Brian
Swasey is artistic director of the Astoria Performing Arts
Center, and he recently directed its acclaimed revival of
the musical A New Brain, now playing at the Broccoli
Theater in Astoria. A graduate of the University of New
Hampshire with a degree in musical theater and dance, Swasey
has worked as an actor and director in regional, international,
and Off Broadway productions.
Performance
credits include Harry Houdini in Ragtime (Maine
State Music Theater), Naked Boys Singing (Off Broadway),
Into the Woods, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Crazy for
You, Peter Pan (with Cathy Rigby), A Chorus Line,
She Loves Me, 42nd Street, The Who's Tommy, The Wizard of
Oz, and the international tour of West Side Story.
As director
and/or choreographer, his credits include Forever Plaid,
Lucky Stiff, The Man in the Iron Mask, Godspell, Seussical,
Starmites, Nunsense, Is There Life After High School?, How
to Succeed …, Once on This Island, Miracle on 34th
Street, A Chorus Line, Once Upon a Mattress, Kiss Me, Kate,
and Peter Pan. For more information, visit www.brianswasey.com
How and why did APAC choose
to produce A New Brain? What is your relationship with the
show?
I wanted to push the envelope a bit with the subject matter
and the type of musical APAC usually does. I have always
been a fan of William Finn, and the score to this show is
just beautiful. I also chose this show because we performed
"Heart and Music" in our very first show [a musical
revue] in 2001. So to bring the entire piece to life has
been a treat
What
theater have you seen recently?
I haven't
had a chance to see much theater recently. I have been busy
directing a few productions since the new year. The last
thing I saw was The Little Dog Laughed [on Broadway],
which I loved.
Who
or what are your influences?
I have
always been a big Bob Fosse fan. I think his use of dance
and choreography to create a seamless production was flawless.
I strive to create smooth productions that keep taking you
on the journey. The last thing I want is a bump in the road.
What's
up next for you?
I am
directing and choreographing a production of West Side
Story at Seacoast Repertory Theater in Portsmouth,
N.H.
What
have been the greatest challenges in running a theater company
outside of Manhattan, and how have you worked to overcome
them?
Convincing people that Astoria isn't that far away. We
just keep getting the word out. The more the area develops,
and the more people explore the restaurants and night life
in Astoria, the better off we are.
What
are your goals for the Astoria Performing Arts Center in
the near and distant future?
The plan is to purchase a building in Astoria. So, if you
have any connections …
To read Amy Krivohlavek's
review of A New Brain, click
here.
|
