Director Christine Weems Talks SRO's upcoming Production of RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL

I had a chance to get the scoop on Standing Room Only Productions' upcoming RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL from Director Christine Weems.

BWW: What is RUTHLESS! about?

Weems: Well it revolves around an 8 year old girl, named Tina, who is a pure entertainer. She sings, she dances and is very talented. Sylvia St. Croix, a sleazy talent agent, comes along with promises of making Tina a big star. She convinces Tina to audition for the school play. Unfortunately, the lead role goes to Louise who lacks talent but makes up for it with parental connections, making Tina the understudy. Well, that isn't good enough for Tina, who murders Louise and goes on as the show's star.

BWW: Wow, I'd never really heard of it before.

Weems: It's not widely known. I think because of the material. It's about a little girl who kills people and perhaps that idea seemed a bit heavy for people. What most don't know is that RUTHLESS is only meant to be a campy and fun show. It's a parody of Broadway musicals, like Gypsy and Mame, and movies such as The Bad Seed and All About Eve. When it first opened Off Broadway in 1992 they even had Britney Spears as an understudy. It's not some dark show just a super fun one. The music is extremely witty and catchy. When I first saw the show, I wished I could sing so I could be in it.

BWW: Was that what made you want to direct it?

Weems: Oh no. I only started getting into acting after law school in 2000 because I wanted a creative outlet. After awhile, in 2006, I tried my hand at directing and have been doing it ever since. I rarely act anymore. I just love the creative process involved with directing a show.

BWW: How old is the actress who plays Tina?

Weems: We have two. Sarah Leonard is 10 and she's understudied by Kyriaki Postolos who is 8. Even at those ages they are both super talented.

BWW: What is it like directing a show with such a young actress as the star? Does your creative process change?

Weems: It is different directing a show with young actors involved. It's the first time that I've directed young actors so I was a little nervous. I have to be conscious of the fact that they're young and can be more sensitive. Both of ours have done shows before and are familiar with the process but I still can't talk to them the same way that I would an adult actor For example, it's unrealistic of me to ask someone that young to sit still for 3 hours while I would expect that from an adult. Luckily working with the girls has been great. They have their mothers with them to help out and I have a great team. So, there are adjustments to make between having adult and child actors, but I've worked out a good balance.

BWW: Are you ready to direct a children's show now?

Weems: Ummm, no. [Laughter]. I don't think I'm quite ready for that.

BWW: Though the show was written for an all female cast, it has become somewhat of a tradition to have the role of Sylvia St. Croix performed by a man simply because Joel Vig gave the best audition for the original 1992 production. Is Sylvia St. Croix going to be performed by a male of female?

Weems: We have a man playing it. That said, we were open with the audition notice for either gender. It just so happened that Jay Menchaca sold it the best and knocked it out of the ball park.

BWW: What's been the most ruthless thing that you've seen or experienced in the world of theatre?

Weems: Oh wow, that's a good question. I can't think of anything ruthless. I haven't been stabbed in the back. I've been really lucky and haven't had any of those experiences in my 14 years of doing theatre. Unless something has actually happened and I just never realized it!

BWW: Is there anything else you'd like to let the audience know about RUTHLESS! ?

Weems: It's a wonderful opportunity to see a musical that's not commonly done. It's one of those shows that is fun, campy and will make your cheeks hurt from laughing. It's not going to change your life and give you something to think about at the end. Those profound deep thinking shows can be quite nice, but this is more of a leave your problems at the door type show. You're supposed to come and have a good with something that's purely made to make you laugh with its infectious and over the top nature. If people think anything when they leave then, I hope that they'll wonder why this amusing show isn't done more often.

Well there you have it folks. Move over Toddlers and Tiaras because Standing Room Only Productions' RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL is coming to Houston from Feb. 12- 28 at Obsidian Art Space, 3522 White Oak, Houston, Texas. For tickets and more information please visit www.sro-productions.com.

Photo credit: Christine Weems