Meet the men of [Title of Show] Sydney!
By: Emma Cambey May. 02, 2011
In May 2011, Squabbalogic is reprising its much-loved production of [title of show]. The hit musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical is returning to Sydney for SIX SHOWS ONLY.
The cast of [Title of Show] have taken the time to answer some questions for BroadwayWorld as they prepare for their grand return to Sydney! First up, we have the men of the cast.
JAY JAMES-MOODY (Director / 'Hunter')
Where might we have seen you before?
Jerry Springer: The Opera, Magical Tales on Channel 9, Reefer Madness!
Dream role(s)?
Mamma Rose in Gypsy. But on a more realistic level I've been holding out to do Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors and I've been lucky enough to cross off quite a few from the list already.
In 9 words exactly, why should people see [tos]?
Singing! Dancing! Smiling! Yelling! Laughing! Crying! Mincing! Cursing! Masturbating! (or to paraphrase Jeff in nine words: "At the least it's better than Whorehouse Goes Public")
Best advice you’ve ever received?
Richard Thomas, who wrote Jerry Springer: The Opera, said to me "If you didn't get any training make sure you give yourself the best non-training there is" - which I think he meant finding yourself in unexpectedly in Opera House shows with all-star casts and watching what they do. I've managed to do this exactly once.
Most embarrassing thing on your iPod/iPhone/Walkman if you’re retro cool?
I have the complete David Bowie discography, but that isn't embarrassing. He is however surrounded by every showtune known to man. I think still having a walkman would be both embarrassing AND retro cool.
Favourite audition song?
I don't have any stock audition songs, I try to be specific to the show. My most successful song is 'Little Mary Sunshine' from Reefer Madness, where I got to sing the entire 6 minute thing through and won the job. It was also my least successful song where I was told "Thank you" six bars in. Four of those bars were intro.
What rhymes with theatre?
Anything if you're not fussed about the word making sense.
Besides make an original musical, what else could you do with 4 chairs?
Make an awesome fort.
[TOS] has been described as Sondheim meets Seinfeld. If you could only watch Sondheim shows or Seinfeld episodes for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
It already feels like I've been watching Seinfeld for a lifetime, and for someone in musical theatre I'm comparatively new to Sondheim, so I'd give the kid a shot.
Is ‘fierce’ in your personal dictionary? If so, whose picture is beside it?
It's not, but if it were I'd probably say Bowie. On a side note, we did just get to see Alice Ripley in Next to Normal in LA and can indeed confirm this is the best way to describe her.
That shirt looks totally [title of show] on you, describe what you are wearing for the Broadwayworld.com readers:
At this moment my pyjamas, which today consist of a QANTAS complimentary shirt and Grinch pants. Yes, you heard me.
Can you knit on the bus and truck?
I could give it a shot but the end result would probably be more abstract than practical.
If you were to invent a [Jay James-Moody] cocktail, what would it contain?
I couldn't even tell you the name or ingredients of any cocktails. Something with Dr Pepper in it? Can that go in a cocktail?
If the Squabbalogic [TOS] cast had a novelty awards night, what award would your castmates give you?
The Christopher Walken Award for Interpretive Sound Check Performances.
What is your position on one of the world’s greatest issues: Tweeting under the influence.
As someone who rarely tweets or find themselves under the influence I can say that those who do provide me with a rich source of entertainment. Keep it up.
Are you going to eat that pickle?
Nope. Go for your life.
If you could only eat one kind of food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Mac 'n' cheese. In fact, it would appear that is the path I'm on.
If you were doing a 3 legged race and could choose any person dead or alive to race with, who would you choose and why?
This shit is CRAZY! Someone with three legs so I could get a piggy back.
If you were a Disney character, who would you be and why?
I've always had an affinity for Timon from The Lion King, but I don't have a chunky sidekick. I'm probably more like Rex from Toy Story because I'm a touch nebbish. Also because I would like to be a dinosaur.
BLAKE ERICKSON (Jeff)
Where might we have seen you before?
In the Sydney productions of Floyd Collins: The Musical, Thrill Me, My Favorite Year and a whole bunch of other obscure musicals.
Dream role(s)?
I would love to play Bobby in Company for my 35th birthday present.
In 9 words exactly, why should people see [tos]?
See it because "the man" told you not to.
Best advice you’ve ever received?
"Don't try to be somebody else, especially me." - Jeff Bowen
Most embarrassing thing on your iPod/iPhone/Walkman if you’re retro cool?
There are so many Broadway cast recordings on here that I struggle to find something embarrassing. Oh wait, I just found a piano instrumental of "As If We Never Said Goodbye" from Sunset Boulevard that I actually paid money for.
Favourite audition song?
"Stool Boom" from Waiting For Guffman.
What rhymes with 'theatre'?
"throw a bEE-AT-HER".
Besides make an original musical, what else could you do with 4 chairs?
Re-stage the barricades in Les Miserables - thus creating an unoriginal musical.
[TOS] has been described as Sondheim meets Seinfeld. If you could only watch Sondheim shows or Seinfeld episodes for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
Sondheim.
Is ‘fierce’ in your personal dictionary? If so, whose picture is beside it?
Lizzie Moore. In the words of a bouncer: "She got bedroom eyes".
That shirt looks totally [title of show] on you, describe what you are wearing for the Broadwayworld.com readers:
The clothes I wore to a dance audition. Black sweats, a pink t-shirt, and a black hoodie. I look like a flamboyant armed robber.
Can you knit on the bus and truck?
I'm so completely unco with things like that, the answer is sadly no.
If you were to invent a 'Blake Erickson' cocktail, what would it contain?
Gin, with some goji berries, mixed with basil, and a Guzman y Gomez burrito.
If the Squabbalogic [tos] cast had a novelty awards night, what award would your castmates give you?
The Norma Desmond Award for excessive pre-performance rituals. Eternal youth is worth a little suff'ring! (That's a Don Black contraction there).
What is your position on one of the world’s greatest issues: Tweeting under the influence.
Fortunately I don't tweet, but fortunately I drink.
Are you going to eat that pickle?
Only if there's cheese, a cracker, and a bottle of wine attached.
If you could only eat one kind of food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Again, a Guzman y Gomez burrito. Can I get some kind of residual payment for saying that? Perhaps in the form of a lifetime supply of Guzman y Gomez burritos? With avocado.
If you were doing a 3 legged race and could choose any person dead or alive to race with, who would you choose and why?
It would have to be with my best friend, Wicked's Nessarose Elisa Colla. She has a magic wheelchair I could strap myself onto. That thing goes to crazy town - and FAST!
If you were a Disney character, who would you be and why?
Buzz Lightyear. With a chin like mine, I'm half-way there.
PAUL GEDDES (Musical Director / 'Larry')
Where might we have seen you before?
In the pub.
Dream role(s)?
When I saw [tos] on Broadway, I thought: If that show ever comes to Sydney I want that part!
In 9 words exactly, why should people see [tos]?
So we actually make some money this time around.
Best advice you’ve ever received?
Come back when you're ready.
Most embarrassing thing on your iPod/iPhone/Walkman if you’re retro cool?
My headphones (that have been broken for over a month now).
Favourite audition song?
Anything I've never heard before.
Besides make an original musical, what else could you do with 4 chairs?
Sell them on eBay.
[TOS] has been described as Sondheim meets Seinfeld. If you could only watch Sondheim shows or Seinfeld episodes for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
As much as I enjoy a Seinfeld re-run, I did my PhD thesis on Sondheim, so perhaps I'm more qualified that way...
Is ‘fierce’ in your personal dictionary?
No.
That shirt looks totally [title of show] on you, describe what you are wearing for the Broadwayworld.com readers:
A red 'Surf Lifesaving Australia' hoodie (I like to wear it when it's cold outside to remind me of the beach). Oh, and pants too.
Can you knit on the bus and truck?
When I'm on tour I'm usually either drunk or carsick so, even if I could knit, I'm gonna say no. Hmmm, perhaps there's some room for self-improvement here...
If you were to invent a 'Paul Geddes' cocktail, what would it contain?
Maybe a knitting needle (see above).
If the Squabbalogic [tos] cast had a novelty awards night, what award would your castmates give you?
Probably a crate of Craisins as I like to eat them during the show. Please note the potential for sponsorship here.
What is your position on one of the world’s greatest issues: Tweeting under the influence?
If it takes drugs to tweet something worthwhile then I say go nuts.
Are you going to eat that pickle?
Probably yes. I love leftovers and hate to see food wasted. Even though our pickle got a little tired during our run, part of me was always sad when it went back into the box during the scene change.
If you could only eat one kind of food for the rest of your life what would it be?
Free.
If you were doing a 3 legged race and could choose any person dead or alive to race with, who would you choose and why?
How long is this race?
If you were a Disney character, who would you be and why?
I've always had a soft spot for the Mad Hatter. But why IS a raven like a writing desk?
Stay tuned for 'Getting to know the Women of [TOS] Sydney'!
About the production:
Director: Jay James-Moody. Musical Director: Paul Geddes. Choreographer: Monique Sallé. Co-Director: Daniel Jacobs. Lighting Designer: Mikey Rice. Producers: Jessica Burns & Luke Erickson.
Times: Tuesday-Saturday 8pm, Sunday 5pm. Duration: 95 mins, no interval.
Venue: Sidetrack Theatre, 142 Addison Rd, Addison Road Centre, Marrickville (near Reverse Garbage. 428 bus stops right out front!).
Tickets: Full $38 / Concession $30. On sale: Wednesday April 13.
Bookings: www.sidetrack.com.au or (02) 9550 3666.
Website: www.squabbalogic.com
Twitter: @titleofshowsyd
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