Review Fix Exclusive Planet Connections Theatre Festivity Coverage: Andrew Block Talks ‘THIS STRETCH OF MONTPELIER’

Review Fix chats with Andrew Block who discusses ‘THIS STRETCH OF MONTPELIER’ and what’s like to be a part of the 10th anniversary season of Planet Connections Theatre Festivity at the Theaters at the Clemente.

About the Production:

Evolution doesn’t have to take millions of years. It can happen right in front of our eyes. Spend a hot summer day along a stretch of Southeastern Louisiana road, where tradition now clashes with change. Old neighbors intertwine with those newcomers, bringing about gentrification… and integration. Before the new world can breathe on its own, racism, homophobia, and colliding generations must fight for survival. Ghosts from the past dance with the uncertain music of the future creating an imperfect but vibrant culture seeking to understand how to live together in a changing society. This is what happens when yesterday meets tomorrow.

Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this project?

Andrew Block: When Kelley and I both discovered we were from South Louisiana, we knew we had an instant connection, and a need to collaborate. There is an instant shorthand, a specific sense of place and home shared by the unique cultures of the area –  Kelley and I knew it right away – an unspoken bond and sense of history that’s also reflected in the characters of Montpelier. These people are instantly bonded despite their outward-seeming differences.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Block: My process is often to guide actors with questions. I’m a collaborative creator, and with this play that is crucial. These characters all represent a melting pot of voices and points of view, and reflect how we live in a community, even with the deepest divides – race, inter-generational, poverty lines. So allowing the voice of the actor/character into the process is key. This made casting of this piece so crucial, and finding the inter-locking mix of voices that much more important.

Review Fix: What makes this different or special?

Block: It’s easy to fall into an point at political divides in today’s climate, especially when we talk about race and generational differences. What makes this piece different, is politics don’t even come close to touching these characters. They are dealing with spiritual issues, identity, soul-searching in a community that politics has forgotten. There is a real authenticity to these people, free of any agenda.

Additionally, when we hear the word “diversity”, we immediately think of black and white issues. This play wrestles with much more – yes, race, but also inter-generational conflict, spiritual voice, homophobia, class. Asking for more diverse voices at the table means inclusivity for everyone.

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

Block: I grew up less than 90 minute drive from this town, and it feels like a completely different world. Traveling to the actual town of Montpelier was eye-opening and critical to understanding the complexity of the seemingly-simple world of these characters. It’s easy to judge them, without getting to know them. And this play takes you on a journey that doesn’t allow any room for judgement.

Review Fix: What are your ultimate goals for this production and for the future?

Block: This play has legs. Kelley’s is a voice that needs to be heard. As Theatre is becoming more and more inclusive, hers & The Fire This Time are a necessary leader, and this play is representative of what can be accomplished when we listen to others.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Block: More work demanding diversity of voice.

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About Patrick Hickey Jr. 14230 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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