There are probably few pop-culture figures that were less likely to grace a Broadway stage than former Heaveyweight champion Mike Tyson. However, in August 2012, after a run at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, the controversial boxer debuted "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth" at Broadway's Longacre Theatre. In this one-man show, directed by film director Spike Lee ("Do the Right Thing", "Malcolm X"), Tyson discusses everything from is troubled childhood, his boxing career, his 1992 rape conviction, and much more.
The "Hangover" star brings his show, written by his wife Kiki, to Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre for one night only, Saturday, April 20th. Recently, Tyson spoke with Broadway World Atlanta about the show and its creation.
BWW: How did the idea for a one-man show come about?
Tyson: My wife and I were driving in Las Vegas and noticed a billboard about Chaz Palmintieri's one-man show. We went to see it and it was riveting. It was very inspiring. I told my wife I wanted to try doing my own one-man show because I basically do this when I make appearances overseas. I am on stage talking about my life in a Q&A format. This time I wanted to challenge myself and do a more theatrical piece. So my wife started writing the play and we met a producer in Vegas and he wanted to produce us and we had a run at the MGM for two weeks. Then we had to travel to Poland right after the show and
Spike Lee called and said he wanted to do the show on Broadway.
BWW: How would you describe the show?
Tyson: It's a roller coaster of emotions. I talk about my life and growing up in a tough neighborhood and having to rob and steal to survive and how my life changed when I met my mentor. I talk about all of the sensationalized headlines that have surrounded my life. I give my all to the audience for nearly two hours. I lace in a lot of humor to lighten the load of my story. It was important to my wife and I that we created a show that made the audience walk away feeling good.
BWW: Your wife Kiki wrote the script for the show. Was it difficult to work on writing some of the more challenging parts of your life with her?
Tyson: No, it wasn't difficult at all. What people don't realize is that I have known her since she was 19 years old (she is 36 now). We have been friends for many years and our relationship is very strong. We don't keep secrets from one another and we are very aware of who we are in our relationship.
BWW: Your boxing training is legendary, so I'm interested to know how you prepared for something that is so different than anything you've ever done before, including your other acting experiences.
Tyson: I do a lot of endurance training and I up my cardio closer to performance time. I also have a vocal coach that has taught me some amazing ways to warm up my voice before I perform. I had no idea there was so much preparation actors went through to prepare for a performance.
BWW: You've been involved in some of the biggest events in sports history, but did you have any nerves or even fear before your first performance in Las Vegas?
Tyson: Of course I did. But nerves are good. It's just adrenaline. Once I hit the stage (just like in a fight) and I hear the roar of the crowd cheering me on, I am then at ease. I just try to have fun up there. I am no Shakespeare, but I am an entertainer. I know how to entertain people. That is what I have been doing my whole life in my boxing career. I'm just transferring platforms and having a lot of fun with it
BWW: After the Las Vegas version of the show, Spike Lee came on board as director for the Broadway run. What influence has he had on the show since then?
Tyson: Spike Lee is a great director. The greatest thing he brought to the show was teaching me how to become the characters I talked about. For the Vegas show, we just talked about the characters that played out in my life but once Spike got involved, he got me a vocal/acting coach and I became the characters. Instead of just talking about them, I gave life to them and impersonated them on stage. This took the show from good to spectacular.
BWW: In recent years you've done a number of television and movie appearances, how did those experiences prepare you for the stage experience? How was it different for you acting on stage compared to in front of a camera?
Tyson: I honestly like the live platform of stage performing. Because that is the ultimate test of a true artistic warrior. If you mess up, there aren't any second takes, you just have to keep going. I also love the crowd interaction of a live stage performance. This really gets me going. The live crowd gives you the best energy.
BWW: Since so much of your life has been lived in the public's eye, is there anything new that the audience can learn about you from the show?
Tyson: Yes, there is a lot the audience learns about me. Each person's experience is different. Everybody takes away something. The greatest thing I think people take away is leaving knowing I am not much different from them. There are a lot of relatable parallels.
BWW: You've been performing this show, in one form or another, for a year now, how has your performance changed in that time?
Tyson: I am more confident as a performer. I know how to improvise and change things up based on the kind of crowd I'm performing too. I learn something different through each performance. Every night is new and challenging.
BWW: Finally, after the tour ends, what is next for you? Any more acting plans in the future?
Tyson: I have a production company with my wife and our plan is to produce movies and other live shows for other people. I have my charity, the
Mike Tyson Cares Foundation, that I would like to focus on when the tour commences as well. I am just very grateful for all the opportunities that I have and having a great deal of fun at this stage in my life.
"Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth" plays at the Fox Theatre for one night only, Saturday, April 20th. To get tickets, call
1-855-ATL-TIXX or visit
FoxATLTix.com
