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Funny Boy
By Randall Jobe | An Interview with ‘Buyer and Cellar’ star, Doug Atkins
Main Street Theater presents Buyer and Cellar, in which Alex More (Doug Atkins), a struggling L.A. actor takes a job working in the Malibu basement of mega-star Barbra Streisand. One day the lady herself come downstairs to play. Will this be a bonding moment? If so, can it survive in the real world upstairs?
MONTROSE STAR: Thank you for taking time to answer these questions and welcome to Houston! According to your bio, you have performed in this play before. How did you first become introduced to the piece?
DOUG ATKINS: I found a copy of the play when I was scouring the Drama Book Shop in New York City. I knew Michael Urie had done the show in Chicago and Off-Broadway, but as soon as I read it I fell in love and knew this was a piece I needed to do. So, I did what any normal, sane person would do: I made an audition tape of the opening monologue, looked up every theatre in the nation producing the play, and I emailed every single artistic director individually with the hope that one would allow me to go on this journey with them. I was very humbled and grateful that Dana Schultes at Stage West Theatre in Fort Worth, Texas took a chance on me.
STAR: Were you a Streisand fan before? Are you now?
DA: Much like Alex, I was not a huge “Barbra Queen†before I started this piece. I had grown up with my mom’s copy of Barbra: The Concert from 1994, and I had seen her in the films of Funny Girl and Hello, Dolly! Thanks to this show, I was able to go on my own “gay birthright†about Ms. Streisand, and I know things now that I never knew before. I am a true fan now.
STAR: Are there comparisons between you and Alex More, the character you portray?
DA: Alex and I are kindred spirits — our careers in the arts have both seen ups and downs. We’ve both done Gypsy. We’ve both worked day jobs we’ve loved and ones we’ve hated, but we still try to find the humor and optimism in everything. We both use sarcastic wit to mitigate stressful or uncomfortable situations. We both have incredibly smart and insightful partners. We both enjoy listening to Public Radio while we drive places.
STAR: What has been the most challenging part of playing Alex More?
DA: Juggling all the characters! Jonathan Tolins wrote such a wonderful script. The biggest challenge is making sure his message is conveyed while also making sure each and every characters gets what they want in the show — all while coming out of one body, one voice, and one mind!
STAR: The promo for Buyer and Cellar talks about “the love-hate relationship between gay men and divas.†What is your take on that concept?
DA: Gay men and divas have a marvelously colorful past. We as a community have so many divas we look up to, idealize, and emulate — Barbra, Judy, Liza, Madonna, Celine, Janet, Britney, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. The list goes on and on! We also both are perceived to have strong personalities. So this play explores what happens when two people who are opposite ends of the same career path — Alex, the struggling actor and Barbra, the pinnacle of success — interact.
STAR: Have there been surprising audience responses to the play?
DA: Reactions that open eyes, hearts, and/or minds — be it learning about the LGBT community, a new fact or two about Barbra, or thinking about the world in a new way — this show has so much to offer.
STAR: What was your theatrical beginning?
DA: My very first role was playing the titular role in A Yankee Doodle Christmas at Roosevelt Elementary in Akron, Ohio. A few years after moving back to Allentown, Pennsylvania, I studied under Diane Wagner at the Lehigh Valley Charter Arts High School. I then went on to study musical theatre at West Chester University, right outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
STAR: Where is your home base?
DA: My home base is right here in Houston, Texas! I moved down here in 2014 from Philadelphia.
STAR: In the past you have performed with Bayou City Concert Musicals. What are your perceptions of Houston’s theatrical scene?
DA: The Houston theatrical scene is very exciting! I moved to Houston because its theatre scene is evolving at an exponential rate. In my short time here I’ve been able to witness some amazing things happening in the city, and I am very grateful to be a part of it.
STAR: What are your plans after the Houston run ends?
DA: I have the great excitement of returning to Philadelphia in January 2019 when I perform Buyer and Cellar at the Montgomery Theater! Until then, I will be doing what every other unemployed actor does: audition, audition, audition!
STAR: Is there a role you dream of playing?
DA: Just one?! I’ll give you a Top 5: Larry in Burn This by Lanford Wilson, Prior in Angels in America, Arnold in Torch Song Trilogy, Bobby in Company, and literally anyone in Mamma Mia! Seriously. Anyone.
STAR: Do you carry any lessons on life and/or divas from performing in Buyer and Cellar?
DA: Absolutely! I count my blessings that I get to do what I love, I stand up for what I believe in, and I live as truthfully as possible. Oh, and I’m starting to figure out what to do on Sundays.
WHAT: Doug Atkins in Buyer and Cellar
WHERE: Main Street Theater, 2540 Times Boulevard.
WHEN: Previews, July 12 and 13, 7:30 p.m. Runs July 14 through August 12. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 3 p.m.
TICKETS: 713-524-6706
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