Monday, August 31, 2009

From "Red Dog" to "Still Life"

Posted by Still Life actor Matthew Rauch--

Working with Alexander Dinelaris on his play,
Red Dog Howls, was similar in many ways to my experience with Still Life so far. We have an amazing friendship, and I have been privileged to participate in the early stages of Alex's process on several pieces - to read early drafts, to talk through arcs and themes and structure with him. It's exciting to work closely with a writer whose voice I admire, and who speaks to his audience with such honesty and without a hint of irony. I find his use of muscular emotion to be tremendously refreshing. His words just seem to fit me, and when we are grooving, it's really really fun. Of course, Alex explores painful and profound themes in his plays, and with Red Dog Howls, we were dealing with some extremely delicate issues of collective shame and discovered identity. It was a difficult and rewarding process - incredibly emotional and cathartic. I consider myself very lucky to have been in that play, and of course this one, too. It's thrilling and a great honor to be a part of my friend's journey as a writer, and to be his companion on this path.

Photo (L-R):
Darcie Siciliano, Alexander Dinelaris, Kathleen Chalfant, Matthew Rauch at the LA premiere of Dinelaris' Red Dog Howls.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Photos from "Still Life" First Rehearsal


Actors Adriane Lenox and Ian Kahn.

MCC Artistic Director Bernard Telsey with
Scenic Designer David Korins.

Actors Frederick Weller and Dominic Chianese with
MCC Associate Artistic Director Will Cantler.