Review Fix Exclusive: Bill McMahon Talks ‘Cover’

Review Fix chats with playwright Bill McMahon about “Cover,” his new production currently running at this year’s Midtown International Theatre Festival in New York City.

For more information on the production, click here.

Review Fix: What was the inspiration for the production? How did it all come together?

Bill McMahon: I had worked on “Cover” for several years before meeting Karin de la Penha and Max Rhyser via my playwrights’ reading group, now known as TheWriters@ThePlayers.  The moment I saw and heard them, I knew they were perfect for the parts of Beth and David.  I also pegged them as movers and shakers, actors who were proactive in managing their careers and open to collaboration.  I arranged a reading with my group at The Players, which was very well received, and indeed, we all became collaborators in moving the piece forward.  We’ve been working together on this for about four years, and it was our collaboration that brought us to our director, Paul Michael, and eventually to our producer, Jim Kierstead.

Review Fix: What do you think you’ve learned about yourself through this whole process?

McMahon: I’ve learned that my collaborative nature is more developed than I had known – and it is one of my strengths.  I’ve learned that collaboration is not compromise, when you have the right team assembled and are working with trusted and talented artists.

Review Fix: Who do you think will enjoy it the most?

McMahon: I think anyone interested in the complexity of human relationships, especially in this era of increased alienation, misunderstanding and miscommunication – a time when human connection is precious and rare.

Review Fix: Tell me about the cast. What makes them so special?

McMahon: Their talent, of course, sets them apart; they are all superb artists.  But as stated above, they’re also collaborators.  They’ve helped me get to know my own characters in increased depth.

Review Fix: What’s your favorite element of the show?

McMahon: Hard to answer, I’m really so happy with everyone’s contribution.  I think what makes me happiest is how well Paul and the cast have been working together to make all the moments I’ve put on paper real and recognizable.

Review Fix: Bottom Line. Why should someone see this show?

McMahon: This is not a show about gay or straight.  This is a show about human interaction, relationships, and both the redemptive and destructive sides of love.

Review Fix: How do you want the production to be remembered?

McMahon: Hopefully, as an evening that asked the audience to reconsider their viewpoint on human relations – while entertaining them, of course.

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 13819 Articles
Patrick Hickey Jr. is a full-time Assistant Professor of Communication & Performing Arts and Director of the Journalism program at Kingsborough Community College and is the chairman of the City University of New York Journalism Council. He is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of ReviewFix.com. He's also a former News Editor at NBC Local Integrated Media and National Video Games Writer at Examiner.com where his work was mentioned in National Ad campaigns by Disney, Nintendo and EA Sports. Hickey was also the Editor-In-Chief of two College Newspapers before he received his BA in Journalism from Brooklyn College. Hickey's work has been published in The New York Daily News, The New York Times, Complex, The Hockey Writers, Yahoo!, Broadway World, Examiner, NYSportScene Magazine, ProHockeyNews.com, GothamBaseball.com, The Syracuse Post-Standard, Scout.com and the official sites of the Brooklyn Aces and New York Islanders. His first book, The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews With Cult And Classic Video Game Developers was released in April 2018 and is chock full of interviews with legendary developers. His second book in the series, The Minds Behind Adventures Games, was released in December 2019. His third book, The Minds Behind Sports Games, was released in September 2020. His fourth book, The Minds Behind Shooter Games, was released in March 2021. The Minds Behind Sega Genesis Games and The Minds Behind PlayStation Games were released in 2022 and The Minds Behind PlayStation 2 was published in January 2023. Hickey is also a contracted comic book writer, currently penning his original series, "Condrey," as well as "The Job," "Brooklyn Bleeds" "Dem Gulls" and "KROOM" for Legacy Comix, where he serves as founder, owner and Editor-in-Chief. Hickey Jr. is also a voice actor, having starred in the 2018 indie hit and 2019 Switch, PS4 and Xbox One release, The Padre (also serving as English language Story Editor), from Shotgun With Glitters. The sequel, The Padre: One Shell Straight to Hell was released in February 2021- Hickey also served as a Story Editor and Lead Voiceover performer. He has also done narration and trailers for several other titles including The Kaiju Offensive, Relentless Rex and Roniu’s Tale. Hickey is also the lead voiceover performer on Mega Cat Studios’ upcoming title WrestleQuest, responsible for nearly 90 characters in the game, as well as Skybound's Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood, where he voices both Dracula and Renfield, as well as several other characters. He also stars in Ziggurat Interactive’s World Championship Boxing Manager 2, where he performs the VO of nearly every male character in the game. He also worked on the Atari VCS’s BPM Boy.

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