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)
Episode 452. Beyond The Stage
Reed Martin, Austin Tichenor, and Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival workshop cast members Chad Yarish, Dan Saski, and Teddy Spencer discuss the development of the new script William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) as part of NDSF’s “Beyond The Stage” series. Featuring questions from NDSF Artistic Director Grant Mudge and members of the audience, and discussion about the power of story, outrageous tales of audience participation, the challenges of working with two directors, the tricks of telling the truth and interacting with the public, inevitable comparisons, and the wonder of Shakespearean inspiration. (Length 22:18)
Podcast: Download (Duration: 22:18 — 20.6MB)
Episode 439. May The Fourth
On this Star Wars Day 2015, arts advocate Howard Sherman and writer/podcaster David J. Loehr help us celebrate the Force and Stars both Wars and Trek (and even a nod to Cupcake). Featuring important distinctions, common pop cultural languages, shout-outs to Alan Ayckbourn and Caryl Churchill, the power of sagas and epics, and encouraging thoughts about the future of science-fiction theatre. (Length 24:22)
Podcast: Download (Duration: 24:22 — 22.5MB)