Michael Arden and Kristin Hanggi Chat About Easter Rising

Michael Arden and Kristin Hanggi have been hard at work on the December 21st concert of EASTER RISING, Michael's new musical, written with book-writer Isaac Oliver. Michael and Kristin have been attached at the hip for that past week or so. One might think, this would actually drive them clinically insane, but instead of hurling insults or ashtrays at one another, the sat down to ask each other a few questions about theater, collaboration, and sex.

Michael-
I know that you used to be an actor, and as I've heard, a pretty great one. When was the moment that you decided to move into directing? And what do you find draws you to it?

Kristin-
Honestly, there was a moment where I realized that it was more fulfilling for me to be the "Mother" of a project as opposed to a smaller piece inside someone else's project. The high I get off of directing is ten times greater than that I ever got from acting. Also, I'm a control freak, so directing works best with my personality. I directed a play in college that was received well, and after it opened, I went to the party where all these cute guy actors approached me, and said, "I wanna be in your next play." From that moment on I knew this was my field!

Michael, the other night, we were talking about how you became a singer. Talk about the moment you realized you could sing.

Michael-
Yesterday, about two o'clock. (Ba-dum-ching!) I went to a summer camp at Interlochen in Michigan. It was the first time in my life that I was around a high and professional caliber of artists. Getting a compliment from them truly meant something and also forced me for the first time to be critical of myself and my own work. I think there's a time in every artist's life where mutual respect first occurs and that's an unforgettable moment. From then on, all it's about is maintaining that respect and challenging yourself.

Kristin-
When did you realized "this is what I have to do with my life?"

Michael-
When I saw Master Class on Broadway and I was so moved by the truth I was seeing on stage. I thought to myself "I have to share this with people. That's what I have to do."

Michael-
What draws to musicals? What drew you to Easter Rising?

Kristin-
I think the reason I love musicals, as do lot of people, is because there is an escapist inside of all of us. And I think, often, musicals are something that let us dream bigger than ourselves. Even as a kid, I lived entirely in my imagination. Musicals allow us to soar in that place. As I became an adult, I think the musicals I am drawn most to are those that tell stories about human interaction and connection. When I first heard EASTER RISING, I really loved the music. As I began to work on it, I realized that one of the things that bonds you (Michael) and I together is we both love stories that involve the triumph of the human spirit. And in Easter Rising, you are searching for answers to the human questions that haunt everyone, no matter what background you come from or life you lead.

So, since we're talking about your musical, when you did you start writing music?

Michael-
When I was in my first year at Julliard, my best friend's father past away. I was severely grief stricken by this and I walked into a practice room and sat down at a piano and wrote my first song. It was my way to express my feelings in an artistic way. I gave the song to the family and it really helped them. That's when I realized I wanted to use music and lyrics and theater in a healing way. Cause I think all good music and theater in some way heals. Then my acting teacher at Julliard, who recently passed away, asked me to write music to Shakespeare's "As You Like It." That was the first time I truly wrote music. I'm really proud of what I did on that show.

Kristin-
Easter Rising" is the first musical you have written and as a young actor who has had success early in your career, how has the experience differed as actor than a composer? And how has being an actor shaped you as a composer?

Michael-
As an actor, one has to "play dumb" to what is happening next. We have to forget the outcome. Where as a composer, I have to think about the entire piece all the time and be aware of the end at the beginning and visa versa. So, in changing hats, I switch from being a builder to an architect. So, the builder lays a brick one by one to finish the building in chronological order, where as the architect must design the cornerstone to support the steeple. That was, like, eight metaphors.

Change of subject: your stage work has such a cinematic quality. Many remark that the action never stops and that it flows somewhat like a film from moment to moment. Does, and if so, how does film play a part in your theatrical work?

Kristin-
I think that when people say that my work is cinematic, there are probably referring to two things. First, I'm really interested in emotional truth onstage as opposed to "playing to the back of the house". I had a directing teacher who once told me that if a moment is incredibly true, however subtle or intimate, no matter where you are sitting in a theater, you will feel it. That truly interests me. Secondly, I love fluidity onstage. I think the magical thing about theater is that we can move quickly from one moment to the next, We have no limits because our imagination inherently fills in so much. So, using film language, we can use; jump-cuts, close-ups, dissolves, etc. But we can do it theatrically, which can lead to very exciting experience for the audience.

Michael-
Kristin, tell me about the cast of Easter Rising. Any thoughts?

Kristin-
I think we so lucky to have these people., Steven Pasquale, from Man of No Importance, Six Feet Under, Rescue Me, and Beautiful Child. Boy, can he sing, and what an amazing actor. Kerry Butler, from Bat Boy, Hairspray and Little Shop of Horrors. Amazing voice and what humanity onstage. Colin Hanlon from Rent and Tick Tick Boom. He brings so much to the table emotionally that it takes your breath away. Oh, and then there's this hack named Michael Arden, who would want to work with him twice?

 

Michael-
Not me. Isn't he that guy who looks like John Mayer?

Kristin-
Seriously, everyone is fantastic and has worked hard to put this concert/reading together. This is sort of a crazy and huge task we have put on our shoulders. I mean, your music isn't the easiest to pick, up, but everyone has really stepped up to the plate ten-fold. Seeing the music and book up on its feet is invaluable in the process of creating a new musical, and what a group to do it. It should be a very exciting night. Hopefully this will just the beginning of this piece. It's still a work in progress, but it definitely looks like it has a bright future.

Tell me about your collaborators on this project?

Michael-
Isaac Oliver who contributed the book is a fantastic young playwright. I think he has a remarkable talent. Matt Richardson who orchestrates and arranges my music is able to understand how I hear music better than anyone I ever met. I can hum something over the phone and he'll understand exactly what I mean and how to write a cello part for it. Our MD, Paul Masse, has made sense of the score and been an incredible vessel from which the actors have absorbed the music.

Kristin-
Aren't you forgetting someone? Someone who you are starting to believe actually lives on your sofa? And to whom you owe a total of seven thousand dollars in back Starbucks drinks to?

Michael-
No, that's it. Stage Manager? (Sound of crickets.) But seriously, I think I was born to work with this lady.

Kristin-
Now I'm getting all choked up.

Michael-
Sometimes I think we share a common brain and heart. And the past week, a couch. Do you hate me?

Kristin-
Michael, I could say some very cheesy things right now, but you already know them all. (beat) So, should we talk about our sex lives now, or should that wait until the next interview?

Michael-
Unfortunately, we filled our allotted number of questions. Damn! Next time!

Easter Rising, starring Michael Arden, Kerry Butler, Colin Hanlon, and Steven Pasquale takes place on Tuesday, December 21st at Joe's Pub at 7pm and at 9pm. Tickets are $25, call 212-239-6200 for tickets. To make a reservation at Joe's Pub, call 212-539-8778. Joe's Pub at the Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street.