Super Sidekick: The Musical
nytheatre.com q&a preview by Zach McCoy
July 31, 2012
What is your job on this show?
Producer and Co-Founder of ArtEffects Theatre Company.
Are there boundaries as to what kind of theatre you will take part in?
When we were coming up with our Mission Statement, we were very careful to be intentionally vague about the specific styles of theatre we wanted to focus on. For us, theatre is about that intangible quality; that thing that reminds us that we are human. In the case of Super Sidekick: The Musical, it not only is a great way for children to enjoy theatre, but it is also so innocent and silly that I dare an adult to not smile the whole way through.
Complete this sentence: My show is the only one in FringeNYC that...?
...has Ninja Koalas. I do need to fact-check that officially, but I am making an educated guess.
How did you meet your fellow artists/collaborators on this show?
My company (ArtEffects Theatre) is co-producing this piece with Theatre Unlimited based in Los Angeles. They have been developing it for quite some time and had a dream to get it into FringeNYC once they felt it was completed. Meanwhile, we were producing a war drama with a fantastic playwright named Aaron Kozak who they had worked with quite a bit in the past. Kozak was happy with our production and our company, and when Super Sidekick was accepted to the Fringe, Theatre Unleashed asked us to oversee the production. I hope we do them proud!
Which “S” word best describes your show: SMOOTH, SEXY, SMART, SURPRISING?
Smart. Especially for a children's musical. I urge adults to come see this show even if they don't have children - there is a perfect balance of "tongue-in-cheek" humor and silliness that everyone can appreciate.
Theatre is a necessary ingredient in democratic societies. Do you agree or disagree, and why?
Theatre is necessary in ALL societies. It is, on a basic level, the art of being human. It's frustrating at times that a country like the United States doesn't put more importance on the arts in general. Not only is it an outlet for expression for millions of people, but it is also a way for us as an audience to be reminded what it is to be alive and all the hardships, triumphs, joys, and sorrows that come with that. The monetary profits may not always be there, but the richness it brings to a culture is immeasurable. Of course, sometimes you may just need to escape the hot city to sit in a cool theatre and have a laugh. And that's okay too!
