A Coffee Shop Tete-a-Tete On Founding and Realizing a Theater Company
Meet actress and Greenpointer Kate Russell as she tenderly grills Dennis Flanagan, both of the Apothecary Theatre Company about their upcoming Off-Broadway production of Richard Taylor's In God's Hat. The show runs at Playwrights Horizons from July 14-August 7, and stars Emmy Award Winner Tom Pelphrey, company members Dennis Flanagan and Rhett Rossi, and Gary Francis-Hope. Ms. Russell and Mr. Flanagan are respectively the Artistic Associate and Executive Director of the group and they got together recently to bring you a caffeinated, behind the curtains look at the pre-preview of In God's Hat and beyond.
Kate Russell: Ah, Dennis, here we are…the infamous Brooklyn-coffee-shop-office-hours… Did you think three years ago when you sat here and pitched the idea of a company we would be mounting a remarkable, original work Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons?
Dennis Flanagan: It wasn't out of the realm of possibility that I hoped for this company. It has happened along the right track with no major delays which is surprising. And seeing the show in its production state though is quite remarkable. We were doing notes in the lobby of the theater last night and it was a bit surreal when I looked out the window and realized we are in Times Square, in Manhattan, mounting our show. Bit crazy.
Kate: I remember when you were kicking around ideas for a name. We were walking down the street after we got a group of our favorite actors in a room to read LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT. (That night, that reading was what really got us jazzed, I think.) I think I asked you to name it after me… a bad attempt at being funny…I know, I know… I'm not funny…BUT thankfully, you chose Apothecary instead. What was it about "Apothecary" that struck you so?
Dennis: I don't really know. It kind of came to me, I remember exactly when it came to me, and I fell in love with it. Then I started to BS a bit and make up reasons for why it worked and found out that it really does. We are combining some really incredible elements and with our training, have this great mix of Meisner technique and really using the language, but most importantly, we mesh well with the technical teams we put together. Everyone speaks the same language. So yes, Apothecary. Number 2 idea was The Kate Russell Company. Both viable options.
Kate: Ha! As the executive director of the the company and an actor currently performing in IN GOD'S HAT, you're juggling a few hats if not what feels like many. Are you ever able to turn off the business switch completely? How do you navigate being the CEO as well as the actor who must roll with the punches and allow himself to be lead by a director and assisant director and stage manager? Does wearing one hat come more naturally to you? And have you grown into one hat more-so than the other since you moved to Brooklyn from LA and formed your own theatre company?
Dennis: Its a learning process. Our first show I felt so overwhelmed and couldn't quite put the right effort into my acting. But what I learned and changed for this show is surrounding yourself with people who are incredibly good at what they do and prepare. Prepare months (in this case a year and a half) before the production starts so you can free yourself as the actor. You re never free really to let the show go, too many balls in the air depend on your decisions, but as long as you have the answers or someone in the room to help choose a direction, things go very smoothly. I enjoy the craze now, in every hat I wear.
Kate: You and Shawn (Apothecary Resident Artist Director) are roommates. So your lovely little apartment in East Williamsburg is essentially Apothecary Headquarters. If you could open up the official Apothecary Theatre Center in and around your neighborhood, would you? Do you think our fellow Brooklyn-ites would respond to the call?
Dennis: God, I would hope. There's so many artists in the area. I went to St. Ann's Warehouse this winter in Brooklyn and fell in love with what they're doing over there. Apothecary could easily be moved here and I think people would respond, especially if the theater was on the waterfront area which I thought about when I first moved here. Use the Williamsburg Bridge and East River as the Thames and turn a space into a modern-day Globe Theater. We'll see…
Kate: That would be amazing. I know your heart and mind are on overload right now, but if you could take a second to think about what's in store for Apothecary post- IN GOD'S HAT…what would you see or hope to see? Where do you want the company to be in five years?
Dennis: Yes, overload…but I hope to continue the next two years into developing an audience and original works and mounting seasons of shows so we can eventually look into investing in a home for our little company. I love our Development Series, which we invite the public to a staged reading of a new play. So many people have gotten used to not listening to the playwright's words and this is a unique experience. I plan on continuing to produce those, especially after In God's Hat's production.
Kate: Remember the Cave in Williamsburg that we used for Crazy. Sexy. Dead., our very first production? What other spaces in Brooklyn have you used to rehearse/workshop in? Which one is your favorite?
Dennis: I've only used the Cave. I love it there, its very convenient and affordable. Which is a plus. We use our apartment for most readings though and I love the intimacy of our little Williamsburg space.
Kate: The cast and crew have officially moved into the space at Playwright's Horizons…what is it about the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre that serves the play so well?
Dennis: Well it's a double-edged sword. Immediately, you get a little prestige and an incredible tool for marketing your company. But, it ain't cheap. The space is beautiful. This show is for the audience. Come in, be comfortable, and enjoy the show. Our first show was in a black box theater, duct tape on the seats, and people's knees riding into each other's backs. So this time around, it's a thank you for coming to the first show. I am not sure where we'll migrate after IGH, but its been an exciting experience to be in the Peter Jay.
Kate: I've known you for many years now, Den, and you're a wonderful guy that's always got a smile on your face. When I walked into the first run through during the rehearsal process. I was afraid to come up and give you a hug. My initial impulse was to stay out of your way. This was before the play even started, mind you. What kind of homework, research, and crafting did you have to do in order to play Arthur Cruter, a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, who borders on a particular kind of evil?
Dennis: I just shaved my head. (laughing) No, that's cool you were scared. The playwright Richard Taylor helped me out a lot. The AB is a vehicle, plus Cruter is a Neo-Nazi psychopath with ambition. To get into that kind of guy, the internet has been my best friend. My search engine is probably a little rundown and feeling uncomfortable, but it's been a blast to find Arthur.
Kate: Can you allude to one of your favorite moments in this thriller? Don't tell us what happens of course.
Dennis: Ha! Ha, No way! I will promise though, anyone who comes can choose their favorite thriller moment. There's a few…
Kate: Between you and I and amongst the company we know how damn exciting all this is; the inception of this stellar, compelling and profound new drama into the theatre world. But naturally we want to share it with the community. What would you tell a Brooklyn dweller to inspire them to get up on out of the borough for an evening and into midtown Manhattan for the world premiere of IN GOD'S HAT?
Dennis: Good question. Me and Tommy (Pelphrey) were talking about how rare it is when a show feels like IGH does right now. We are so proud of it and would invite anyone and everyone to come. I would tell anyone for $18 you are getting an evening of the highest caliber theatre, with real depth and profoundness. I can't wait to share it with our community. Very very excited.
Kate Russell (pictured with Shawn, Dennis and Tom) is an actor, director, and teaching artist as well as the Artistic Associate of the Apothecary Theatre Company based in Williamsburg.
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