Talking Togas With Max Wingert Of THE PENNYPAN CABARET
After ten successful shows in Alphabet City's vaunted and venerated Nuyorican Poets Cafe, the grassroots indie-theater experiment entitled The PennyPan Cabaret is turning out to be something of a little show that could! I sat down with principle actor Max Wingert (Pan) to discuss his ongoing involvement with the cabaret as it rolls into the the third month of its residency in the east village.
PPC: Max, you had to learn a considerable amount of Italian and Spanish for this role, you are in a toga for most of the show and your character performs spoken word poetry, all significant challenges for an actor. What attracted you to this project?
Max: The very first read through with the bizarrely stoic producer (Valdaniel Martins) and the cute, somewhat manic female lead (Maya Klausner). I read the script and found it delightful. Wordy AF, but smart and funny and relatable. But...wordy, haha- the line load is intense and requires regular practice even now.
PPC: Having never done it myself, I must ask: is it awkward to perform wearing a giant set of curling rams horns?
Max: Nope. I love them. Never awkward.
PPC: Are there ways in which you personally relate to Pan?
Max: Oh god yes. Damn near all the ways. I described the character and premise of the show to a few friends and several have pointed out the parallels between myself and Pan. I get Pan. I really get the guy. Sometimes I'm telling his story. Sometimes I'm telling mine.
PPC: Pan and Syrinx (Maya Klausner) have such great, fun rapport on stage- did you know each other before working on the show?
Max: I didn't know any of these punks. And here they've gone and not only given dazzling performances, they've all managed to worm their way into my heart.
PPC: In your opinion, what is Maya's greatest asset on stage? What trait makes it easy to work together?
Max: Listening. It's all about the listening. Acting is reacting and you can't react if you aren't present in the moment with your partner or partners. And I don't only mean with the ears. It's reading the body language, chewing on the situation, contemplating your genuine answer to the stimuli at hand. It all comes back to listening.
PPC: Are you a guy who will practice his lines in public or on the train, etc?
Max: I will happily walk down the sidewalk, ride the train, and liven up an elevator ride while reading/reciting lines from literature and memory alike. People look at me. I Shakespeare at them. Life goes on.
PPC: Break it down one time- WHY should people come see The PennyPan Cabaret?
Max: Ok. The PennyPan Cabaret is a cool show in a cool location, produced and performed by some of the coolest people in New York. It's strange at times and silly at times and witty at times and wise at times. This all adds up to a true old school New York Theater experience.
PPC: Cool! Thank you, sir!
The PennyPan Cabaret continues it's journey at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe on 3/21 & 3/22. Tickets are general seating, available for $20 at the door or $18 online HERE.
www.PennyPanCabaret.com
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