Review Fix chats with playwright Jeanne Chenault Porter about her newest production “The Divvy,†currently running at this year’s Midtown International Theatre Festival in New York City. Porter also discusses her creative process, career in the music and what she hopes people get out of the production, as well as what makes her a unique playwright.
Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this production?
Jeanne Chenault Porter: As an art historian as well as a playwright, I wanted to share an insider’s view of an art world known to relatively few. This world is multi-faceted, never gentle, with some participants who are hoarders, forgers, thieves or even murderers. The hoarders, who acquire art solely as an investment, bury their treasures in bank vaults. The forgers, usually unimaginative, steal and sell the creativity of others. My protagonist, Charlie Jenkins is a true “amateur†or lover of art but ironically it is this very passion makes him a thief.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Porter: I began by focusing upon characters, in this case Charlie who lives on the fringe. From time to time he emerges as positive and negative, harmless and formidable. Charlie steals art to save it from the unenlightened. Although he believes his jail time in Nice, France has paid his debt to society, he is still unable to relinquish one last stolen masterpiece.
Review Fix: What makes you different from other playwrights?
Porter: I am very interested in and observant of people and have a good memory for detail and dialogue. ( I can often recall exact words of past verbal exchanges.) Almost always carrying a notebook helps me to record ideas, phrases, titles, and words.
Review Fix: If this what you always wanted to do?
Porter: Yes, although I had been trained in other areas including music and art history. I studied piano for seven years at the Juilliard School of Music and violin at Mannes. I have had my own art exhibitions and sold a number of my paintings. I have written and published books and articles on art history and have many listings on Google.
Review Fix: What makes this production special?
Porter: In addition to an insider’s view of the art world, there is a bit of magic in Charlie’s extraordinary gift as a “divvy†who can tell if a work of art is genuine simply by holding it in his hands. I think this lends a sense of fun and mystery to the plot. Some questions are still open: is Charlie really a Divvy? Does he believe he’s really a divvy? After Charlie’s death, who is the “person of interest†mentioned in the newspaper. Probably the thug, Mischa.
Review Fix: How is your cast unique?
Porter: We have considerable variety in our actors and the roles they play. They are an exciting group with a variety of age, ethnicity, temperament, and theatrical background.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through this process?
Porter: I realized that I have a great interest in, and sympathy for, many different kinds of people. Writing makes me more circumspect and open. I value both the side we see and that which we don’t.
Review Fix: How does it feel to be a part of this festival?
Porter: It is exciting and perhaps especially so since this is my third play with MITF. My experience has always been very positive and I have found those working in this festival helpful and encouraging.
Review Fix: What are your goals for the production?
Porter: My goal is to give the best presentation possible and see how and to what extent others respond. Constructive comments are very welcome as this is always a learning process.
Review Fix: Who do you think will enjoy it the most?
Porter: Those who enjoy it most will probably be those who know me, the actors, and the art world but this is a play about people and I don’t think my characters are limited to any particular time or segment of society.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Porter: Right now I have a comedy, Mightier Mouse, opening this month with The St. Jean’s Players on the upper east side of Manhattan. My next play will be a historical drama about the Bowery.
Leave a Reply