I’m addicted to Speed.
Earlier today, I twittered that I had signed on as one of the Producers of the 20th Anniversary revival of David Mamet’s Speed The Plow starring Entourage’s Jeremy Piven, Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss and Broadway’s Bobby-baby, Raul Esparza.
I’ll admit . . . Seems like a strange choice for the Producer of The Awesome 80s Prom, My First TIme, Altar Boyz and 13, doesn’t it?
Sing it with me now: "One of these things is not like the other things . . . "
So if this show seems so far from my "style", why am I doing it?
Well, there was a super long list of "pros" that got me to opt-in for my 2nd show that’ll open this fall, including the lead Producer, Piven and Mamet himself.
But one of them was simply that it wasn’t my style.
In poker, the best teachers will tell you that it’s important every once in awhile to "vary your style of play." If you’re a very conservative player that only bets when you’ve got the nuts, bluff once in a while. If you’re an aggressive player, play one or two hands tight every couple o’ rounds.
Shaking up your style forces you to get out of your comfort zone. And most importantly, it keeps you learning and growing so that you’re ready to play in any game at any stakes, no matter who is dealing.
So I’m varying my style of play . . . with a play.
And with this cast and this play, it feels like I’ve been dealt a couple of pocket aces.
Stay tuned . . . gonna be a busy fun fall.
3 Responses to I’m addicted to Speed.
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Congratulations on your new venture. I think you’ve definitely got a couple of aces with this one (and with 13, IMO). I’ve been seriously considering a subscription to the Atlantic… Now the appeal has grown. I’ve still got a few days, right…? (It’s that damn economic climate!)
Ken’s using poker analogies–Mamet must be rubbing off on him!
Hi Ken – Couldn’t agree more….that’s why I signed onto direct the last musical revue I just put up at a theatre here in Cleveland. The Rodgers and Hammerstein revue “Some Enchanted Evening” (www.someenchantedevening.8k.com). Completely out of my normal realm of musical flavor – I usually go for the stories that have a little more bite, but this was a great exercise and experience for me (and a great cast doesn’t hurt either!). There were some uncomfortable moments for me (what to do with “June is Bustin’ Out all over”?). But in the end it’s a great show that audiences are loving!