Interview With WORKING 2020's Bobby Moresco

Bobby Moresco (Producer) Bobby is an Academy Award-winning writer, director and producer, hailing from Hell's Kitchen, New York. In 2007, Moresco received an Oscar for co-writing the feature film "CRASH". Other features include, Academy Award-winner "MILLION DOLLAR BABY" and "10TH & WOLF", starring James Marsden, which was his directorial debut. Moresco's TV credits include "EZ Streets", "Falcone", "The Black Donnellys", and a soon TBA Comedy Special with Colin Quinn.

Interview with WORKING 2020's Bobby Moresco by Steve Peterson

What was the genesis of this project?

Like everybody else in the country in the last couple of years, I've been concerned about the disappearing middle class. In my opinion, it's the heart and soul of who we are, what we are, the ability for a mother or father to work hard and in return receive some sort of economic stability in their lives. Some sort of security by virtue of the work put forth.

What inspired you to continue exploring workers' lives in 2020?

I felt some responsibility to speak to it. The idea was inspired by what Studs Terkel did in the original "Working" and what Camus explored in The Myth of Sisyphus, the idea that work is the essential question in one's life. And it will either destroy you, or be your salvation. That's intriguing in a very contemporary way for me. Camus suggests that one must imagine Sisyphus happy. It seems essential.

There was a musical based on the Terkel's book that ran for about a about month on Broadway? Did you see it or have knowledge of it; and was there anything different you were wanting to achieve with a new piece inspired by his work?

Yes I did see it. And of course I read Terkel's book. The new inspiration came simply from trying to marry Terkel's ideas with Camus'.

How did you go about developing the concept in workshop?

I brought the idea into the Actors' Gym Saturday afternoon sessions, presented it to the writers and actors in the group, and asked them to consider writing a character study that might explore the ideas outlined above. I gave them a structure to work with. And they went to work. It was about a two-year journey where everyone continued to put forth ideas, dialogue, characters, and then a reworking, until we wound up with what is now the play.

Tell us a bit about the play.

It's everything we speak about above. Eleven characters commune with the audience and share their story of the expectation of who and what they are and how the idea and hope of work impacts their lives.

What do you want the audience to take away or feel from having seen WORKING 2020?

I'm hoping they'll be emotionally involved with the lives of the people on the stage and they take away whatever they take away from it. It's not about a message. It's about the human condition, as the writers and actors performing these pieces, see that condition.

What's up next for you in regards to directing, writing and producing?

There's a play I'm attached to direct by one of the Actors' Gym members, William Hoffman. I recently directed Colin Quinn in RED STATE BLUE STATE which has been running at the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York City. I was tremendously excited about directing that. I have a new movie I am directing called "Lamborghini - The Legend" starring Antonio Banderas and Alec Baldwin which will finish shooting in Rome in July. And I'm working on a couple of new television shows, one with legendary director William Friedkin, and one with the multi-talented Dito Montiel.

Is there anything else you wished we had asked or you'd like us to know about the production or about you?

Yes, I wish you had asked more about Bryan Rasmussen and the Whitefire Theater, and Bryan's commitment to new and vital works. Without people like Bryan and the Whitefire, there would be no place to put up new pieces of theater. We'd be back on the street corner, which isn't so bad, but a theater is better J

Also, I wish you had asked about the collaborative work of the crew. Not just the artists. The crew has been amazing, starting with my partner in crime director Larry McLean, and our lighting crew Derek McDaniel and Tor Brown. And of course, my producers Bryan Rasmussen and Steven Christopher Parker.

WORKING 2020 runs Fridays at 8:00 pm. April 5 - May 10. Appropriate for ages 18+. Tickets: $25. For tickets and information: whitefiretheatre.com or 818.687.8559. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks 91423.