The episode opens with an excerpt from The Reckoning of Kit & Little Boots performed by Nat Cassidy (playwright and actor) and David Ian Lee (actor).  We are given a real feel for this play in this short scene between the Roman Emperor Caligula and Marlowe, the writer.

Martin Denton moderates a discussion with Neal Freeman and Anna Moore, co-producers of The Reckoning… and Hope’s Arbor. Most interesting is why and how these two plays are being done in repertory and, even more unusual, the fact that this three week run will have its first two weeks at The Gallery Players in Brooklyn and its third week at Manhattan Theatre Source in Manhattan.

Martin leads a discussion of what each play is about and how the choice of doing them represents a sort of ‘mashup’ that really seems to work. Actress Lauren Marcus gives a taste of Hope’s Arbor as she renders one of the short monologues in this play.

Stay tuned for the end of the podcast when Neal offers listeners a “cast, friends, and family” discount if you offer the appropriate code when ordering tickets.

Episode Links:

• The Reckoning of Kit & Little Boots on nytheatre.com
• Hope’s Arbor on nytheatre.com
• The Gallery Players website
• Engine 37 website 

Download the podcast

Write a play with dogs, about torture, about interrogation methods, about choice overload — said Dan Safer, director/choreographer of Witness Relocation.  Loving a challenge and the chance to work with an ensemble, playwright Saviana Stanescu immediately went to work.  The finished product is Vicious Dogs On Premises.

On this podcast you will learn more about each of these fascinating theatre artists, how they got together and you will gain insight into the creative process that went into the making of this new production.  Dan speaks of an ongoing process, that the piece is never really finished.  Saviana eagerly awaits opening night when she will see the result for the first time.

Martin Denton is moderator.

Episode links:

• Vicious Dogs on Premises on nytheatre.com
• Witness Relocation website
• Saviana Stanescu’s website
• Saviana Stanescu’s blog

Download the podcast

The episode begins with an excerpt from Bring Us the Head of Your Daughter, a new play from The Amoralists. This serves as a great introduction as to what the work of this company is like.  The actors are Jennifer Fouche and Deshja Driggs-Hall. The play is Part 2 of The Hey You Monster. (Part 1 is entitled Pokin the Bears In a Zoo). Each is a stand alone full length play currently produced in repertory.

Martin Denton is then joined by the founders of The Amoralists, Derek Ahonen, James Kautz, Matthew Pilieci, and David Levy-Horton. Exuberance and excitement abound as the four expound, enlighten, interrupt, and describe what The Hey You Monster is about, how and why they formed their theatre company, and what kind of theatre they are interested in producing. 

Listening you will learn that 1) yes, both plays are related; 2) yes, they reflect two sides of a common topic, and 3) yes, these guys share a very strong passion for what they do. And there’s an offer at the very end that will save you money on the price of a ticket.

Episode Links:

• Pokin the Bears In a Zoo on nytheatre.com
• Bring Us the Head of Your Daughter on nytheatre.com
• The Amoralists website 

Download the podcast

Kirk Wood Bromley’s newest play is entitled Me and, as the name suggests, it is autobiographical.  And it is a play with music and song. To discuss this further Martin Denton is joined by Kirk and the show’s composer, John Gideon.

Kirk relates how the play is autobiographical but also a stepping stone to other topics that are of interest to him.  The play talks of fish and dolphins, life inside the womb, the Yangtze River and more. John talks of the kinds of music he has composed — eclectic is his word — ranging from Pete Seeger to gospel chorales. Interspersed is talk of casting the show, John’s background and how he became a member of Inverse Theater, and a bit of philosophical musing by Kirk.

Episode Links:

• Me on nytheatre.com
• Inverse Theater Company website

  Download the podcast

Martin Denton is joined by Deb Margolin, playwright of Time Is the Mercy of Eternity, and Constance Zaytoun of Purple Man Theater, co-producer with Six Figures Theatre Company of this new play.

 As Deb explains the play is actually made up of four short plays but they share a common thread.  Deb knows exactly what her play is about and why she wrote it and what she feels its importance is.  She explains this most interestingly to the listening audience emphasizing that, although it deals with serious topics, there is much humor in it.

Constance, who knows Deb’s work well, talks about putting the play up and gives a bit of background about her theater company.  She explains a bit about the casting in that the play has a cast of four but, except for the opening piece, two or three people appear in each of the segments.

Deb talks about why she writes plays about people she dislikes or doesn’t understand.  Listen and you will get a great deal of insight about the mind of a successful playwright and you might even learn a bit about writing a play since Deb is also a university professor of playwriting.

Episode Links:

• Time Is the Mercy of Eternity listing on nytheatre.com
• Six Figures Theatre Company’s website 
• Purple Man Theater Company’s website

Download the podcast

More and more we see film influencing theatre. To discuss this trend and the various manifestations it takes are three directors whose upcoming works are strongly influenced by film.  They are Jeff Lewonczyk (Babylon Babylon), Jon Stancato (The Accidental Patriot), and Ian W. Hill (The Magnificent Ambersons) and are joined by nytheatrecast moderator, Trav S.D.

The listener will quickly discover that the title of Jon’s show is really much longer and far more expressive. 

There is much to learn from these three gentlemen about how and why they use film as a starting point and Trav S. D. draws this information expertly from each.  Jon is more interested in the form itself which he uses to blend the swashbuckling era of Errol Flynn with the classicism of the Greek chorus and more.

Ian has recreated for the stage the original Orson Welles cut of this famous film.  His knowledge of the making of this film is astounding and should fascinate any film buff. Jeff amazes Trav S.D. when he notes the inspiration for his play is the book by Herodotus. Deciding it has to be an epic film in the Cecil B. DeMille mode, his cast numbers 31 and includes battles and belly dances.

Episode Links:

• Brick Theater website
• Piper McKenzie website
• Stolen Chair Theatre Company website
• Ian W. Hill’s blog

Download the podcast

This podcast focuses on the new musical, The Devil and Tom Walker, written by Anthony P. Pennino, conceived by Yvonne Conybeare, with music by Rob Kendt. They are joined in a roundtable discussion of the play by Martin Denton.

The play is an adaptation of a short story by Washington Irving. Tony, as author, gets first dibs at giving a short synopsis of the play and Yvonne chimes in to give some insight as to why she thought it was an interesting play to do, especially how it resonates today.

Rob has some extremely fascinating things to tell us about the research that goes into creating music that has to be distinctly of its time.  Listeners then get a great treat.  Rob sings two selections from the show, accompanying himself on the guitar.  He deftly explains how and why the songs fit the show and the characters.

Martin resumes the discussion by asking how you go about casting a show with music almost as integral as acting.  Yvonne explains some of the process and adds that the only non singing role is The Devil, who in the original story had a strong presence, but actually appeared rarely.  In this adaptation The Devil is also the narrator, stepping in for the real narrator, Washington Irving.

Episode Links:

• The Devil and Tom Walker info on nytheatre.com
• Metropolitan Playhouse website

Download the podcast

Playwright Matt Freeman, director Kyle Ancowitz, and actor David DelGrosso join Martin Denton to discuss the latest production of Blue Coyote Theater Group — When Is A Clock by Matt Freeman.

Try as he might, Martin had difficulty finding out what the play was about.  Matt and Kyle repeated often that it was a mystery and anything they might tell about it might give it all away.  David came up with a succint explanation that seemed to pass muster with the playwright and director — nothing was given away, but the audience did get a feel for the play.

Evident throughout the podcast was the comfortable ‘feel’ each had for the others.  David and Matt have been friends since college.  David has appeared in many of Matt’s plays and is delighted to be cast as a policeman in this latest endeavor.  Kyle has been directing Matt’s plays since 2004 and the rapport and respect bubble over between the two.  Since David’s been part of many of these former productions, he and Kyle are also extremely comfortable with each other.

Matt is the author of two plays published by NYTE: The Death of King Arthur (Plays and Playwrights 2002) and Genesis (Playing with Canons).

According to Matt, a mystery is a new experience in his writing.  But many of the themes he has worked into his previous plays are evidenced in his latest. As all three noted, if you are curious about When Is A Clock, you will just have to attend a performance.

 Episode Links:

• When is a Clock info on nytheatre.com
• Blue Coyote Theater Group website
• Matt Freeman’s blog

Download the podcast

Actor David Mogentale and director Leo Farley join Martin Denton to discuss their new production of The Conversation. David is artistic director of 29th St. Rep and Leo is a founding member.  They have worked successfully together in many past productions.

29th St. Rep is “where brutal theater lives”  and David and Leo discuss this play and how it fits with what 29th St. Rep is best known for. 

The Conversation is an adaptation by Kate Harris of the well-known Francis Ford Coppola film. Leo and David talk at length about becoming acquainted with the adaptation, why they felt they wanted to produce the NY premiere, and how the crew is helping them making this a reality.  David, at the time of the recording, was just learning to play the saxaphone, which is integral to the role.  He gives a brief sample of his new musical talent.

Episode Links:

• Show information on nytheatre.com
• 29th St. Rep website

Download the podcast

Kevin Augustine, master puppeteer, actor, director, joins Martin Denton to talk about his newest creation, Bride. Three years in the making, Bride evolved from a story of creation  in the Frankenstein vein to a story of the Creator, as in God.  Kevin has always been fascinated by “creation” because he creates when he takes a piece of foam and makes it into a puppet.  A brief synopsis of the story, Keven tells us, includes the true history of all the gods that preceded monotheism. 

Martin prods Keven to reveal fascinating history of how Keven became interested in puppets, how, as a solo performer, he morphed into working with puppets (’cause he was lonely), and how his Catholic family looks upon his latest endeavor.  And there’s more…

It’s a shame this podcast doesn’t have a video component because you should get a look at his tribe of puppets.  Visit his website for this.

Episode Links:

• Info about Bride on nytheatre.com
• Lone Wolf Tribe website

Download the podcast