Interview: Christopher J. Hanke Talks About Streisand And BUYER AND CELLAR

BUYER & CELLAR is an outrageous new comedy about the oddest of odd jobs: "an underemployed Los Angeles actor going to work in Barbra Streisand's Malibu basement" (The New York Times). Broadway star Christopher J, Hanke plays the lucky actor in this brilliant, hilarious and outrageously inventive comedy.

I had the opportunity to speak to Christopher about the show at the Mirvish season launch event, back in September. See the interview below!

Where did the idea for Buyer and Cellar come from?

The story goes, the playwright - Jonathan Tolins, was at a party and somebody had the book. He asked "What's it about?" When he was told it was about a mall in Barbra Streisand's basement he said "Can you imagine the guy that worked down there?" and it got a big laugh, and that's where the idea came from.

Do you do an impression of Barbra in the play?

I don't! My character doesn't do impressions, he says at the top of the show. But, I do play her. There's no costumes or props or wigs, but I play eight characters.

Do you know if Barbra has seen the show?

She has not seen the show. I know her people came and saw the show and decided not to sue, so that's good. We're happy about that.

Do you have a favourite moment or clip of Barbra?

Well, I'm really obsessed with her book My Passion for Design because it's really great. In the book she shows note she's left for her contractor and the people who built her house. It's really comedic. But, I did fall in love with a young 19 year old Barbra, as a club singer - I found a clip of her online. I love early Barbra.

Does the book mention if Barbra has a favourite shop in her basement?

She doesn't mention a favourite, but she loves dolls. She has a doll shop she calls Bea's Doll Shop. No one ever told me who Bea was, so I pretended I was Bea Arthur. She has dolls all around her house sitting on chairs and on the piano.

BUYER AND CELLAR is now playing through Nov. 30. Tickets are available at Mirvish.com.

Photo: Christopher J. Hanke. By Alan Henry.