Review Fix Exclusive: CB Murray Talks ‘Pearl’

July 10, 2015 Patrick Hickey Jr. Theatre 0

Review Fix chats with playwright CB Murray who discusses his production at the Midtown International Theatre Festival, “Pearl.” Breaking down the inspiration for the performance, as well as his goals for the future, Murray lets us know exactly why we should check out the production.

For more information on the production and the MITF, click here.

Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this production?

CB Murray: Pearl Bailey was my aunt, Louie Bellson and Bill Bailey my uncles. I want to see our family’s legacy revived.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Murray: First research. Then I shut myself up in my office for days and just germinate on what I’ve learned. Eventually, my imagination begins to run wild. I see scenes and hear music and begin to write under that inspiration.

Review Fix: What makes you different from other playwrights?

Murray: Well first of all I believe that everyone is different in their own special way. It’s all about finding our voice and your unique gifting’s. Then working to translate that onto to the page.

Review Fix: What makes this production special?

Murray: Dare I say Pearl Bailey makes it special because of the amazing woman she was. Her life and accomplishments during that time in history were unprecedented. She is, for all accounts, a legend in the entertainment industry.

Review Fix: How is your cast unique?

Murray: We’ve assembled five astounding artists. Jennie Harney is phenomenal and she has completely found her inner Pearl. The other four actors are men who get to show off every aspect of their versatility. This show is a tour de force for the men.

Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through this process?

Murray: I found out things about my family and our heritage that helped make sense of my own personal journey as an artist. There are things in my DNA that came from these characters and for that I’m grateful.

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

Murray: I’m excited. This is my second time participating in the Midtown International Theatre Festival. I believe that I learned a lot from the last time, things to do and things not to do, that I am carrying into this year to help make our production more successful.

Review Fix: What are your goals for the production?

Murray: The sky is the limit. We would love to see this musical go out to a regional theatre where it can be further developed and nurtured. Then perhaps have a life on Broadway or Off Broadway. We are now discussing the film with very interested parties.

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

Murray: We are trying our best to make this musical universal. Baby Boomers and those older remember Pearl Bailey and the many icons we honor in this show. They will love taking that trip down memory lane. We’re hoping the younger crowds will be swept up in the magic of the period, the story of struggle, perseverance and forbidden love.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Murray: Only God knows. We’re praying for this piece to sprout wings and fly.

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 13881 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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