There’s just one weekend left for the APAC Workshop of Matt Schatz’s new musical comedy Love Trapezoid.

With only two shows left — February 17th and 18th at 8pm — we caught up with actor Lauren Marcus to find out what it’s been 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?

I think I should probably say that the biggest challenge of this workshop is all of the rewrites or the fleshing out of material that has never had a full production…the coming into rehearsal and getting brand new pages to learn after you’ve spent the previous night memorizing old ones, or reading a scene that may not make entire sense to you as an actor and then having to carefully broach the subject with the writer, director, music director, stage managers, and other actors in the room…but truth be told, I LOVE those parts of a workshop! So “challenge” might be the wrong word.

A workshop is always intense because you’re working on a piece that has probably never been done/seen before in its entirety, and many aspects of the show you’d be used to having from the get-go (a set script, lyrics, plot, etc.) are not necessarily all mapped out for you and can change at any moment. Lots of problem solving and quick thinking by everyone! It’s hard, but in the most fun way possible. Like a really good game of Scrabble. Playing a really good game of Scrabble is similar to how I feel about being in APAC’s workshop of Love Trapezoid.

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

From the very first Love Trapezoid audition I have found Betty Lou to be such a funny and likable character. But last night during rehearsal, I really started to zero in on the less-charming sides of her. I began thinking about the loss she suffers within the first few scenes of the show, and how it’s that tremendous loss that marks the beginning of her journey towards both love and artistic fulfillment. For the first time, I found myself thinking about Betty Lou starting out on this journey in a wounded state. She means well and is trying her best, but she doesn’t quite have all of her resources and uses twisty ways of getting to where she needs to be. To me she IS funny and likable, but she does some unlikable things and that is very fun to play around with during rehearsal.

I have also discovered that Betty Lou is a lot better with one-liners than me.

I think my hair is better, though.

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

I have a lot of favorite parts, and I imagine I’ll have new favorite parts in another week. I don’t want to give anything away, but right now I love hearing (a.) the character of Eric explain why he was trying to sneak out of Betty Lou’s hotel room, and (b.) the character of Dan sing a song about seeing a particularly influential musical when he and his twin brother were children.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH APAC?

Pita Hot, located one block away.

That, and everyone’s unwavering commitment at the theater to putting on the best possible show (workshop! I mean workshop!!) while having a good time. Every single person in the rehearsal room has opinions and suggestions and cares, and likes to laugh. I think Tom really makes the rehearsal room a fun and easy place to be.

I also worked on a production at APAC a few years ago (The Children’s Hour), and could not be more proud of the final product we put on that stage. I had people come to the theater not knowing at all what to expect who were completely blown away…people who were my parents AND people who were not my parents.

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

Right now I’m working on readings for a few new shows, auditioning, and I’m really trying to play more of my own music live. Music that I write. Mainly on the ukulele. After seeing Love Trapezoid, this may make you laugh.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD?

That I’m happy to be part of this workshop! And that I’m extremely embarrassed that for the first day after finding out I was involved in it, I went around spelling trapezoid incorrectly.

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RESERVE YOUR SEATS

Love Trapezoid, a new musical comedy by Matt Schatz – An APAC Workshop
February 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, Fri-Sat at 8pm, Suggested Donation $10

Email to reserve: [email protected] (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.