Necessity is the mother of invention and in the theater, the “necessity” is usually a lack of money and the “invention” is usually how-the-hell-do-you-do-a-great-show-for-50-cents?
My partner Angelo and I were executive producers of a new Arts Center in Pennsylvania and the one thing all art centers have plenty of is no money. Their budget forced us to figure out a way to present the Broadway performers we loved for the money they had.
We came up with an idea of doing an “un-plugged” evening. No set, a great star, two stools and me at the piano (because we couldn’t afford a band.) I would interview the artists and when we got around to talking about a musical they were in, I would play the piano and they would sing. Sort of like the Actors Studio interviews done as a musical.
Patti LuPone was the first artist to agree to do this. Even though Patti and I spent time working out the interview, on stage, she was completely spontaneous and surprising. I knew most of the stories about her shows, but she had me in stitches when she started relating the indiscretions on the floor in her dressing rooms. I knew we were on to something.
In fact, to be completely honest, deep in Pennsylvania, a lot of the audience wasn’t really sure who Patti was. But it didn’t matter. They loved the feeling of intimacy, the stories, the gossip and the way we were both connected when I played. They felt as if they were watching friends have a good time together, and indeed they were.
As it happened, two Broadway producers were in the audience that night (they obviously were going to Tangelwood but made a wrong turn at 209.) They suggested we take the format to NYC and perform it at a theater with different stars each week.
So now, here at The Village Theater, I get a chance to talk to all of my favorite, legendary people, hear the stories I’ve always wanted to hear plus get the chance to accompany them. And this time, I get paid. Although I would have done it for free. (Don’t tell the producers.)
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