Interview: DIRECTOR & PLAYWRIGHT JOHN KEHOE - 420 THE MUSICAL!

The multi-talented John Kehoe is the Director and Playwright of the upcoming 420 The Musical at Alleyway Theatre.

I'm not sure where he fit in the time to talk to me but he did.

Thank you, John!

MCL: What does the term 420 mean?

JK: 420 is a word/phrase/term to go smoke some weed. It started with a bunch of friends who acquired a map to a field of pot and they would meet up at 4:20, after class and go search for it. They never did find it. One of the guys became a roadie for The Dead and kept using 420 and it slowly became a thing amongst the band and then their fans.

MCL:What is the Francis Bacon Experiment? Who is Francis Bacon?

How did it start?

JK: The Francis Bacon Experiment was named for my cat. I booked a improv show but didn't have a group. So after I got a few friends to join me we needed a name for it. While getting high one night I was talking about my cat Francis Bacon. I had never had a cat for a pet, I'm more a dog person, and I said that he was my Francis Bacon Experiment and we both looked at each other and said that's the name of the group. Since 2008 it was been a improv group, a theater company, and a Production Company.

MCL:What is your role in 420 The Musical?

JK: My role is quite large in 420 The Musical, I wrote it, this year I'm directing it, along with doing set design, advertising, and promotions. I have played 3 characters throughout the past 7 years also

MCL:How would you describe your directing style?

JK:I have directed only a hand full of plays so I consider myself a rookie still. I'm very willing to let the actors explore the character rather than push and prod them. Once we find that right feel, I'll tweak it to get it as good as possible. I'm very flexible and calm in my style I'd say.

MCL: What draws you, as a director, to 420 The Musical?

JK: What draws me to it, first and foremost it's my creation so I know it inside and out and what it can be. Secondly, I haven't directed it in 2 years so I was itching to get back to it and C. It's just so fun! And the friendships I've made during this musical have been fantastic.

MCL:Let's say you meet someone who has never been to live theater. What do you say to them to get them to buy a ticket?

JK: I would tell them about the emotional impact of live theater weather it's drama or comedy or musical. I would then tell them that 420 is the funniest, sweetest, dirtiest, silliness musical they may ever see. If you like the Wizard of Oz, Cheech and Chong, and laughing then you'll love 420 The Musical!

MCL:Finally ... What about 420 The Musical do you want the audience to know that we didn't cover?

JK:I would like folks to know that it's not just for pot heads or stoners. It's for anyone who enjoys a good story and fun night out. The original music written by Buffalo's own Laura Lonski is fantastic and will have you humming them for weeks to come!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON 420 THE MUSICAL:

http://alleyway.com/

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays April 5th - 21st

Alleyway Theatre

1 Curtain Up Alley Buffalo NY

For tickets 420TheMusical.com and

420themusicalbuffalo.brownpapertickets.com