolism for the white-faced clown, the joys of bringing your work home, early inspiration from the Flying Karamazov Brothers, making moving parts safe, and living lives of service. (Length 20:02)
Podcast: Download (Duration: 20:02 — 18.5MB)
Episode 460. Remembering Yogi Berra
If Yogi Berra hadn’t existed, some writer would have had to create him. Arguably one of the greatest catchers, and certainly the greatest character to ever play the game, Yogi died recently at the age of 90 and in addition to being one of the greatest players to ever play the game, he was a great wit and, it turns out, a a huge comic influence on the “Complete (abridged)” scripts that Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor have created. Featuring his enormous influence on pop culture, his graciousness, his stats, measuring greatness, and inevitable comparisons to Hunter Pence, Joe Garagiola, Phil Rizzuto, Bob Uecker, and of course Mark Twain. (Length 20:25)
Podcast: Download (Duration: 20:25 — 18.9MB)
Episode 459. George And Tim
George Wendt (“Norm” from Cheers) and Tim Kazurinsky (Saturday Night Live, the Police Academy movies) are well-known to TV and film audiences around the world. But their extensive stage work from Second City to Broadway brings them to Chicago in the Northlight Theatre’s world premiere production of Bruce Graham’s Funnyman. George and Tim talk about this funny and incredibly moving production, and share stories about their years in the biz, including fateful trips to Europe; questionable agent advice; many lessons for young actors; tales of Bebe Neuwirth, Jason Sudeikis, and Woody Harrelson; shout-outs to cast members; the power of both improv and celebrity; and the glory of the walking sight gag. (Length 18:59)
Podcast: Download (Duration: 18:59 — 17.6MB)
Episode 455. BackRoom Shakespeare Backstage
RSC Managing Partner Austin Tichenor performed with the Back Room Shakespeare Project in their production of The Merchant of Venice in July 2015 at the Radler Bar & Restaurant, and because his roles were relatively (thankfully) small, he roamed the backstage area interviewing actors and audience members about their preparation and expectations. Featuring an audio excerpt of the performance, similarities to tricksy hobbits, navigating the play’s racism and anti-semitism, finding the comedy, and the joys and terrors of performing in a riotous pit of bloodthirsty drunks. NOTE: BRSP co-founder Samuel Taylor (who coined the expression embroidered into a sampler by Kate Pitt) discusses the Project’s aims and philosophies in his book My Life With The Shakespeare Cult on RSC Podcast episode 437. (Length 23:57)
Podcast: Download (Duration: 23:57 — 22.1MB)