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| The cast of Desperate Measures at the York. Photo: Carol Rosegg |
Will in the West
Peter Kellogg sat down with
playwright William Shakespeare on April 23rd, his 454th
Birthday, to ask him about his new musical, Desperate Measures, set to open soon at
New World Stages. Here’s
what he had to say:
Q: First of all,
Happy Birthday, Will. How does it feel
to be 454 years old?
With mirth and
laughter, let old wrinkles come.
That’s
a very nice sentiment. Now to Desperate Measures: You usually do all the writing yourself. What was it like collaborating with David
Friedman and Peter Kellogg on a musical version of one of your plays?
Misery acquaints
a man with strange bedfellows.
When
they first mentioned the idea of turning Measure
for Measure into a 6-person Western, set in the 19th century
with country and western music, what was your reaction?
Lord, what fools
these mortals be.
But
when they explained how much you could make with a hit musical, when they
showed you the weekly box office from Hamilton
and Book of Mormon, what did you say
then?
Westward-ho!
I
understand there were some rocky moments in the collaboration. What was your opinion after reading Peter’s
first draft of the libretto?
Past hope, past
cure, past help!
What
did you think when you discovered that, though they retained “the bed trick”
from the original play, they cut “the head trick” entirely?
This was the
most unkindest cut of all.
But
instead of giving up on the project then and there, you asked David to play you
some of the music from the score. What
was your reaction then?
O! It came o’er
my ear like the sweet sound that breathes upon a bank of violets.
Your
director, Bill Castellino, has received high praise for his direction of the
musical, Cagney. But that’s a very
different kind of show. Desperate
Measures seems to be more of a comic romp. What’s your opinion of him so far?
A fellow of
infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.
You
also managed to procure an amazing cast for the original York production: Emma
Degerstedt, Gary Marachek, Lauren Molina, Conor Ryan, Peter Saide and Nick
Wyman. What did you think of their
performances?
O, wonderful,
wonderful and most wonderful. And after
that, out of all whooping!
Did
you offer any advice to the cast, seeing as you too were an actor in your day?
Eat no onion or
garlic, for we are to utter sweet breath.
Jim
Morgan and The York Theatre are known throughout the country for helping to
develop and nurture new musicals. What
was it like working with them?
Now is the
winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun of York.
Glad
it was a positive experience. And now to
the upcoming production: five of the original cast are returning to reprise their
roles at New World Stages. How does that
make you feel?
I can no other
answer make but thanks, and thanks; and ever thanks.
The
one new cast member is Sarah Parnicky. She’s
playing Susanna, the novice nun. What’s
your opinion of her so far?
O she doth teach
the torches to burn bright!
Impressive. Now, let’s talk about your producers: Pat
Flicker Addiss took over the production at The York and extended it for over
100 performances. Pat was also a lead
producer of Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike
(which won a Tony); and A Christmas Story. What’s it been like working with her? Though
she be but little, yet she is fierce.
And
now Pat is being joined by Mary Cossette - Vanya,
Sonia, Masha and Spike, and Will
Roger’s Follies - to bring Desperate
Measures to New World Stages. What
do you think of them as a team?
The very life-blood
of our enterprise.
I
know the reviews were universally excellent at The York. One of the critics, Peter Filichia, even called
it “The funniest, most tuneful, non-stop, slam-bang, best musical of the
season. What’s your impression of him?
A Daniel come to
judgment! Yea, a Daniel! O wise young
judge, how I do honour thee.
And
yet, even though show was so successful at The York, it’s taken you five months
to move it to another theatre. Why is
that?
First thing we
do, let’s kill all the lawyers.
I
get the picture. So what’s your
prediction for this new production and the future of this show?
A hit! A very palpable hit!
Last
question: Any advice to theatregoers who come to see Desperate Measures at New
World Stages? Prepare for mirth, for mirth becomes a feast.
---------
Peter Kellogg (Anna Karenina) has written the books and lyrics for Desperate Measures, the Lortel-nominated musical which played a multi-extended, sold-out run at the York Theatre earlier this season. It will re-open this June at New World Stages. Music is by David Friedman (Listen To My Heart); direction is by Bill Castellino (Cagney, Marry Harry).
Desperate Measures features:
Lauren Molina (Rock of Ages) as Bella Rose
Conor Ryan ("Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert") as Johnny Blood
Gary Marachek (Eleanor) as Father Morse
Peter Saide (Skin Tight) as Sheriff Green
Nick Wyman (Les Misérables) as Governor von Richterhenkenpflichtgetruber
Sarah Parnicky as Susanna/Sister Mary Jo
Lauren Molina (Rock of Ages) as Bella Rose
Conor Ryan ("Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert") as Johnny Blood
Gary Marachek (Eleanor) as Father Morse
Peter Saide (Skin Tight) as Sheriff Green
Nick Wyman (Les Misérables) as Governor von Richterhenkenpflichtgetruber
Sarah Parnicky as Susanna/Sister Mary Jo
Inspired by William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, Desperate Measures tells the tale of Johnny Blood, a handsome young man whose life is in danger over a saloon brawl. Set in the early 1890's, Johnny must put his fate into the hands of a colorful cast of characters including a wily sheriff, an eccentric priest, a authoritarian governor, a saloon girl gone good, and a nun out of the habit- as they all struggle to decide Johnny's fate. Laws are broken and hearts are won as they try to find justice in a world that often doesn't seem just.
Full disclosure: producer Pat Addiss is a friend. Even so, I thought the book was very clever and the musical very enjoyable. I highly recommend it.
-- Lauren Yarger
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