11.9.2011/Josh Blanchard
Interview with Ken Ludwig, playwright of The Fox on the Fairway, Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo, and much more

Blanchard: Thank you for taking the time out of your day to talk with me.  We have produced Tenor and Buffalo and are excited to produce Fox.  I have been a fan of yours for a long time.  I have prepared about 12 questions for you.  Any questions for me before we begin.

Ludwig: Looks like you have a great theatre. I have looked up your theatre and your productions on your website and you look very accomplished, which is great. 

Yes we have a great support of patrons.  We are located in Summit County which is a resort community.  We have 5 resorts in our county, including Breckenridge which is probably the most well known.  2 have opened last week, two opens this weekend.  So it’s hopping around here.  Ski season has started.

When will you produce Fox?

Fox is the last show of our 2012 season, so we will open the third week of November 2012.

Oh, that’s great.

We will publish the interview in our OVATION magazine, our theatre program, which will be available in January.  We thought this interview would get people excited about the show, excited about Fox, all year long.

Can I get a copy of the interview? (Ludwig Laughs)

Of course! I'll send you one in January.

PERSONAL HISTORY

You have a varied background, which includes studying law and theatre.  Would you tell me about your background education and training? 

I grew up in small town in Pennsylvania. I always wanted to be in the theatre since I was little.  My brother went to law school.  So I applied to law school, knowing that I wanted to be in theatre.  I was accepted to Harvard Law, and my parents said, “If you don’t go, we’ll kill you.” So I went.

I then got a scholarship to study at Cambridge.  I did that, graduate work in theatre history.  I studied International Law, too, so that made Harvard Law happy. (They say you “read” in those studies. So I “read” in theatre history.

I then graduated and started practicing law.  I had no money; it was a day job.  I know it sounds funny that practicing law was my day job, but anyone who does theatre needs a day job.  Actors in New York may have a waiting job or temp job.  But I was practicing law for a major law firm.  I did that for a couple of years.  And I got up early to write. 

My first break was Lend Me a Tenor, which was produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber in London, then in New York.  Then (I the book for) Crazy for You.  With the success of Lend me a Tenor, I could stop by day job.

Has your study and practice of law influenced your dramatic work?

No.  I have been asked that question before.  I suppose a more thoughtful answer is that law thought me how to discipline myself, to do a hard days work and develop a sense of working.   There is a certain integrity you need in playwriting or any kind of writing. That is the mistake that novice writers make.  They write for 30 minutes that then say, “Here is my writing.”  But you have to write more. You have to spend an awful lot of time doing it.  So law school more than the law profession gave me a sense of discipline.

FOX ON THE FAIRWAY

I have read the Fox on the Fairway – it’s hysterical.  And I read your forward for The Fox on the Fairway, which gives a brief if not thorough background on farce.  What inspired you to write FOX and lead you to think that a golf club would be an ideal location for a farce?

The idea for writing The Fox on the Fairway came up when I was playing golf with a friend of mine.  In between plays, I had thought, “Gee what I will write my next play about.”  My friend looked at me and said, “Look at what we are doing.”  And I thought gold would be a fun for a background for a play.  It’s a good idea because comedy thrives on social classes, on form, on etiquette, on breaking rules.  Golf is full of rules.  Our lives today don’t have rules today.  That’s why I love the old English farces.

That is interesting.  Most farces are set in a previous time period, not in the contemporary time of today.  So When our Producing Artistic Director Chris read Fox on the Fairway, he said, “This is going to be in our season next year.”  And the first thing I asked him was, “Oh when is it set?”  And he said, “Today.”  And I thought, “How does a farce set in today work.”  But setting the play in a golf environment allows for all the rules of farce to take place.

My plays are all set in the 20s or 30s.  But the world of golf is rule bound.  The golf world is a throw back world.  Just watch the British masters, the British open.  The golf clubs where they play are hierarchical. 

So you obviously play golf and follow the professionals?

If there were two of me, I would play and watch more.  I got to play three times this summer.  I was going to play this week, but it was too cold (he laughs).

THE PROCESS/THE PLAYS

Each playwright has his own process for writing.  You have written before that good farces are grounded in plot, witty dialogue, and physical comedy rather than character development and themes.  How do you as a playwright of farces go about achieving the unique task of writing a farce?

The first thing is you come up with a good string, a plot idea.  You have to ask, “What is the engine that drives the story?” Take Dandy Dick by Panero.  The story is about a vicar in a small town who is guaranteed to match the funds of the congregants to rebuild the church spire.  To his despair (he laughs), they do and he has to get his daughter’s married to pay for his half.  The question becomes, “How does he raise the money?”  It’s the issue.

The Fox on the Fairway it is centered around the bet.  Bets are great in plays because they give you an instant shape to the play.   My Fair Lady, and Pymallion before, and Guys and Dolls did it, too.  The bet gives the play the shape.

What do you need to start a first draft?

Sketch the idea the way a painter sketches.  I sit and think with my pad for days and days on end.  I write down ideas.  Then a play does or doesn’t come into a play.

I usually keep at it for a month or two.  If it doesn’t work out, then I will put it aways and come back to it.  Right now, I have a few plays waiting that I can’t quite crack.

“Fluff” often gets a bad wrap when it comes to “real theatre.”  How do you think the genre of farce fits into the national theatre scene?

I have a long view, a philosophical view, not “fussed by it” as the English would say.  Everything comes around.  Right now, there is a big revival in (Terence) Rattigan.  Twenty years ago he couldn’t get arrested.  Critics said his well made play was uninteresting.   “We look at the real world, rape, murder," say the critics.  After the Dance at The National Theatre.   Trevor Nunn does (Rattigan at the) Haymarket.  The Old Vic, too.  Currently on Broadway at the Roundabout is Man and Boy.  Writing the "well made play," well in critical circles, people just sneer at you.  But now it's back.

(Georges) Feydeux wrote French farce.  Critics said, "Oh, how stupid! How silly!" Then the National Theatre did his three most famous plays including The Lady from Maxim's and Hotel Paridiso.  John Mortimer, who died two years ago, contemporized his work, adapted Flea in Her Ear, which starred Albert Finney and had a French director.  Then suddenly, everyone says Feydeux is a fantastic.

The wheel turns and critics go through their periods where they say something is terrific and look what we have discovered.  It happens all the time. It happened three years ago with Mark Rylance in Boeing, Boeing (by Marc Camoletti) and critics said “Holy cow, the construction of this play is incredible.”

What is the difference between a good farce and a bad farce?

Ultimately this question is the same as, "What’s a good play and bad play?"  An audience tells you everything you need to know.  Going to run throughs and previews lets you know if a play is good, especially the previews.  Audiences tell you everything you need to know if it is a fantastic play.  Some will say that “if the audience doesn’t get it, its their loss.”  But I think if (a play) is not pleasing to an audience, then it doesn’t work, and it is not a success.

To that end, have you ever been surpised by an audiences response or lack of a response?

Yes, my new play The Game’s Afoot, a comedy –thriller, Agatha Christy kind of mystery. It opened at the Kennedy Center with Marc Kudisch.  I thought the audience would be interested in the story and mystery.  I wrote it to be funny, but it ended up being riotous.  What functioned was comedy in ways I hadn’t ever dreamed.  The audience was howling from beginning to end.  It surprised me.  I thought it functioned very differently (when I wrote it).  In the play, the tension from the mystery ratchets up the comedy, if you will.  It is in rehearsals at the Cleveland Playhouse and begins previews Nov. 25 and opens Nov. 30. I am headed out to Cleveland tomorrow.

Do you have a favorite play/book of musical that you have written? If so, what makes it special?

Shakespeare in Hollywood was special because I wrote it for the Royal Shakespeare Company.  It stretched me.  It’s a chronilogical play taking place during late 30s based on the real story of when A Midsummer Night’s Dream made into a movie. 

Leading Ladies, which is in the genre of Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo and Fox.  It has steady characters and broad comedy.  I am very proud of it for a number reasons.

Ultimately though, I always like the play I am currently working on the best.

As a theatre practitioner, playwright, lecturer, who inspires you?

All the great writers who have gone before the writers today.  Shakespere, Goldsmith, Sheridan, Panero, Shaw, Wilde.

My brother was a lawyer and now a businessman.  My father was doctor.  My mother loved the theatre.  (The theatre) is an odd thing to choose for one’s life.  Why did I choose this.  I don’t know.  I JUST LOVE THIS.

What’s up next for Ken Ludwig?  Are you working on any new projects?

I have written a new book, How to Teach Your Kids Shakespeare by Crown Publishing.  Also, I have a new anthology of plays coming out, which includes (Lend Me a) Tenor, (Moon Over) Buffalo, Leading Ladies, and Shakespeare in Hollywood. 

And my new play The Game's Afoot is opening soon.

I have one more question I have, I guess, formally prepared for you today.  Is there any one thing that you want audiences of your plays to leave the theatre feeling, or thinking?  What one impression do you wish to have on your audiences?

(Silence.) I suppose it’s a wheel turning… It’s not a fashionable view of the world…. (he pauses)

I do truly in my heart believe in an innate sense of humanity among us as we live in our community.  With a sense of humor and sense of integrity, we can it’s really worth the candle to push the ball forward.  Remind people of their connection and their humanity.  That will get us closer and closer to a real in a deep sense peaceful respectful sense of who we are and what we can accomplish.  Sensible optimism.  Not in any Pollyann-ish sort of way.  As I see my kids grow up amid the horrors of the world, if you keep the faith and push the ball forward, you will ultimately make progress. 

Thank you very much for your time.  As I said, I am a huge fan and I have really enjoyed getting to chat with you and know you today.

Oh thank you.  I have enjoyed the talk. 

6.21.11/Christopher Alleman

ONE DOWN!  The Who's TOMMY opened this past weekend to ecstatic audiences.   We knew the show would be successful.   We had no idea that so many of our patrons LOVE this music.   Whoops and Hollars everynight.   We just finished the first read-thru of THE RED CAPE a new children's musical by Alleman, Blanchard, and Parks.   What fun it will be.   GODSPELL is in the middle of its rehearsals.   Designer run through in a few days.   We put these musicals up in two weeks, by the way.   All I can say is - GET YOUR TICKETS FAST.

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6.10.2011/Christopher Alleman

Week one of rehearsals/construction/marketing is almost in the bag.   No one has passed out......yet.   The WHO'S TOMMY - perhaps the most iconic rock musical ever written - opens in a short 7 days.    We patiently await the arrival of the pinball machine.   Its a small part of the show.

We had a hugely successful "kickoff party" on June 6 at the generous Keystone Science School.   Thanks to Ellen and her crew for allowing us theatre geeks and patrons to take over their space for a few hours.   Our patrons continually look forward to that event.

Kimberly Nicoletti with the Summit Daily is running a weekly unveiling of our Summer Company.   Here is the link for the first one:

http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20110610/AE/110609771&parentprofile=search

As always - see you at the theatre!

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5.5.2011/Joshua Blanchard

Part of our mission at the LDTC is to provide "something for everyone" through a variety of theatre genres and styles.  Simply put, we love great theatre.  Musicals. Comedies. Farces. Dramas. Theatre of the Absurd?

Absurdism in art argues that human existence is meaningless in a world of irrationality and chaos.  Influenced by social upheaval and political turmoil, French philosopher Albert Camus fathered this existentialism on stage in the 1950s.  A discipleship of dramatists including Samuel Beckett, Eugene Ionesco, and Jean Genet soon followed.  By the 1960s, absurdist conventions within theatre migrated from the avant-garde to the mainstream, with successful absurd-esque plays penned by Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard, and Edward Albee.  And while (I believe) Edward Albee's Seascape clings to an optimistic view of human existence and evolution, it's characters' desperate attempt to understand what has been, what will be, and what's the point of it all drives the play's fiercely funny dialogue and ultimate embrace of human reality.

But how does a 36-year old play like Edward Albee's Seascape reflect today's global irrationality and chaos?  As playwright Paula Vogel writes, "These are messy times and plays can reflect that."  Edward Albee's Seascape challenges its audience to take a realistic look at the world in which we exist, even while his characters themselves seem at times far from real. 

This week, images of absurdity bombard our daily routines. Photos of Kate's dress and Tuscaloosan tornados align next to panoramas of patriots celebrating "Geronimo's" demise. Meanwhile, NATO's game show of "Do We or Don't We" staring Muammar el-Qaddafi replays in reruns while Lebron's "Heated" quest for the O'Brien often steals the headlines.   Grappling with this ever-growing mosaic of political clash, cultural exploitation, and mundane injustice may leave some of us (especially me) staring blankly at a looming question mark, trying to decipher meaning from our lives, our cultures, our existences.

Is our global absurdity at a historical high?  Or is a new "absurd" norm overtaking a twenty-first century, creating a global society that demands an examination of, "What's the point of it all?" more than ever?  

Maybe theatre can help us make sense of it all. Maybe theatre can offer some insight into our chaotic world.  Maybe theatre can at least help us laugh a little in the meantime.  We hope you will join us for the discussion and the show.

Moving forward,
Josh 

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4.26.2011/Christopher Alleman

Well, May is only a few days away and we just got dumped on.   With snow.   7 inches of disgusting white stuff.   Normally, we would be praising the god of snow.   Is there such a thing?   Well, mothernature, at least.   But it is April 26 and we are done. 

You can escape the snow (well, kind of) by booking your tickets to SEASCAPE - Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize winning comedy.   SEASCAPE opens on May 6 and is a dream cast.  Kelly Ketzenbarger (LDTC's BOEING BOEING and VIRGINIA WOLF), Josh Blanchard (LDTC's EQUUS and GLASS MENAGERIE), Jennifer Condreay (LDTC's THIRD and DOUBT), Jim Hunt (LDTC Virgin but a Denver theatre veteran).

Plus, we are gearing up for our Summer Season.   The WHO'S TOMMY and GODSPELL will be rocking the LDTC.

Let's hope it won't snow.

See you at the theatre,

Chris

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04.09.11/Benjamin Whitmore

2 down, 2 to go!
BROADWAY NOW 2011 has been a great success.

(^^^GET TICKETS BY CLICKING THIS POSTER ^^^)

A fun night of libations, desserts (yum!), and fabulous music.
That kind of makes it sound stuffy, but its really a very casual night with your Lake Dillon friends :-)

Make sure you get your tickets to this great event! ONLY TWO NIGHTS LEFT!

In other news, the SEASCAPE cast just convened for the first time for a photo shoot and readthrough of a delightfully engaging script.

The set renderings are being finalized, as are the elaborate "lizard" costumes. Trust me, you WON'T want to miss this one!

Also, summer is getting into full prep mode. But perhaps I'll go into greater detail another time about the 'behind the scenes' stuff that goes on here.

What are your thoughts on a video blog? I call it "From the Booth"…?
I'll put something together and post it here in a while.

See you at the theatre!

Ben

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4.01.11/Christopher Alleman

April Fools Day.....and Borders Books is now closed (well, tomorrow).   We purchased a few items from the store closing (lockers, shelves and some kickass walkie talkies) for our offices and the theatre.   It was a bit surreal being in the store as people clamored for books at 90% off.   All of the good books were gone.

We're about to wrap up a sold out run of BOEING squared.   What a great run this proved to be.   The audiences were certainly digging it.   It's been bitter sweet for us at the LDTC.   We love the sold out houses but it has been a challenge turning so many patrons away.  :-(

If you are on our email list make sure you read Josh's opening section of our most recent newsletter.   Interesting thoughts about theatre.   He writes pretty.

See you at the theatre

Chris

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3.24.11/Christopher Alleman

Yep, I'm a blog virgin.  I hope that is still not a dirty word.   'Virgin' not 'blog'.  

I would like to say that things have slowed down since our wildly successful LDTC THEATRICAL ROASTS on March 19.  But, alas, it has not.   We are sending out contracts for our summer season.   The cast is finalized, the crew is hired, the admin staff is losing our minds.   We've got some talented peeps coming our way.....plus a few returning.   Priscilla Fernandez (you remember that hair, right), Rhianna Pfannenstiel (that voice) are returning as performers and Edlyn Gonzalez will be coming back to choreograph SHOUT.   She's created the moves for our sold out run of 8-TRACK last September.

We've got the BROADWAY NOW concert coming up soon.   Ben, Josh, Ellen Kaye (Chicago), Jenn Mello (Boeing Boeing) and myself will be sangin' our faces off.   AND, we'll bring back Musical Mad-Libs.  You remember Mad-Libs, don't you?   Well, you give us the dirty words and we'll put them in songs.   Fun times.

Welp.......See you at the theatre!

Chris

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 3.11.11/Ben Whitmore

 Hey Lake Dillon gang! Hope everyone is getting their tickets to BOEING BOEING… looks like this one is going to sell out for the run. *knock on wood* I am fortunate enough to be performing again in this show and boy is this show fun! The audiences are loving it!

But the real reason I decided to blog today…

THE THEATRICAL ROASTS!

We are all getting very excited for the inaugural event on March 19th.

This event is going to honor several of our Summit County heroes through the wonder of theatrical interpretation.
We are going to put their lives up on stage and (hopefully) embarrass the heck out of them, because we just love 'em so much!
If you haven't bought tickets yet, I encourage you to take a look at our ticket page, HERE, to buy your tickets now!
I have had a sneak peek at the scripts and songs and whatnot-- OH BOY! This is going to be good!

Several Summit County-based actors will be part of the company of actors as well as some of the cast of BOEING BOEING!

All of our local playwrights have really outdone themselves. We've got some great material to work with!

OH! And when you get your tickets, make sure you choose your meal option (new online feature!) Salmon, Pork, Pasta primavera (vegetarian)-- YOUR CHOICE!

After you attend the ROAST, don't forget to buy tickets for another night to come see BOEING BOEING!

See you at the theatre!

- BEN 

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2.13.11/Ben Whitmore

The 39 Steps is about to go into its final weekend of shows. This show has been selling out every weekend! Waiting lists, added chairs, its getting a bit crazy! With such a talented cast and great production, we could not be more pleased with this great run of 39 Steps.

The artistic team just returned from a week in New York City auditions for the upcoming Summer Season. We have auditions coming up in Dillon on the 19th, so we hope to see a great turn out of local company members and new talent! Keep an eye on our youtube page for a highlight reel of New York/Colorado audition season!

Coming up next, BOEING BOEING. This show is hilarious! The cast is super-talented and looks to be a good mix of regular company members and new company members from out of state. I saw this Tony Award-winning play when I was living in NYC and have never laughed so hard in a theatre! We hope you enjoy Boeing Boeing as much as we are looking forward to producing it! CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS! 

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 1.10.11/Josh Blanchard

Hello Lake Dillon family and friends.  We have just completed day three of 39 Steps rehearsals.  The cast, design team, and crew are all working hard on this show.  I believe this may be the most ambitious play the LDTC has produced in years.  We are working hard and having loads of fun, and we can't wait to open this uproarious, family friendly show in just 11 more days. Reserve your tickets now if you haven't already.

See you at the theatre.
-Josh Blanchard / Director & LDTC Exec. Director

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 11.27.10/Josh Blanchard

Hello Lake Dillon fans and family.  If you haven't seen [title of show], make your reservations {LINK REMOVED by admin} now.  This smart, quirky musical is currently "on the boards" now through December 19.  

Rehearsals for My Way and Alice in Wonderland are well underway.  We look forward to opening these two great shows later this week.  Check out the LDTC facebook page for pictures of the casts (and puppets!)

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06.02.10/Ben Whitmore

Hello Lake Dillon supporters all across this great wide Internet of ours!

In order to keep all of you abreast of what’s going on here at the Lake Dillon Theatre Company, we have started a new blog based here on our website. We call it: FROM THE GREEN ROOM, and that’s exactly what it is. A behind the scenes look at what goes on before the curtain goes up.