Episode # 170 - Jeffrey Essmann
nytheatrecast welcomes writer/performance artist Jeffrey Essmann, in an interview with Martin Denton. Jeffrey is bringing a brand new show, The Usual Freak Show, to La MaMa in November. Some of our listeners/readers may recall that Jeffrey was a frequent performer at La MaMa and other venues in the 1980s and 1990s, with one-man performances and shows such as Artificial Reality.
Jeffrey talks extensively about The Usual Freak Show, which features music and live accompaniment by composer Michael John LaChiusa. He introduces us to many of the different characters who are featured in the show, including a French existentialist slam poet and an over-the-hill Barbie doll. Best of all, Jeffrey performs an excerpt from the show, portraying another of his inspired creations, a fashion editor named Vivienne.
This episode also features some background about Jeffrey’s career, including his training at HB Studios under Uta Hagen.
Episode Links:
Download the podcast