Good People Design Presentation

Over at the Huntington, we're gearing up for the start of our 2012-2013 Season, and the first show in the lineup is David Lindsay-Abaire's Broadway hit Good People, which tells the story of a single mom struggling to get by in South Boston who looks an old flame now living in Chestnut Hill. Here's a little video I put together of the design presentation at the first rehearsal, featuring director Kate Whoriskey and scenic designer Alexander Dodge. They've got a pretty exciting approach to bringing the streets of Southie to the stage (plus, Alexander's set models are meticulously detailed at such a small scale). Check it out: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries?list=UUHKZbbNa2IRgasTR7D92ApA&hl=en_US]

Good People plays September 14 - October 14, 2012 at the Huntington's Avenue of the Arts / BU Theatre.

Meanwhile, at my day job...

So when I'm not in rehearsals for / plowing through re-writes on TRUE BELIEVERS, I still, of course, have my day job to deal with (which has been incredibly supportive and helpful through this entire process, so hooray for gainful employment!). While our 30th anniversary season at the Huntington is now over (and what a successful season it was!), we're now busy gearing up for the fall and the start of our next season, which means lots of work (because it always does) but less immediate hard deadlines (which I guess is now...for now, until it's not). ANYWAY, here's a video I made of our Artistic Director, Peter DuBois, discussing the first show in our 2012-2013 Season, David Lindsay-Abaire's recent Broadway hit GOOD PEOPLE (conveniently set in good ol' South Boston). Check it out:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odPjupNifbM]

Top 5 Reasons Why THE AVENGERS Movie Totally Sucked And Also Was Stupid, Part II

After recovering from his earlier coughing fit, "rogue video blogger" Billy Horowitz continues with his Top 5 Reasons Why THE AVENGERS Movie Totally Sucked And Also Was Stupid. Tickets for the world premiere of TRUE BELIEVERS are going fast, with only 50 seats in the theatre, so make sure to get yours ahead of time while you still can! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtR7kMEf5q4]

Billy Horowitz and the No Good Horrible Very Bad AVENGERS Movie

Here's a little sneak peek at the world premiere of my new play True Believers. Billy Horowitz is a self-proclaimed "rogue video blogger" (as well as a cyborg), and his passion for comic books tends to drive him into a destructive frenzy. His video blogs feature prominently into the play, projected on the stage, and here, Billy takes his shot at The Avengers movie. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB6f0bb-n1Y]

Don't forgot to buy your tickets for the show, which only runs for 2 weeks. Performances start this Thursday!

Music & Scenes from Private Lives

Here's another video I put together for the Huntington's production of Private Lives by Noël Coward, which runs through June 24 at the Avenue of the Arts / BU Theatre. This one showcases some of the music and delightful physical comedy of the show, into one quick hilarious montage. If this doesn't make you want to see it, well, then there's no hope for you at all. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuKx6phlp30&w=450&h=253]

An Interview with playwright Kirsten Greenidge

Kirsten Greenidge just won an Obie Award for playwriting for her play Milk Like Sugar. A Boston native, Kirsten's Boston-based play The Luck of the Irish just had its world premiere at the Huntington and was our highest grossing world premiere by a female playwright, ever. (which is pretty awesome) Here's a video interview I did with Kirsten, discussing her history and relationship with the Huntington. Not only was she a Huntington Playwriting Fellow, but she decided to become a playwright after seeing a student matinee performance at the Huntington when she was 12. And here we are, 16 years later! Not bad at all!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqEZUAvUPx4&w=400&h=225]

Private Lives at the Huntington

Here's my latest behind-the-scenes video for the Huntington, featuring interviews with Private Lives director Maria Aitken, and cast members James Waterston and Bianca Amato. Previews start this Friday, and the show runs through the end of June. It's a hilarious Noël Coward comedy, kind of a posh and witty comedy of manners about marriage and divorce and other equally silly things. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3rvfvWsg8s]

Sex! Romance! Infidelity! France!

Now that I have your attention, here's a new teaser trailer I created for the Huntington's upcoming production of Private Lives by Noël Coward. Enjoy! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2czcfc0e9M&w=400&h=225]

August Wilson Sings the Blues

Here's another video I produced and edited for the Huntington's upcoming production of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, this time focusing on the presence of the blues in Wilson's work. Enjoy!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b33wSLF2YA&w=480&h=274]

Chicago Blues, circa 1927

Over at the Huntington, we're getting ready to open our production of Ma Rainey's Black bottom, the first Broadway hit by August Wilson. It's also the last show in Wilson's Century Cycle to be produced by us; starting with Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Wilson had a home at the Huntington in developing his plays before they hit Broadway, so it's a particularly special occasion. Here's a short teaser trailer I cut together for the show:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-U6Ls5kF0c&w=480&h=274]

Sh!t Daleks Say

I know, I know, this meme is awful, it never ends, and I can't stand it. Sure, there are a few gems in there, but ugh, make it stop. ...so really by doing this, I know that I'm just perpetuating the issue, but I see it more as my chance to EX-TER-MI-NATE the meme, if you will. Plus, c'mon — admit it — this is funny. And I'm awesome.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxLQl5ns-Do&w=485&h=276]

God! Of! Carnage!

Here's a new teaser trailer I put together for our upcoming production of GOD OF CARNAGE at the Huntington. The show won the Tony and Olivier Awards in New York last year for Best Comedy, and it's definitely something worth something. It's a quick, 70 minute romp of chaos about two couples in Brooklyn who come together after their children get in a fight on a playground. Hilarity ensues. (There's also a film version, directed by Roman Polanski, simply called "Carnage" that's playing at some small arthouse cinemas around the country right now) The show is directed by Danny Goldstein, who most recently directed the Godspell revival that's currently playing on Broadway, so that's cool, too. Previews start this Friday (when we also have our totally awesome 35 Below after party with booze and a live band and all sorts of fun stuff) and runs through February 5. Anyway, here's the video. Woof Woof.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxcei2FDV0Y&w=500&h=284]

WARREN ELLIS: CAPTURED GHOSTS Screening

CAPTURED GHOSTS is a brand new documentary by filmmaker Patrick Meaney about Warren Ellis, the "Internet Jesus" himself and one of my personal favorite writers of all time. I'm putting together a preview screening of the film in Boston on January 7, featuring a Q+A with the director. Here's the official blurb:

The film features the most extensive interview Ellis has ever given, and spans his life, from his first memory watching the moon landing as a child, to his recent cross-media success with the film adaptation of Red. Along the way, Ellis's acerbic wit and core belief in humanity comes across like never before.

Complimenting Ellis's own words are interviews with his artistic collaborators, friends and admirers from across all media, including actress Helen Mirren, Director Joss Whedon (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), comedian Patton Oswalt, Adult Film Star Stoya, Musician Claudio Sanchez (of Coheed and Cambria), comics writers Matt Fraction and Antony Johnston, and futurist Jamais Cascio. Ellis's comics collaborators like Marvel Comics CCO Joe Quesada, artists Darick Robertson, Ben Templesmith and Phil Jimenez also provide insight into Ellis's mind and creative workings. The film features numerous ambient interludes that spotlight Ellis's prose and writing from both his online columns and his comics.

And the trailer:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i3ySdq8b6Y&w=500&h=284]

It's a pretty impressive list of celebrity interviews, if I do say so myself. I saw Patrick's last documentary, Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods (which can be streamed in its entirety on Hulu), which was absolutely fantastic. If that's any indication, then this new Warren Ellis film should be particularly awesome.

If you're fan of science, comic books, the future, the creative process, or Helen Mirren, I'd encourage you to come check the screening! (and if you're hesitant and not at all familiar with Warren Ellis's body of work, here's a particular powerful scene from a book of his called Doktor Sleepless. That'll give you a taste of the kind of mind this man has)

Tickets here! Get yer tickets!

Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation competition for high school students, encouraging them to explore and perform poetry. The Education department at the Huntington Theatre Company moderates the Massachusetts State Competition (the winner of which go on to the National Finals in DC). Here's a little video I put together about the program: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYqA6Ls5pxs&w=500&h=284]

Partyin' with Adolf Eichmann in Buenos Aires

The second video feature that I produced based on Evan M. Wiener's Captors, which is currently having its world premiere at the Huntington (before a highly-likely Broadway production). This one focuses on the personal history of Adolf Eichmann, "the architect of the Holocaust," and his relationship with Peter Malkin, the Israeli Mossad agent who captured him in Argentina. It's kind of like a frenemy-bromance, between a Nazi and an Israel. Don't believe me? Check out the video below. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhGgFWUrNG4&w=500&h=284]

Captors: A Thrilling True Story

The first in a series of short behind-the-scenes videos I made, focusing on the world premiere of Captors by Evan M. Wiener. Captors tells the true(-ish) story of the capture of Nazi mastermind Adolf Eichmann by a group of Israeli secret agents in Buenos Aires in 1960. And, well, everything else you need to know, you can probably find out by watching the video! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZACW2FH1Qyk&w=500&h=284]

Captors plays November 11 — December 11 at the BU Theatre on Huntington Avenue, with plans to move to Broadway sometime later. Check it out!

Love Me, Love Me, Love Me — I'm a Liberal

While I've mostly avoided political discourse on this website (at the pub after a few beers, now that's a different story), I was recently reminded me of the existence of this song, and was struck by how relevant and poignant it was (read: people in the 99% need to stop posting things on Facebook bitching about the 99%, because every complaint I've seen coming from a member of the 99% betrays a clear misunderstanding of the entire movement, and is completely counterproductive. Seriously, we're all in this together, and if you don't want to actively support the movement, then fine, but don't make fun of your own problems on a public forum because you're only hurting yourself. There, I said it). Anyway, here's a song, originally written by Phil Ochs, later adapted by Kevin Devine (and further updated, however slightly by myself). Lyrics after the break; enjoy!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_QeyDk0jG4]

I cried on September 11 Tears ran down my spine Like I cried for each murdered Iraqi As though I'd lost a neighbor of mine But Afghanistan got what was coming It was the right thing to do, at the time So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

I stopped by those Occupy campsites Cursed Bachmann and the whole GOP And I can't get enough of Obama His message of change speaks to me Sure, Nader's right about most things But he cost Gore that election, you see So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

I bristled and raged through Katrina The response made me sick to my heart I'm sure FEMA would've come running If they'd flooded rich whites in Cape Cod But don't talk about revolution 'Cause that's going just a little bit too far So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal Yes I vote for the Democratic Party I figure soon enough they'll come along And I attended those vote for change concert And they sure got me singing those songs And I'm bothered about corporate government But I do want our brand to trade strong So love me, love me, love me I'm a liberal

Yes I read the New Yorker and Nation And I've learned to take every view And I idolized Franken and Stewart Hell I feel like I'm almost a Jew But when it comes down to globalized markets Well there's no one more red, white, and blue So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

And sure once I was young and impulsive I wore every conceivable pin Even went to some socialist meetings Yeah I learned all the old union hymns But oh I've grown older and wiser and that's why I'm turning you in So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal.

An Interview with STICK FLY Playwright Lydia R. Diamond

A few weeks ago, I spoke with playwright Lydia R. Diamond, whose play STICK FLY will begin playing on Broadway on November 18. Lydia is a Huntington Playwriting Fellow, and Stick Fly was previously seen at the Huntington under the direction of Kenny Leon as a part of our 2009 — 2010 season. It's really incredibly play, and one worth seeing if you have the chance (like instead of waiting in that endless line at the TKTS Booth for tickets to some lame musical, take advantage of the "Plays Express"). [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVPxmia8as8&w=500&h=284]

Peter DuBois on CAPTORS

Yeah, yeah, I realize that I just posted about the opening of Before I Leave You at the Huntington, but we're also gearing up for another world premiere — Captors, about the capture of Nazi mastermind Adolf Eichmann in Buenos Aires in 1960. Based on the memoirs of Peter Z. Malkin, one of the Israeli Mossad agents who held Eichmann in captivity in Buenos Aires until they were able to get him out of the country, the play is written by Evan M. Wiener and directed by my good friend (slash boss) Peter DuBois. The video below was originally filmed in May; it's a conversation with Peter about the play, which opens here in Boston on November 13 before (probably) moving to Broadway (details are still in the works, but that's the plan right now anyway). [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQg00msX9EM&w=500&h=284]

Before Who Leaves Who?

Tonight marks the official press opening of our brand new world premiere play BEFORE I LEAVE YOU at the Huntington. The play was written by Huntington Playwriting Fellow Rosanna Yamagiwa Alfaro and is set in Cambridge in and around Harvard Square. Here's a little video I cut together of audience reactions after seeing the show. Check it out! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTSPSVpTwic&w=500&h=284]