Q: I heard people laughing. I think..out of nervousness, not really understanding the
symbolism.
BP: Yeah...It really uncorked a lot of feelings, and then when the reviews came out, things started to even out. That period of my life is about as rock and roll as I've ever lived through and Oleanna is reminding me of that. It does feel like the audiences are being tweaked into a different level of engagement.
Q: Do you long to play any role...any Shakesperean role like King Lear?
BP: I did a lot of Shakespeare touring when I was in college in Montana..there are some great comical moments as in Measure for Measure, the Duke. I've always liked Sam Shepard's plays too. I love his language, his word choices. One of the first things I did in New York that was a real breakout for me was The Curse of the Starving Class ...
...now I'm ready to play the older guy.
Q: Let's get back to Oleanna. What are the greatest challenges for an actor performing Mamet?
BP: I think you have to find where you're emotionalized personally and then make sure you don't make it become Talking Heads...and it's a bear too because the language is fractured and ...there's no hiding. During rehearsal...I have these 2 fast changes in the second act and my fly was down. And this is the kind of play where that can be dangerous. There's no place to hide and I turned upstage...and I just couldn't get it. (laughs) ...The play is very much a living organism. Rehearsals...explorations to find the execution ...and I'm looking forward to the run of it too. Theatre is such a privilege, for those of us who get the chance to do it. With an audience you learn so much and the challenges just get deeper.
Be sure to catch Oleanna starring Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles at the Mark Taper Forum until July 12. For tix call (213) 628-2772 or go online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org
Producer Jeffrey Finn announced on June 30th that the CTG production of Oleanna, will have its first-ever Broadway production as part of the 2009-2010 Broadway Season. Starring Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles and directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes, the play is a gripping account of a power struggle between a male university professor and one of his female students.
The Broadway production will begin previews on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at The Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street) with an Opening Night set for Sunday, October 11, 2009. Tickets will go on sale beginning Sunday, July 19, 2009 and will be available for purchase through visiting Telecharge.com or calling (212) 239-6200.
Photo by Craig Schwartz
