Review Fix chats with playwright Heider Tunarrosa, who discusses “You Belong With Me Because You’re So Vain†and its upcoming run at the 2016 Midtown International Theatre Festival.
About You Belong With Me Because You’re So Vain:
YOU BELONG WITH ME BECAUSE YOU’RE SO VAIN By Heider Tunarrosa; starring Ian Whitt, Michelle Persoff, Ty Baumann, Tristan J. Shuler, and Phillip Shinn. When a neurotic songwriter accidentally falls in love with his best friend’s ex-boyfriend, and he must decide between losing his best friend or the love of his life, he receives help from the imaginary versions of Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. (Romantic Comedy) Performance Schedule: Mon 3/21, 6:00pm; Thurs 3/24, 8:30pm; Sat 3/26, 3:00pm
Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this project?
Heider Tunarrosa: I wrote “You belong with me because you’re so vain†after my heart was broken because I fell in love with the wrong person. I always thought that forbidden love is one of the best themes in literature.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Tunarrosa: I usually watch movies that have a similar theme and study the way the characters deal with conflict. Based on that, I exaggerate their flaws in order to make them relatable but also funny.
Review Fix: What makes this different or special?
Tunarrosa: “You Belong with Me Because You’re so Vain†is different because it’s a love story where the characters happen to be gay and the play also shows the audience that love is a universal feeling that everyone will experience at least once in their lives.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through this process?
Tunarrosa: I learned that a play is never fully written because a playwright is never happy with the final product. I also learned that in order to tell a story properly, it’s important to have real characters.
Review Fix: How does it feel to be a part of something like this?
Tunarrosa: It’s incredibly exciting and refreshing to find a festival that is willing to try new plays. To be honest, I can’t wait to see the play on stage.
Review Fix: What are your ultimate goals for this production and for the future?
Tunarrosa: I want to extend it into a full-length play with music. I would love to talk to
composers and lyricists to help me come up with songs.
Review Fix: What do you think your audiences will enjoy the most?
Tunarrosa: Probably the love triangle and the way how the main character deals with his neurosis.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Tunarrosa: I’m working on developing a web series and I’m also promoting a short film I wrote a few years ago.
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