Review Fix Exclusive: Doug DuBrin  Talks ‘Needle Anna and Adam’

February 13, 2015 Patrick Hickey Jr. Theatre 0

Review Fix chats with playwright Doug DuBrin about his newest production “Needle Anna and Adam” currently running at this year’s Midtown International Theatre Festival in New York City. DuBrin also discusses his creative process, his excitement at producing his own work and what he hopes people get out of the production.

Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this production?

Doug DuBrin: I was actually doing some writing and people watching in Washington Square Park this past summer while in town for two of my shows at the MITF, and a group of ostensibly troubled, doe-eyed youth caught my eye. They, in concert with so many other wounded doves I have known (many substance-addicted), morphed into the character of Adam. Anna is a combination of multiple wonderfully humane, visionary, truly Christ-like nuns I have come to know and adore over the years.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

DuBrin: A tumultuous marriage between Beelzebub and Hester Prynne; that is, as a  husband, father of four, and a full-time English teacher at an all-girl Catholic school, I fit my “process” in wherever and whenever.

Review Fix: What makes you different from other playwrights?

DuBrin: I was born on one of Saturn’s moons (Hyperion, specifically). It’s true –check my birth certificate. Supposedly, in 1966, immigration regulations from other planets were quite flimsy.

Review Fix: Is this what you always wanted to do?

DuBrin: I’ve written plays since my early twenties and been around the theater and its lunacy most my life.

Review Fix: What makes this production special?

DuBrin: Of all my dramatic writing, it is distinct in its unifying gravity. My go-to place has usually been the murky-dark comedy or the bouncy philosophical farce.

Review Fix: How does it feel to be a part of this festival?

DuBrin: This is my fifth play with the MITF, and I have appreciated and consumed a bit of sagacity (I hope) from every lily pad I hopped upon across the Festival pond (I know, what a pathetic metaphor).

Review Fix: What are your goals for the production?

DuBrin: Perhaps above all, I want to see if I have the chops for such heavy-limbed theater. I also want to assess if the play should remain a one-act or be expanded.

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

DuBrin: “Enjoy” is an odd word for a tale about a smack addict’s friendship with a nun who runs a medicinal-heroin clinic. That said, I do believe the story appeals to any of us who struggle with shame and self-loathing and consequently yearn for unconditional validation and nurturing.

Review Fix: What’s next?

DuBrin: For one, I will be submitting a few works to MITF for consideration for this summer’s program. I have a few theater opportunities in Chicago I’m currently pursuing as well. I also need a strong cup of Joe, so I think I’ll stop by Mickey D’s on the way home.

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 14263 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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