BWW Interviews: Composer Adam Guettel on The LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET

Adam Guettel is heading over to the UK as part of the London Festival of Cabaret - he's in concert and conversation with diva and director Maria Friedman at the Ambassadors Theatre on May 20th and 21st. We asked more...

How did you get involved with the festival?

Neil Marcus, our producer, asked me to do some shows with Maria this spring. I would spend time with her and in London for any reason at all. Also, you have Refreshers, which I eat by the case.

When did you first meet Maria?

Maria came to see me last year at the Hippodrome. It was my first foray into performing live in 14 years. I was nervous beyond belief but I could see her beaming at me from the back booth, keeping me aloft. She is the most generous and alive human being.

The press release says you'll be talking about and performing a few of your favourite songs - can you give us some hints on what you might be including in the set?

I love Glad To Be Unhappy, a Rodgers and Hart tune from On Your Toes. I love John Bucchino's Unexpressed. But I'm having fun finding lovely things that aren't as known. I can promise a few surprises.

And will you be in town for long enough to see any shows or any of the other cabarets?

Haley, who I get to marry in a month, and I want to see everything we can get our hands on - to start with, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.... we are open to suggestions.

The London Festival of Cabaret begins on May 6th.