Tell us about Baba: Baba is a story based on my father. About my relationship with him, growing up, and about loosing him, and my struggle to find my manhood without him. It is a very personal and intimate story.
What inspired you to write Baba: I saw a friend - Armando Merlo - do a solo show about losing his mother. It was funny, engaging, creative, touching, and thoroughly enjoyable. I began to wonder if I could write a similar solo show about my losing my father. I started taking classes with Matt Hoverman and a story about my father began to develop. It was powerful --- and after a few readings and good feedback, I decided to develop it into a full show.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I love theater that is simple. It's always the story that I care about. The spectacle, the big names, that's all fluff. Earlier this year, I saw Machinal by Sophie Treadwell. I had never seen a production of it before, but was familiar with the play having read it in an American drama class in college. The story, almost 100 years later, still held up. THAT to me was SHOCKING. But in a good way. She captured something so true about the human condition, that even a century later, a society of Facebook and smart phones, could still connect.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Sarah Ruhl and Anne Kauffman come to mind.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: I recently saw Hedwig and thought it was such a wild fun ride. That's definitely one to check out.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Mario Lopez in "Manrover"
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Sour patch kids. They are sooo good!
What’s the most played song on your iTunes?: Right now - "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith....
If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: Running a Facebook-like social network, and preparing to go IPO. ;-)
What’s up next?: I'm fully committed to Baba and seeing that the show is as successful as possible so I am currently submitting the show to other festivals and venues. But if you know anyone that needs an actor, please let me know.
