Actor Ian Lowe discusses his role in the workshop of the new musical comedy by Matt Schatz, Love Trapezoid

The APAC Workshop of Matt Schatz’s new musical comedy Love Trapezoid is coming up fast.

As the first showing — February 10th at 8pm — approaches, we caught up with actor Ian Lowe to find out his perspective on what it’s like to be part of this process.

Enjoy!

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR YOU AS AN ACTOR WORKING ON LOVE TRAPEZOID IN THE APAC WORKSHOP ENVIRONMENT?

They’re all fun challenges! When working on a new piece like this, you have the luxury of having the writer in the room for rehearsals, and you also have to be ready to roll with changes. That means we may get a particular scene staged or certain music learned on one day, but then there will be rewrites, and we may have to start over on that scene at the next rehearsal. It can be challenging, but it’s one of the exciting things about being involved with a new project’s development.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER. WHAT HAVE YOU DISCOVERED DURING REHEARSALS?

Eric is a graduate student in the Robotics program at Carnegie Mellon. In other words – big nerd! I can relate since I’m a nerd too. Eric’s probably a hit with the nerdy girls in the Robotics program, but he’s never dated anyone like Betty Lou. She’s a theater person, she’s cosmopolitan. It’s really exciting and a bit foreign to Eric. They are both creative people though, which I think is a part of the attraction — she creates musicals, he creates robots. I also think that he’s the kind of guy who really wears his heart on his sleeve, and I love that about him.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE PIECE SO FAR?

I love Matt Schatz’s music. The songs are simple, melodic, and very catchy, and the lyrics are so clever. They flow naturally from the story and dialogue too, which also makes them fun to perform.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH APAC?

I’m thrilled to work with such talented and creative people. Also, being an Astorian myself, I love that there is amazing, professional theater to be done and seen only a few minutes from my doorstep!

WHAT’S UP NEXT FOR YOU? TELL US ABOUT IT.

Love Trapezoid on Broadway? Here’s hoping! Outside of acting, I’m working with the Forestburgh Playhouse (a summer theater where I’ve worked many times as an actor) to help them cast some roles in their 2012 season. Other than that, it’s back to auditioning!!

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RESERVE YOUR SEATS

Love Trapezoid, a new musical comedy by Matt Schatz – An APAC Workshop
February 10 – 18, Fri-Sat at 8pm, Suggested Donation $10

Email to reserve: BoxOffice@APACny.org (please put RSVP Love Trapezoid in the subject line)

Where: Good Shepherd United Methodist Church
30-44 Crescent St (@30th Rd)
Astoria, NY 11102

Directions: Take the N/Q to 30th Avenue. Walk down 30th Ave toward the Trade Fair supermarket, past Mt. Sinai Hospital of Queens. Turn left on Crescent Street, then right on 30th Rd. The entrance is the second set of red doors on your left. Street parking only.

Actor David Perlman on the new musical comedy Love Trapezoid

Rehearsals are well underway for the APAC Workshop of Matt Schatz’s new musical comedy Love Trapezoid. 

As the first showing — February 10th at 8pm — approaches, we caught up with actor David Perlman to find out his perspective on what it’s like to be part of this process.

Enjoy!

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR YOU AS AN ACTOR WORKING ON LOVE TRAPEZOID IN THE APAC WORKSHOP ENVIRONMENT?

This workshop environment is actually incredibly freeing as an actor. Because we have more time to rehearse and less pressure to end with a completely frozen version of the show, it allows more opportunity to really explore different options and to see how they work. The biggest challenge in the end may actually be trying to decide which version of the show works best! Or maybe it will be completely obvious. We’ll see.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER. WHAT HAVE YOU DISCOVERED DURING REHEARSALS?

I am having a lot of fun playing three different characters: a gay musical theater composer, his straight, eccentrically odd twin brother, and a robot. I have to thank Matt for writing these characters so specifically and with such distinct voices. It is the best kind of challenge to not only have to flesh out one or two, but three different characters in the same show!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE PIECE SO FAR?

I love the way the dialogue is written. It is so surprisingly funny in a very natural way. I can also really identify with the themes of trying to balance out one’s passion for their art with a romantic relationship.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH APAC?

I love that everyone who works at APAC is so clearly passionate about the theater company and each specific piece that is produced. No one is in it for the money; everyone is in it for the creative process. I think that that spurs the best experience and the best results.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

I’m thrilled to be getting the chance to work with Tom Wojtunik again. He directed me in The Who’s Tommy at the Gallery Players a few years ago, but once was certainly not enough! I am a huge fan of his work, and I think he is an incredibly smart director who both supports and challenges his actors. He is a rare find!

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RESERVE YOUR SEATS

Love Trapezoid, a new musical comedy by Matt Schatz – An APAC Workshop
February 10 – 18, Fri-Sat at 8pm, Suggested Donation $10

Email to reserve: BoxOffice@APACny.org (please put RSVP Love Trapezoid in the subject line)

Where: Good Shepherd United Methodist Church
30-44 Crescent St (@30th Rd)
Astoria, NY 11102

Directions: Take the N/Q to 30th Avenue. Walk down 30th Ave toward the Trade Fair supermarket, past Mt. Sinai Hospital of Queens. Turn left on Crescent Street, then right on 30th Rd. The entrance is the second set of red doors on your left. Street parking only.

Playwright and songwriter Matt Schatz talks about his new musical Love Trapezoid

Starting February 10th, we’ll be presenting the first ever APAC Workshop of a new musical, Matt Schatz’s Love Trapezoid.

Called a “versatile playwright-lyricist-composer” by The New York Times, we caught up with the playwright and songwriter to find out about the role this process will play in the development of his musical.

WE’RE EXCITED TO PRESENT LOVE TRAPEZOID AS THE VERY FIRST APAC WORKSHOP. HOW IMPORTANT IS THE APAC WORKSHOP TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR MUSICAL?

It’s incredibly important. I started writing Love Trapezoid in 2008 and since then it’s had a handful of readings and presentations. It’s been developed by the Ensemble Studio Theatre, Page 73, and a couple of other places. Songs and excerpted scenes have been performed at cabaret shows and concerts, and we even did a 10:00 PM staged reading outside, underneath a tent at the Southampton Writers Conference last summer. Still, the show still has never really “been done.” The word “workshop” is thrown around a lot and it can mean many different things. But in this case, APAC is giving me the opportunity to do Love Trapezoid completely staged with the performers off book, and with a music director and a full band. Set pieces, props and lighting will be minimal, but this will the first chance to see how well the show actually works, and if I’m insane for thinking that I could write a full-length musical all by myself. I’m excited. And terrified.

TELL US ABOUT LOVE TRAPEZOID: HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE PIECE? WHAT WAS IT THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WRITE IT?

Well, I’ve been writing plays and songs for a really long time, but I didn’t really write my first musical until 2007 when I was in Youngblood at EST, and after that, I realized that writing musicals was probably what I was meant to do. I joined the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop and for the first time I started writing lyrics for other composers. Collaborating on musical theater songs is unique, I think, even when compared to composers and lyricists working together in other genres and disciplines. You’re working together to make something so specific and fragile. You’re sharing a voice with someone who doesn’t even really speak the same language as you do. And you also, somehow, have to tell a story. It’s nerve-wracking and embarrassing and horrifying, but the results can be quite wonderful. It’s like a marriage. Or maybe it’s more like being a parent.

At some point, I became fascinated with the idea with what would happen if a lyricist lost her composer collaborator—lost half of her voice. It was around that time I heard a story on the WNYC show Radiolab about a software program that was able to analyze the music of composers and turn out “original” pieces in that composer’s voice.

I got the idea for a modern musical comedy about a lyricist who, after the sudden death of her composer/collaborator uses a similar program to work with her dearly departed partner posthumously. I pitched the idea to the Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Science and Technology project and they gave me a commission to write it. And then I actually had to write it.

Love Trapezoid is what came out. I think of it as my baby and this workshop is its first day of school.

EVERY PIECE PRESENTS ITS OWN SET OF CHALLENGES, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN THIS PROCESS?

Love Trapezoid may be about collaboration, but I wrote the whole thing (script, music and lyrics) all by myself. It’s going to be a challenge knowing when to wear what hat, or when to take off my hats or let Tom Wojtunik (our director) and/or Eli Zoller (our music director) wear some of the hats. Or maybe we’ll all be wearing hats.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH APAC?

I love APAC. I’ve now seen three shows and a reading there and I’ve been impressed with each in different ways.

After seeing APAC’s terrific production of Joshua Conkel’s MilkMilkLemonade, I mailed Tom the Love Trapezoid script and demo recordings the old fashioned way. I also included a letter saying something like, “I live in Queens and my musical takes place partly in Queens; this show should be done in Queens.” Tom responded more quickly than any Artistic Director ever has and apologized for taking so long to get back to me. I schlepped all the way from my apartment in Sunnyside to meet Tom in Astoria for a beer. I don’t like beer, but I did like Tom and the rest is history. Or more accurately, the rest is the near future.

WHAT’S UP NEXT FOR YOU? TELL US ABOUT IT.

I have a piece in this year’s Humana Festival of New American Plays at the Actors Theatre of Louisville in the spring called Oh, Gastronomy!, which they commissioned for their amazing member apprentice company and was co-written with the great Carson Kreitzer, Mike Golamco, Steve Moulds and Tanya Saracho; it’s about food and I wrote a lot of fun songs. I have another musical that I’m writing with West Hyler that is scheduled for a workshop this summer at the Great River Shakespeare Festival. I’m also working on a eighties hip-hop basketball musical called Dunkfest ’88, which is taking a long time to write, but I consider it my life’s work.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

I’m really proud of Love Trapezoid and I’m thrilled that APAC is presenting it. I think everyone in New York should come see it. And if it’s not the funniest, most original, most heartbreaking, three-actor, three-chord musical about love and technology ever written, I will eat all of my hats.

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RESERVE YOUR SEATS

Love Trapezoid, a new musical comedy by Matt Schatz – An APAC Workshop
February 10 – 18, Fri-Sat at 8pm, Suggested Donation $10

Email to reserve: BoxOffice@APACny.org (please put RSVP Love Trapezoid in the subject line)

Where: Good Shepherd United Methodist Church
30-44 Crescent St (@30th Rd)
Astoria, NY 11102

Directions: Take the N/Q to 30th Avenue. Walk down 30th Ave toward the Trade Fair supermarket, past Mt. Sinai Hospital of Queens. Turn left on Crescent Street, then right on 30th Rd. The entrance is the second set of red doors on your left. Street parking only.

APAC Artistic Director and Director of the Love Trapezoid APAC Workshop

As we continue with our goal to bring new works to Astoria, we are proud to introduce the APAC Workshop.

This season we’ll be presenting a new musical, Love Trapezoid by Matt Schatz directed by our very own artistic director, Tom Wojtunik.

In this interview Tom discusses where the APAC Workshop falls in the 2011-2012 season.

THIS HAS BEEN A SEASON OF FIRSTS AT APAC — A WORLD PREMIERE AND COMING UP NEXT IS THE VERY FIRST APAC WORKSHOP. WHAT CAN AUDIENCES EXPECT FROM THE WORKSHOP? HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM A MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION OR A READING?

Love Trapezoid by Matt Schatz will be the first ever APAC Workshop, and we are very much looking forward to it. The workshop will live between an APAC Mainstage and a Staged Reading. It’ll be different from a full production in the sense that there won’t be a real set or costumes. But the actors will be off-book and fully “staged”, and there will be a small band. It’s like we are rehearsing a mainstage and right before the technical elements are added, we stop and invite the audience in.

Another major difference is that we won’t be inviting press to review the workshop. It’s really about giving Matt the time to explore the material in a safe way; we’re only performing two weekends, and we’ve allowed rehearsal time in the schedule between the weekends, in case Matt wants to make changes after seeing it in front of an audience. Also, it’s a $10 suggested donation to see the workshop (unlike the $18 ticket price for an APAC Mainstage).

At an APAC Staged Reading, the actors are at music stands with the script in front of them, so this is definitely more advanced than that. It’s an opportunity for our audience to be a part of the development of a new musical, and we can’t wait to add them in—the audience is the last missing ingredient.

TELL US ABOUT THE PIECE YOU’VE SELECTED: HOW DID YOU FIND IT? WHAT WAS IT THAT MADE YOU WANT TO DEVELOP IT?

Matt Schatz sent me the script last year, after seeing MilkMilkLemonade. Matt and I had crossed paths at Ensemble Studio Theatre, but I wasn’t that familiar with his work. I liked the piece immediately. It’s not a traditional musical—structurally it feels more like a play in many ways. I loved the music and loved the characters.

After talking to Matt about the possiblity of APAC working on it, I learned that while it has been received successfully in a number of readings, it’s never been developed “on its feet”, and we both agreed the musical could really benefit from that type of exploration.

EVERY PIECE PRESENTS ITS OWN SET OF CHALLENGES, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WITH THIS WORKSHOP?

Love Trapezoid takes places in a lot of different locations, so finding ways to make it clear for the audience where we are in a workshop setting is definitely a challenge. The tone of the piece is also important—in many ways it’s a romantic comedy, but there are some elements of it that are larger than life, so it’s important to weave the right spell, or you’ll lose the audience.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING PART OF THIS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS?

Working with new people. My favorite thing about theater is how collaborative it is, and developing a new musical is about as collaborative as you get. It’s exciting to have Matt in the room for the entire process, and to learn about the piece from the actors in rehearsal. Musical Director Eli Zoller is also extremely valuable in this process.

WHAT’S UP NEXT FOR APAC? TELL US ABOUT IT.

In May we will produce a revival of the Broadway musical The Secret Garden by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon. I’m ridiculously stoked about it—I’m directing, and we’re reuniting almost the entire creative team from last season’s The Human Comedy. It’s a beautiful show with a breathtaking score, and I’m thrilled about the ideas that are percolating.

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RESERVE YOUR SEATS

Love Trapezoid, a new musical comedy by Matt Schatz – An APAC Workshop
February 10 – 18, Fri-Sat at 8pm, Suggested Donation $10

Email to reserve: BoxOffice@APACny.org (please put RSVP Love Trapezoid in the subject line)

Where: Good Shepherd United Methodist Church
30-44 Crescent St (@30th Rd)
Astoria, NY 11102

Directions: Take the N/Q to 30th Avenue. Walk down 30th Ave toward the Trade Fair supermarket, past Mt. Sinai Hospital of Queens. Turn left on Crescent Street, then right on 30th Rd. The entrance is the second set of red doors on your left. Street parking only.

You can grab your copy locally in Astoria.

Take these APAC men home with you today by going to:

SITE, located at 35-11 34th Avenue, between 35th and 36th Streets (Holiday Store Hours: Open everyday, 11-8pm)

It’s going to be a fantastic year!

Director: Tom Wojtunik
Musical Director: Eli Zoller
Casting Director: wojcik|seay casting

AEA Showcase (Approval Pending) – No pay/Travel stipend only.

DO NOT SUBMIT DIRECTLY TO APAC OR ANY APAC STAFF MEMBERS.

This is a developmental workshop.

Love Trapezoid was originally commissioned by The Ensemble Studio Theatre/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Science & Technology Project, and has been developed and read by EST, Page 73, and the Southampton Arts Project.

Auditions: 1/4, 1/5  – evenings, by appointment only

Callbacks: 1/10/12 – evening by appointment

Prepare: Music and sides will be provided. And made available via wscastingonline.com

Submissions due by 12/19/12, Electronic only through Actors Access or via email at:
submission@wscastingonline.com (put LOVE TRAPEZOID in subject line of email)

Location: Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 30-44 Crescent St, Astoria, NY 11102
Directions: Take the N/Q to 30th Avenue. Walk down 30th Ave toward the Trade Fair Supermarket, continue past Mt. Sinai Hospital of Queens. Turn left on Crescent Street, then right on 30th Rd. The entrance is the second set of red doors on your left. Street parking only.

Rehearses: 1/15 – 2/9 (weekday eves & weekends, based on actor avail)
Performs: 2/10 – 2/18 (Fri & Sat 8p)

ALL ETHNICITIES ENCOURAGED TO AUDITION.
SEEKING STRONG ACTOR-SINGERS.

A new musical comedy that examines art, technology, and everything we use to grieve the loss of someone that we love, featuring a quirky indie-rock with elements of folk and country.

BETTY LOU MANDELL: Female, late 20s-early 30s. Quirky and cute, sexy without trying. Writes musicals, a little neurotic. Easy, folk-ish sound, alto.

ERIC O’BRIEN: Male, late 20s-early 30s. Graduate student in robotics at CMU. Above average intelligence, good natured and down to earth. Compared to the rest of his classmates, he does okay with the ladies. Easy, folk-ish sound, baritenor.

ROBERT SPECTOR: Male, mid-late 20s. Gay musical theatre writer. Actor also doubles as DAN (Robert’s straight brother) and NANCY (a robot). Looking for a wildly inventive character actor. Ideally plays guitar, but not required. Baritenor.

Who are the 2012 Men of APAC? Find out on December 12th, 2011.

Join us on Monday, Dec. 12th for delicious cocktails and appetizers as we announce our 2012 calendar models.

Calendar models? That’s right. APAC has put together a 2012 Men of APAC Calendar featuring some of the fantastic men who have worked with us on and off stage over the years.

Come rub elbows with the stars of the calendar and be the first to purchase your very own copy at a very special Holiday Party — all in support of APAC!

We look forward to seeing you there.

The Details

WHEN:
Monday, December 12th
6:00-10:00pm

WHERE:
DiWine
41-15 31st Avenue @ 42nd Street in Astoria
Directions

TICKETS:
$15 (Includes one free drink, free appetizers, and one free ticket to opening weekend of APAC’s Spring production of The Secret Garden. ½ price drinks during the party.)

Pay at the door, cash or check only

RSVP:
RSVP in advance by emailing events@apacny.org
Tickets also available at the door.

* 2012 Men of APAC Calendars available for purchase at the party. Can’t make the party? Order your calendar online here.

Moderated by Literary Manager Jennifer Lane, the panelists will discuss the development of A Hard Wall at High Speed and where new play development fits into APAC’s future.

This event is free to audience members attending the 2pm matinee performance on Saturday, Nov. 12th.

Buy tickets for this performance.

Come for the theater, stay for the food. (Photo: Sac's Slice by Chichi Wang)

Of course we love the theater in Astoria but we also love to eat. And you’ll be sure to find some of the best food right in our favorite borough.

As you know nothing goes together like a night at the theater and great meal.

Whether it’s before the show or after, here are some of the best Astoria restaurants we know you’ll enjoy as much as we do!

Nom-nom-nom. Enjoy!

The Astor Room

Take a step back in time in a new Astoria restaurant that celebrates the glory of a bygone era in American and cinematic history. It is a contemporary interpretation of the American Supper Club where classic dishes, master-crafted cocktails, superb service, warm hospitality and fabulous entertainment combine to offer a truly unique dining experience.

See the full menu online.

Located: 34-12 36th St. (near corner of 35th Ave), 718.255.1947

DiWine

A beautiful, intimate wine bar and restaurant with a romantic atmosphere.

Offers a selection of global wines, infused cocktails, and artisan food. We love their amazing cocktails.

See the full menu online.

Located: 41-15 31st Avenue (Betw. 41st and 42nd Streets), 718.777.1355

Pachanga Patterson

A mash-up of Mexican and NYC cuisine, the food here is fresh, delicious, uncomplicated and without pretense. It’s a family meal Mexican style.

We love that Pachanga Patterson supports local farmers and artisans!

See the full menu online.

Located: 33-17 31st Avenue (Betw. 33rd and 34th Streets), 718. 554.0525

Sac’s Place

An intimate, Italian restaurant family owned and operated by the brothers, Anthony and Domenico Sacramone. Many dishes on the menu are treasured secrets of their mother, Maddalena.

You’ll love the extensive wine list and renowned coal oven pizza. And don’t miss Momma’s delicious lasagna!

See the full menu online.

Located: 25-41 Broadway (@ 29th Street), 718.204.5002

Sweet Afton

An unpretentious local bar for those who enjoy good company and friendly conversation.

Enjoy solid drinks and honest locally sourced food. Try the beer battered fried McClure’s Brooklyn pickles!

See the full menus online.

Located: 30-09 34th Street (@ 30th Avenue), 718.777.2570

Vesta Vino

A neighborhood wine bar and restaurant offering simple and Italian-inspired favorites guided by the local greenmarket. Enjoy their wines by the shot, glass or bottle.

Everything on the menu is delicious but you absolutely must have the baby Jesus cake for dessert!

See the full menu online.

Located: 21-01 30th Avenue (@21st Street), 718.545.5550

Winegasm Eatery

A beautiful wine bar with a bistro like feel. Open kitchen is serving shareable portions of delicious Mediterranean tapas late into the night. Ideal for a romantic dinner or small to medium groups. Sample wine flights from around the world or enjoy some of their amazing specialty cocktails. Chocolate fondue special for couples!

See the full menu online.

Located: 31-86 37th Street (around corner from Broadway, toward 31st Avenue), 718.932.3331

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Photo: Chichi Wang

Director May Adrales shares what attracted her to A Hard Wall at High Speed

Even with rehearsals for the world premiere of Ashlin Halfnight’s A Hard Wall at High Speed (opening November 3rd) well under way, director May Adrales took some time to share what drew her to the project.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH ASHLIN HALFNIGHT’S A HARD WALL AT HIGH SPEED?

Tom Wojtunik and I had been friends and colleagues for years, and I’ve always greatly respected and admired him and was especially impressed when he told me about his vision for APAC and his desire to produce and support world premieres. He sent me the script, and as soon as I read it, I knew I wanted to work on it. Beautifully drawn complex characters, a poignant and powerful premise and a plot that kept the pages turning. For a lover of new plays, this one, I knew, was gold.

WHAT DO YOU PERCEIVE AS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE DIRECTING THIS PLAY?

Working on a new play is like building a house on a moving foundation sometimes. The structure is strong because you have a lot of talents involved- the writer, actors, designers and all the producing and production staff. But the text, which is the basis of the work, is always evolving and changing. And everyone has to be flexible and game as they work on shifting ground.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THIS PROCESS?

I think my favorite part is what I described above. It’s amazing to excavate a text so new and untried with talented smart people.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH APAC?

The “Can Do” attitude. And how people enjoy the work and it shows in every aspect.

WHAT’S YOUR NEXT PROJECT? TELL US ABOUT IT.

Well, we open on A Hard Wall at High Speed on Nov. 3rd and I run the NYC marathon Nov. 6th!

But for theater projects…

I’m working my Shakespeare chops directing Love’s Labour’s lost at NYU and directing a workshop of a new play by Jordan Seavey, The Funny Pain. A brilliant, funny, and touching new play about a girl with a neurological disorder who can’t feel pain and her sister who is only interested in causing pain.

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The world goes crazy when Ashlin Halfnight’s A Hard Wall At High Speed premieres November 3, 2011 and runs through November 19, 2011 at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 30-44 Crescent St (@30th Rd), Astoria, NY 11102.

Get your tickets here.