Struts & Frets: Interviews with Cast & Crew of King John - Travis Klemm

Travis Klemm has never officially run for Pope, but if he could, we know who we'd vote for. Oh, wait. Never mind, we read his Struts & Frets and realized it's probably best the Vatican doesn't let us vote in such matters. But, he's still wildly entertaining here and as Cardinal Pandulph in Hamlet Isn't Dead's King John. Check him out below, then check him out in the show!

Dona nobis paKlemm

HID: Okay, first things first, what's your favorite color and what's your character's favorite color?

TK: My favorite color is green, while Pandulph's is a nice velvety red. Far more interesting though are our favorite smells: I like fresh baked cinnamon rolls, while Pandulph loves the scent of human despair, with just a hint of lilac. 

HID: If Pope Innocent were to die, and New Pope (Pope Francis) were to take over, how would Pandulph react? Would they get along?

TK: For starters, why are we assuming that Francis would be the next pope? Pandulph has quiiiiite a few favors to call in at the old college of cardinals, and you'd be surprised how much bribe money can be stashed inside a hollowed out crucifix. If all else fails a pocket full of charcoal will keep that smoke billowing black til they make the choice the Lord really wants. 

HID: Pandulph kind of helps to throw a pall over Blanch and Lewis' marriage. Have you ever accidentally or intentionally broken up a couple?

TK: I have before, and I will again, but we can't go giving away all our secrets now can we? 

HID: Being representative of the pope must be pretty taxing, when Pandulph isn't doing pope-y errands, or serving as God's vessel, how does he like to unwind?

TK: On his days off Pandulph enjoys the usual things. Chasing peasants, belittling surfs, selling indulgences for extra spending money, and torturing puppies in the basement of the abbey. Sometimes he likes to disguise himself as a poor street prophet and travel town to town sowing rumors, discord, and mistrust towards the monarchy.

HID: You have the honor of performing in the most Hamlet Isn't Dead shows of any of the HIDiots, what keeps bringing you back? What show are you most excited about that's coming up in the canon?

TK: It's all about the money and fame truthfully. I can't wait to find out what happens to this Hamlet guy! If he isn't dead, does that mean he's…undead? Are zombies what's rotten in the state of Denmark?!?

Our lips are sealed as far as Denmark is concerned, but the word is out about King John, and the word is good! Last night's show was sold out, so be sure to get your tickets and don't miss this wonderfully unusual event!

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Tickets are available at http://hidkj.bpt.me/ -- One weekend only! March 23rd - 26th!

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

If you haven't Liked us already on Facebook, now is the time! All the cool kids are doing it.
https://www.facebook.com/HamletIsntDead

If Twitter's more your speed, we have that too. We just want to please you any way we can.https://twitter.com/hamletisntdead

Or to see us in action, you can check us out (and subscribe, hint, hint) at https://www.youtube.com/user/hamletisntdead

Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.

Struts & Frets: Interviews with the Cast & Crew of King John - Steven Godoy

It's too late, isn't it? You've already looked down at the picture below, and now you're magically trapped in Steven Godoy's eyes forever. *sigh* You're probably not even reading this, because you're so transfixed by his steely gaze. That's alright; it's not like we can blame you. We probably should have censored the picture or something. Oh well. We can think of much worse ways to be stuck.

Actually we can't think of anything else right now. *drool*

HID: Okay, first things first, what's your favorite color and what's your character's favorite color?

SG: Okay, my favorite color is green. Lewis' favorite color is actually Red, but that's the color of the English banners, so he lies and says it's Blue. Gotta keep up appearances.

HID: Lewis is the Dauphin, but if he were transformed into a dolphin what would he do?

SG: I would lead my forces of Bottlenose Brethren and take the Deep Oceans back from those Godforsaken Swordfish. After establishing a puppet government with them, we will harvest their resources to triple our numbers. Once we proven our strength, we will form an alliance with the Killer Whales of the Arctic and the Blue Whales of the Pacific, and, with their reinforcements and swordfish surf labor, launch a full sale invasion on the Coastal Waters currently inhabited by the barbaric Sharks Clans and Subspecies. Once they have been eliminated, we will march on the land, sacking human settlements, until with we have unified the world under one flipper.

HID: Lewis and Phillip have a pretty strong father-son relationship. If they were to compete in a father-son event at a county fair, what would they take home the blue ribbon for?

SG: The sack race. We are very efficient at sacking settlements.

HID: If Lewis wants to feel really sexy, what's his go-to outfit?

SG: My suit of armor. Women love a man in uniform.

HID: You come from a big, Italian family. Have they ever meddled in your love life? Have you ever had to come to the rescue of one of your family members?

SG: No, for a traditional Italian American family they are pretty good at keeping out of my love life, and when I bring a girl around, they are pretty warm and hospitable. I'm the one that keeps getting into trouble. 

Help keep Steve out of trouble by supporting his acting habit. Come see Steve and all of the HIDiots in Hamlet Isn't Dead's King John, opening TONIGHT!
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Tickets are available at http://hidkj.bpt.me/ -- One weekend only! March 23rd - 26th!

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

If you haven't Liked us already on Facebook, now is the time! All the cool kids are doing it.
https://www.facebook.com/HamletIsntDead

If Twitter's more your speed, we have that too. We just want to please you any way we can.https://twitter.com/hamletisntdead

Or to see us in action, you can check us out (and subscribe, hint, hint) at https://www.youtube.com/user/hamletisntdead

Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.

Struts & Frets: Interviews with the Cast & Crew of King John - Dani Cervone

Brevity is the soul of wit; this much we know to be true. And in the case of Dani Cervone's Struts & Frets interviews, this is the wittiest one of the bunch! We're sure there's more to her answers than meets the eye, so be on the lookout as you read it for acrostics, anagrams, and other secret messages. Read well!

It's a read or be read kind of article.

HID: So first thing's first what is your favorite color and what is your character's favorite color?

DC: My favorite color is burnt orange. Elinor's is cobalt blue

HID: John is obviously Elinor's favorite son--do you have siblings? Are you the favorite child?

DC: I have two siblings, one older sister and one younger sister. I know I am my father's favorite child because I am most like him.

HID: If Elinor was queen in her own right, what would be her first official act?

DC: If Elinor were queen she would change the monarchy in a way that the elder monarch would choose their successor rather than it merely being a birthright. It should remain in the family but only go to the one who can actually handle the responsibility.

HID: Elinor is also not afraid of the battlefield, she's a fighter, what's her workout routine? Cardio? Barre? Does she have a power song she likes to train to?

DC: Cardio-kickboxing to 90s angry grunge.

HID: You have some experience with interactive/improvised theatre, are you applying any of that training in working on King John?

DC: Improv doesn't come into play much in this production so much as Meisner, which I suppose in some way is related because it's about reacting to what you get from the other person.

Did you find the hidden message? If not, read it again. And, failing at that, come ask her in person at Hamlet Isn't Dead's King John, opening TOMORROW!
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Tickets are available at http://hidkj.bpt.me/ -- One weekend only! March 23rd - 26th!

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

If you haven't Liked us already on Facebook, now is the time! All the cool kids are doing it.
https://www.facebook.com/HamletIsntDead

If Twitter's more your speed, we have that too. We just want to please you any way we can.https://twitter.com/hamletisntdead

Or to see us in action, you can check us out (and subscribe, hint, hint) at https://www.youtube.com/user/hamletisntdead

Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.

Struts & Frets: Interviews with the Cast & Crew of King John - Isaac Andrew

Happy Spring, everyone! And here comes your favorite Easter Bunny to help you celebrate, Isaac Andrew! (Seriously though, ask him for some Peeps; he's a great sharer) Isaac plays Salisbury and the ever-important First Citizen in Hamlet Isn't Dead's King John, and between the show and this interview, he's going to be the only citizen you'll want in your life.

First by name, first by nature.

 

HID: So first thing's first what is your favorite color and what are your characters favorite colors?

IA: I’m going to have to go with Blue. Then again, purple has its charms. What do you get when you mix them? Blurple? Heliotrope! Definitely Heliotrope.

HID: The first citizen comes up with the plot to marry Blanche and Lewis--have you ever been set up on a date or played matchmaker for any of your friends?

IA: Back in High School I was set up by well-meaning friends with a very new age girl named Destiny. I kid you not; I had a date with Destiny. It could have gone better.

HID:  Does Salisbury like Salisbury steak? Is it named after him? What is Salisbury steak?

IA: Salisbury loves a good bit of steak as much as the next man! Turns out, Salisbury steak is just ground beef, sometimes mixed with other foods, shaped like a hamburger patty and broiled or fried, often garnished or served with a sauce. It’s named after J. H. Salisbury (1823 – 1905), a U.S. physician who promoted the eating of such steaks. I know, I’m disappointed too.

HID: Salisbury serves as kind of a punching bag for the court in the beginning, but manages to rise to the top by the end. How does he manage to navigate the political minefield?

IA: Salisbury survives and thrives the many political tumults of the times by listening to 2 things: knowing when to stick unwaveringly to moral principles, and how to abandon them when your life is at stake.

HID: You are a Canadian import, and we feel oh so lucky to have you in New York, what's your favorite quintessential thing you can get in Canada but not in the US?

IA: It’s all about Reese’s. Here, a normal pack is two delicious peanut butter cups, and a king size gets you a third. In Canada, you start with three and get a fourth with a king size. That’s so much more! Americans are getting gypped. In this, and health care.

We're not saying Isaac will buy you a Reese's cup if you come see King John, but we're not saying he won't either. Take a chance for him and the rest of the HIDiots THIS WEEKEND ONLY!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tickets are available at http://hidkj.bpt.me/ -- One weekend only! March 23rd - 26th!

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

If you haven't Liked us already on Facebook, now is the time! All the cool kids are doing it.
https://www.facebook.com/HamletIsntDead

If Twitter's more your speed, we have that too. We just want to please you any way we can.https://twitter.com/hamletisntdead

Or to see us in action, you can check us out (and subscribe, hint, hint) at https://www.youtube.com/user/hamletisntdead

Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.

Struts & Frets: Interviews with the Cast & Crew of King John - Kathryn Connors

Let's look at the facts: None of Shakespeare's plays are only named solely after a woman. Sure, there are plenty of "Cressidas" and "Merry Wives" in the titles, but where's Shakespeare's answer to all the "Hamlet"s, "Macbeth"s, and "Coriolanus"es? That's a problem we're always ready to solve.

Fact number two is that her initials, KC, are suspiciously close to KJ. For that, and a variety of other talented reasons, we are thrilled to introduce Kathryn Connors as Hamlet Isn't Dead's King John!

"God save the Queen" loses a lot of its impact
when she could probably kick your butt six ways to Sunday.

HID: So first thing's first what is your favorite color and what is your character's favorite color?

KC: PURPLE. I wasn't aware there were any other colors that mattered. But John's got a thing for forest green. She finds it calming, but not girly.

HID: King John is pretty ruthless about gaining power, what is the most ruthless thing you have ever done?

KC: Making my personal training and group fitness clients do burpees. All the burpees.

HID: King John sometimes uses her feminine wiles as a way to get what she wants, if she were planning a seductive evening what would she put on the soundtrack?

KC: 'Remember the Name' by Fort Minor.

"This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skillFifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!"

HID: What are you most nervous about tackling in portraying John?

KC: My crown falling off.....but in all seriousness, the King John of history was kind of a jerk. I'm not super nice in this play either, but John is still human. I don't want the audience to completely hate me.

HID: If the bastard wanted to soothe John by reading her a bedtime story, what would be the best book to read to her to help her sleep?

KC: Spartan UP!: A Take-No-Prisoners Guide to Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Peak Performance in Life by Joe De Sena and Jeff O'Connell. Aroo, y'all.

Is...is that soothing? Remind us not to have any sleepovers with King John. But you should Spartan up and head down to see Kathryn, and all the other HIDiots, in Hamlet Isn't Dead's King John, opening this Wednesday!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tickets are available at http://hidkj.bpt.me/ -- One weekend only! March 23rd - 26th!

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

If you haven't Liked us already on Facebook, now is the time! All the cool kids are doing it.
https://www.facebook.com/HamletIsntDead

If Twitter's more your speed, we have that too. We just want to please you any way we can.https://twitter.com/hamletisntdead

Or to see us in action, you can check us out (and subscribe, hint, hint) at https://www.youtube.com/user/hamletisntdead

Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.

Struts & Frets: Interviews with the Cast & Crew of King John - Leah Alfieri

Well, well, well. Look who we have here. If it isn't Leah Alfieri! (It is, by the way) It's relatively rare that women get to play Shakespeare's royalty, but Hamlet Isn't Dead is all about fixing that. With a female King John, Leah plays her daughter and heir, Henry III! She also play's John's rival to the throne, the young Arthur! But he's being played as a boy. But Henry III is a woman. It's all very confusing.

The only thing that will serve to clear things up is to agree that Leah is amazing, read this stupendous Struts & Frets, and see the show without delay. Deal?

Deal!

HID: So first thing's first what is your favorite color and what are your characters favorite colors?

LA: The answer for all three is green, and I'm not just saying that to be lazy. For Arthur, it reminds him of where he'd rather be--out in the world (maybe tending sheep?!). Henry prefers a deeper green; it's evocative for her of the ways in which she can preserve her youthful vigor even in the face of great responsibility and tragedy.

HID: Arthur seems pretty uncomfortable about everyone trying to put him in power, but if he secretly had a sadistic side, what would he do as an evil king?

LA: I think that Arthur's closest thing to a "sadistic side" would be a well-intentioned decision with disastrous consequences. So maybe he tries to institute a "Stop Fighting All The Time!!!!!!!!!!!" law and accidentally takes away free speech. 

HID: Arthur also does manage to sweet talk his way out of a really sticky situation. Have you ever talked your way into something or out of a punishment?

LA: I sweet-talked my way into this play. [Editor's Note: Basically, yeah]

HID: Henry is pretty mature for her age, but we bet she still loves to play. What's her favorite game?

LA: Henry is definitely a cards player. Maybe not poker yet, but she's probably recently graduated from something like Uno or Go Fish to something in the bigger league, like Rummy. 

HID: Henry & Arthur are both hardly of age. Is there anything particularly difficult about tackling playing younger characters?

LA: Well, the first step for me when I work on playing younger characters is to establish a very specific physicality. Maybe it's my haircut and/or my frame, but I'm frequently asked to play younger boys; I've learned that there's all sorts of physical layering that needs to be accomplished in order for audiences to suspend their disbelief enough to believe an adult woman as a young boy. In addition to that, children have a fundamentally different way of comprehending and experiencing the world than we do as adults. So as I listen and respond and make choices throughout the play, there's a sort of additional translation process that the events need to go through as they are filtered through the lens of a child. 

Well said, Leah! Come see Leah say lots of other things well (alongside a bunch of other HIDiots) at Hamlet Isn't Dead's King John, opening Wednesday!

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Tickets are available at http://hidkj.bpt.me/ -- One weekend only! March 23rd - 26th!

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

If you haven't Liked us already on Facebook, now is the time! All the cool kids are doing it.
https://www.facebook.com/HamletIsntDead

If Twitter's more your speed, we have that too. We just want to please you any way we can.https://twitter.com/hamletisntdead

Or to see us in action, you can check us out (and subscribe, hint, hint) at https://www.youtube.com/user/hamletisntdead 

Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.

Struts & Frets: Interviews with the Cast & Crew of King John - Brooke Reynolds

If you're reading this on the day it goes out, it's Brooke Reynold's birthday! If you're reading it from the future, we hope you remembered to wish her well! And if you're reading this from the past...but, how??

Either way, welcome to the wonderful world of Brooke Reynolds! Things here are wonderful, wacky, and always full of fun. If these answers don't convince you, check her out in person as Constance in Hamlet Isn't Dead's King John! See her before she sees you.

Too late. Brooke always sees you.

HID: Okay, first things first, what's your favorite color and what's your character's favorite color?

BR: My favorite color is black because you can’t tell when I get coffee and dirt all over myself, which is pretty much a daily occurrence because caffeine. (PSA over-comsuption of caffeine can make you hyped enough that you basically roll around the floor screaming giddy gibberish, hence the dirt. Or twerk violently to a beat no one else can hear).

Luckily for me, Constance’s favorite color is also black, which is definitely going to save me some serious time I would have spent in character research. How does her preference for black affect the given circumstances? Is she always overheated? What is it to appreciate the essence of “black” as an entity. Phew. But for real, she’s a widow who wants everyone to know it. So black.

HID: Constance does some pretty serious old-school cursing. If Constance were concocting a physical curse, what are the ingredients she would stew in her pot?

BR: Oh, easy! The tongues of my usurping Mother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law, the curdled blood of blasphemers, Cardinal Pandulph’s blessed fingernail clippings, the righteous tears of my wronged son Prince Arthur, candied oranges, the soil of my homeland, and a dash of late night merlot. Normally she won’t touch the stuff--it’s been known to loosen bra straps--but a bit of wine in the potion really helps the mixture to release its inhibitions.

HID: Constance also gets into a pretty nasty cat fight with Elinor. If she were to appear on a reality TV show, what would it be?

BR: You would think you might find these sharp-tongued gals drawing blood on The Bad Girl’s Club or Real Housewives, but honestly Constance is all about The Bachelor. After all, hasn’t she been on the market long enough? Hope you’re reading this King Phillip.

HID: Constance is first and foremost a tiger mom. What is her favorite way to bond with Arthur in their downtime?

BR: What good are children if they can’t make their parents feel loved and appreciated? Arthur gives the best footrubs. Prime bonding.

HID: Have you ever played a crazy character or a character who is losing their mind before?

BR: Other than a stint as Isabella in ‘The Madness of Isabella”, most of the characters I play tilt right on the edge madness, or just love to talk too much. But as Isabella would say, “Ding dong ding dong, the bells go up the street, the cats are pawing smartly and the forks are on their feet; the mountains shrink wrap sandwiches of bread and cheese and meat, and still the quibbling chinstraps are resting on their seat"

Makes sense to us! You know what else makes sense? Making sure you don't miss Brooke Reynolds, and all the HIDiots, in Hamlet Isn't Dead's King John! Get all your info below!

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Tickets are available at http://hidkj.bpt.me/ -- One weekend only! March 23rd - 26th!

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

If you haven't Liked us already on Facebook, now is the time! All the cool kids are doing it. https://www.facebook.com/HamletIsntDead

If Twitter's more your speed, we have that too. We just want to please you any way we can.https://twitter.com/hamletisntdead

Or to see us in action, you can check us out (and subscribe, hint, hint) at https://www.youtube.com/user/hamletisntdead

Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.