Review Fix chats with actor Chuk Obasi who discusses his role in the new production, “The Actual Dance,†which is set for a run at this year’s Midtown International Theater Festival.
About the Production:
THE ACTUAL DANCEÂ by Sam Simon, directed by Kate Holland; starring Chuk Obasi. A graceful and inspiring love story that opens a rare window into the mind and heart of a husband caregiver as his wife confronts her breast cancer and they both discover what love really means. (Solo Show/Drama)
This play has been rewritten from its original (a Jewish couple after decades of marriage) to a young Christian couple.
Performance Schedule:Â Mon 11/07, 8:00pm; Tues 11/08, 6:00pm; Sat 11/12, 8:30pm; Sun 11/13, 4:00pm
Running Time: 60 minutes.
Venue: Jewel Box Theater, 312 W. 36th Street.
Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this project?
Chuk Obasi: There were a few for me. One was to honor people in my life who are at different stages of this journey that Sam and Susan traveled. Another inspiration was simply the honor of even being approached to tell this story. I’d seen Sam perform this piece twice and knew how special it was.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Obasi: It involves lots of observation and study, self-reflection, meditation, memorizing, empathizing, and fear! In this case, with this being a one-man play, it also involved breaking down the script into segments, or scenes, that helped me to find and understand the arc of the story. I put lots of faith and trust in my director, and vice versa, which made for a really safe and smooth overall process in the midst of the challenges of becoming this version of Sam.
Review Fix: What makes this different or special?
Obasi: It’s not as common in my experience to see a one-man play where the story isn’t based on the performer’s actual life. Stepping into this role previously created by, performed by, and based on the life of Sam Simon, its most certainly a new approach to the character. People who may have seen this play before with Sam playing himself might feel like in a way they are watching a new piece. It’s also obviously the same piece in many ways. What’s more special is the differences between me and the real Sam Simon. We are very different in age, race, religion, and geographical upbringing – yet Sam recruited me for this play on purpose; To show how universal the experiences of love, loss, fear, and transition are.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through this process?
Obasi: I learned that Sam and I have something in common – we love our wives deeply! I also learned that I’m way more afraid to lose someone I love than I am of dying myself. I think I already knew that, but that notion has been reinforced in a way that I’m reminded to be thankful for every second I have with family and friends. And I learned that I’m capable of memorizing a 25-page monologue!
Review Fix: How does it feel to be a part of something like this?
Obasi: I feel blessed because this is a relatively rare type of challenge for an actor to be given. I also feel a strong sense of responsibility to tell a story that will most certainly resonate with people in a very emotional way. I carry the emotions of a room for an hour at a time, and I feel that every time.
Review Fix: What are your ultimate goals for this production and for the future?
Obasi: I simply hope to bring the story to as many audiences as I can.
Review Fix: What do you think your audiences will enjoy the most?
Obasi: They will enjoy the clarity of the narrative, the tracking of the several “characters†in the story, and the beautiful accompanying music created by Eli Zoller.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Obasi: For me personally, lots of great things on the horizon, including the continuation of this play. I’m truly fortunate.
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