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Marks & Vincentelli: A Theatre Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Marks & Vincentelli
A theatre podcast hosted by critics Peter Marks (Washington Post) and Elisabeth Vincentelli (contributor to the New York Times). Featuring guest interviews, show discussion and more. marksvincentelli.substack.com
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- 3 weeks ago50 min
A witty writer (David Lindsay-Abaire) and a great actor (Richard Thomas) walk into a digital studio
In this episode we welcome the playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, whose new Tony Award-nominated comedy, “The Balusters,” is currently on Broadway with a fab cast that includes today’s other guest, Richard Thomas, alongside Marylouise Burke, Anika Noni Rose, Margaret Colin and Michael Esper.We’d assumed that the play was named after a family but no, the title refers to the kind of small pillar that supports stairs or a porch, and becomes an object of tension in the story. Not that the characters lack opportunities to bicker, because they’re all members of a neighborhood association’s board and the play takes places over several of their meetings. David’s plays include the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Rabbit Hole” as well as “Good People” and Ripcord.” He’s also written books for musicals including “Kimberly Akimbo” (based on his play of the same name) and “Shrek.” Don’t miss the part of the episode when David immediately identifies the prominent critic Elisabeth overheard making a callous comment during “Good People”!As for Richard, he’s a stage staple and his avuncular mien is put to particularly pointed use in “The Balusters,” where he plays the board president, Elliot. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marksvincentelli.substack.com/subscribe
- 4 weeks ago49 min
"The Lost Boys" breaks Broadway's vampire musical curse. Discuss.
In this episode we talked to the two men who are largely the reason why “The Lost Boys” is the wow-iest wow spectacle of the Broadway season: director Michael Arden and scenic designer Dane Laffrey. They’ve been friends since their days at Interlochen, and “The Lost Boys” — which landed a whopping 12 Tony nominations — is just the latest in a long collaboration that also includes the revivals of “Once on This Island” and “Parade," and last year’s “Maybe Happy Ending.”Oh, and they did “The Queen of Versailles” this season as well. Yes, we talked about that one, too.But most of the conversation was about “The Lost Boys,” which is based on the 1987 movie of the same title. And there was a lot to talk about because this show is a lot, from vampires flying up and down several stories’ worth of rafters to characters jumping off a bridge that suddenly appeared on stage. So sit down, press “play” and listen to Michael and Dane explain how they turned the Palace Theater into a playground for Californian vamps. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marksvincentelli.substack.com/subscribe
- May 11, 202649 min
Hear how "Giant" scribe Mark Rosenblatt took on Roald Dahl, earning a Tony nod in the process.
A run at London’s Royal Court Theatre, followed by a transfer to the West End, followed by Broadway: not bad for your first play! That is exactly what happened to Mark Rosenblatt, the author of “Giant” and our guest on this episode. Mark spoke to us from London about his play, which explores Roald Dahl’s antisemitism; the action takes place not long after Dahl came under fire for his review of a 1983 book about Israel’s attack on Beirut the previous year. A commanding John Lithgow, often terrifying as Dahl, makes a meal of the role. Mark talked to us about his years working in theater (usually as a director); what prompted him to turn to playwriting; the inspiration behind “Giant” and how he navigates the perils of writing about antisemitism these days. It’s a bracing conversation, and often funny — as is the play, which makes you laugh one second and shudder the next. Thanks to Christian Huygen for our theme music. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marksvincentelli.substack.com/subscribe
- May 4, 202650 min
Ann Harada is one of Broadway's favorite utility players for a reason
Ann Harada is the only lead from the Apple TV+ series “Schmigadoon!” to reprise her role (Florence Menlove, the mayor’s wife) in the Broadway version, and we couldn’t be happier — she’s particularly well tuned to Cinco Paul’s wacky world. Ann’s been a fan favorite since her breakthrough as Christmas Eve in “Avenue Q” but we’re also longtime fans of her turn as Trina in the National Asian American Theater Company’s revival of William Finn’s “Falsettoland.” And remember her as the harried stage manager in the series “Smash? Few play harried as expertly as she does. She also talked to us about her experience in shows like “M. Butterfly.”We had to overcome some technical gremlins for this episode but it was well worth it, because Ann was funny and candid as she talked about journey, including the obstacles she faced as an Asian American performer in an industry that for a long time was not hospitable. Happily, she’s proof that there’s more in the repertoire than “The King and I.”Gift link to Elisabeth’s review of “Schmigadoon!”Thanks to Christian Huygen for our theme music. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marksvincentelli.substack.com/subscribe
- Apr 27, 202643 min
"Becky Shaw" scribe Gina Gionfriddo has gone from theater to "Law and Order" and back again.
It seems hard to believe that Gina Gionfriddo is just making her Broadway debut now. And she does it with a comedy, “Becky Shaw,” that premiered at Second Stage back in 2009. Not only that, but the show marks this terrific playwright’s return to NYC theater after 10 years writing for TV — the “Law & Order” universe has been good to her, as it’s been for many actors. On the podcast, Gina’s candid about what kept her away for so long: the need for a steady paycheck so she could raise her kid, for one, but also the weight of the crushing reviews that greeted her play “Can You Forgive Her?” in 2017.Well, we’re glad to have Gina back, and that she found the time to drop by our virtual studio to talk about all that stuff and a lot more — including her upcoming stage adaptation of a novel starring a very, very famous serial killer. Also: if you’ve seen her plays, which include “Rapture, Blister, Burn” as well, you know that Gionfriddo has a wicked sense of humor. Listen to this episode and you’ll see she’s not saving it for the stage. Thanks to Christian Huygen for our theme music. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marksvincentelli.substack.com/subscribe
- Apr 20, 202648 min
Wait What? OUR Jack O'Brien, a star of the "The Comeback"?
An unlikely thespian is winning over fans in Season 3 of the Lisa Kudrow cult series “The Comeback”: Jack O’Brien, who is playing Tommy, the hair stylist of Kudrow’s Valerie Cherish. Theater fans certainly are familiar with O’Brien — but as a director. He’s won three Tonys, and for wildly different productions: “Hairspray,” “The Coast of Utopia” and “Henry IV.” Pretty good range, and that’s even before O’Brien stepped in to fill the void left on “The Comeback” by the death of Robert Michael Morris, who adorably played Tommy’s predecessor, Mickey, in the first two seasons. In addition to his many, many credits on Broadway — he landed his first Tony nomination for a revival of “Porgy and Bess” in 1977, and most recently directed the play “The Roommate” and the musical “Shucked!” — he also led San Diego’s Old Globe Theater from 1981 to 2007.At 86, O’Brien remains indefatigable and found the time to drop by the podcast. He’s as funny and chatty as you might expect. We talked about “The Comeback,” of course, but also about some of his signature shows. Dive in!Thanks to Christian Huygen for our theme music. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marksvincentelli.substack.com/subscribe
- Mar 31, 202646 min
Peter was a guest speller for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." He got booted fast.
There’s a reason “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” has been a hit since its premiere in 2005: Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn’s musical is incredibly funny and sneakily poignant — and the songs are simply great. Now the show is back in New York in a fab production — Elisabeth gave it a critic’s pick in the Times — that includes Lilli Cooper and Jason Kravits as Rona Lisa Peretti and Vice Principal Douglas Panch, two adults who steer the contest but also the show: One of their responsibilities is to make the guest spellers who are selected from the audience at every performance stay on track, and leave at the right moment. Lilli and Jason came on the podcast to talk about their experience in the musical — don’t miss the part about them spotting showboaters and wannabe performers almost instantly, then plotting to get rid of them! They also talk about some of their other roles: Lilli’s credits include David Yazbek’s “Tootsie” (Tony nom!) and the Encores! “Titanic” with dad Chuck and brother Eddie; and Peter waxed poetic about seeing Jason in many plays in D.C area theaters.Tune in — this is a particularly funny episode! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marksvincentelli.substack.com/subscribe
- Mar 16, 202650 min
What could be more entertaining than Steven Boyer and Adam Chanler-Berat on a podcast, together?
One of the great pleasures of Lauren Yee’s new play, “Mother Russia” (at Signature Theater until March 29) is watching expert actors work their comic magic. We’re lucky that two of them, Steven Boyer and Adam Chanler-Berat, took some time to drop by our virtual studio. Elisabeth wrote a glowing review of “Mother Russia” in the New York Times, praising Steven and Adam’s performances as a pair of mismatched friends in 1992 St. Petersburg, trying to figure out how to make a quick ruble as capitalism takes over Russia. This is their first time working together, which is unexpected because they have been regulars on New York stages for the past 15 years. Adam got his break break in “Next to Normal,” then went on to terrific turns in “Peter and the Starcatcher” and “The Fortress of Solitude.” Steven earned a Tony nomination for his memorable turn as a teenager and his evil hand puppet in “Hand to God,” and you would remember him from playing Victoria Clark’s dad in “Kimberly Akimbo.” Freakishly, they both played John Hinckley in different NYC revivals of “Assassins”!We talked with them about the new show, including the epic scene in which their characters chomp on their first-ever filet-o-fish, as well as some of their earlier credits — Steven has an amazing anecdote about the little-seen “Trevor” (which Elisabeth remembers vividly) and its surprisingly trajectory. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marksvincentelli.substack.com/subscribe
About Marks & Vincentelli: A Theatre Podcast
A theatre podcast hosted by critics Peter Marks (Washington Post) and Elisabeth Vincentelli (contributor to the New York Times). Featuring guest interviews, show discussion and more. marksvincentelli.substack.com
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