Monday, June 15, 2015

Episode 10: Todd Schaefer, on Macheath and Threepenny

On this episode of STAGE GROK, I talk with Todd Schaefer, actor, director, designer, and teacher, about approaching the character of Capt. Macheath in New Line Theatre's production of The Threepenny Opera. We discuss his creative process and what was so different about working on Threepenny. Todd is also artistic director of The Players Project Theater Company in St. Louis, and the drama teacher at Webster Groves High School.

Todd as Macheath. Photo credit: Jill Ritter Lindberg.




STAGE GROK host Scott Miller is the artistic director of New Line Theatre in St. Louis, and the author of six books on musical theatre, nine musicals, and the musical theatre blog The Bad Boy of Musical Theatre. Opening and closing theme music: Overture from Cry-Baby the Musical by Adam Schlessinger and David Javerbaum, from New Line Theatre's 2012 production. Used by permission. Logo designed by Matt Reedy. Stage Grok is available on iTunes.


               

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Episode 9: Em Piro, Founder, St. Lou Fringe

On this episode of STAGE GROK, I talk with Em Piro, founder and executive director of the St. Lou Fringe. Now in its fourth year, we talk about how a fringe festival operates, what she does, what the artists do, how shows are chosen, and why a fringe festival is important to our city.

photo credit: Allan Crain



STAGE GROK host Scott Miller is the artistic director of New Line Theatre in St. Louis, and the author of six books on musical theatre, nine musicals, and the musical theatre blog The Bad Boy of Musical Theatre. Opening and closing theme music: Overture from Cry-Baby the Musical by Adam Schlessinger and David Javerbaum, from New Line Theatre's 2012 production. Used by permission. Logo designed by Matt Reedy. Stage Grok is available on iTunes.


               

Monday, June 1, 2015

Episode 8: Paula Hanssen, on Brecht and Threepenny

On this episode of STAGE GROK, I talk with Paula Hanssen, associate professor at Webster University, head of German Studies, and head of International Studies, who has written a great deal about the legendary German director and writer Bertolt Brecht (The Threepenny Opera, Mother Courage, Galileo, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, et al.) and his creative partner Elisabeth Hauptmann. Hanssen is the author of the book, Elisabeth Hauptmann: Brecht's Silent Collaborator. She is also an officer in the International Brecht Society.





STAGE GROK host Scott Miller is the artistic director of New Line Theatre in St. Louis, and the author of six books on musical theatre, nine musicals, and the musical theatre blog The Bad Boy of Musical Theatre. Opening and closing theme music: Overture from Cry-Baby the Musical by Adam Schlessinger and David Javerbaum, from New Line Theatre's 2012 production. Used by permission. Logo designed by Matt Reedy. Stage Grok is available on iTunes.