Cosi
nytheatre.com q&a preview by Kathleen and Matthew Foster
September 2, 2012
What is your job on this show?
Producers/Actors.
Where were you born? Where were you raised? Where did you go to school?
We were both born and raised in Sydney, Australia and grew up in neighboring suburbs, but didn't meet until years later. We met as performers in 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change', fell in love, got married, moved to the US and decided to create theatre.
Complete this sentence: My show is the only one opening in NYC this fall that...?
...showcases an amazing Australian play, amazing Australian actors, amazing non-Australian actors and other creatives ... all while the audience can sit back and eat an Aussie meat pie and a lamington.
What was the most memorable/funny/unusual thing that has happened during the development and rehearsal process for this show?
The Australian accent is notoriously difficult to master for non-Aussies, so we were a little concerned about finding enough actors who either had a natural Australian accent or were able to put on a convincing one. In the end, we were incredibly impressed at the talent of those actors who auditioned. The first audition of the day was by Joseph Thornhill (an American who was ultimately cast in the role of Justin), and when he started his monologue in a GREAT Australian accent, we breathed a sigh of tremendous relief that we got off to such a good start. Never underestimate the talent of actors.
Which “S” word best describes your show: SMOOTH, SEXY, SMART, SURPRISING?
Surprising. This show is hilarious - the cast often find themselves in fits of laughter during rehearsals. But it's also incredibly touching. Through the eyes of the lead character, Lewis, the audience goes on an incredible journey, and comes out truly affected by these interesting and extraordinary people.
If you had ten million dollars that you had to spend on theatrical endeavors, how would you use the money?
We would take Cosi, and the entire creative team, pay them what they deserve, and go to Broadway. It's that good. Don't believe us? Come see it.
