Review Fix Exclusive: Laura Pedersen Talks ‘The Brightness of Heaven’

Fresh off her full- length musical “This Will All Be Yours” (lyrics and music by Charles Bloom), which premiered at the Midtown International Theatre Festival this July, playwright and author Laura Pedersen discusses her award-winning full-length play, “The Brightness of Heaven,” which is set to open at New York’s Off-Broadway Cherry Lane Theatre in October.

Review Fix: How did the last run of “The Brightness of Heaven” end for you personally and how did you end up here?

Laura Pedersen: When we planned the first production of The Brightness of Heaven we had no idea it was going to open at the same time as Hurricane Sandy. So there were questions as to whether the curtain would even go up and if anyone would be in the audience. It did, and people came, especially for the last two performances when the flood waters had retreated but a lot of lower Manhattan residents were still without power. Additionally, word-of-mouth brought in so many enthusiastic theatergoers that unfortunately we had to turn people away, so we knew we wanted to see the show mounted in a larger space for a longer run, and hopefully without a natural disaster operating concurrently.

Review Fix: How is this production of “The Brightness of Heaven” different?

Pedersen: The play is about a family in show biz at an amateur level, specifically song and dance. Our original cast was fantastic. I can’t even single anyone out since they were all so talented and got wonderful reviews. However, seven out of eight weren’t singers or musical theater people in their professional lives and that’s the main change for this production. Everyone in this show is a professional singer, most with Broadway credits. Also, we’re at the Cherry Lane Theatre, which has a wonderful history of launching new works and supporting playwrights and performers, along with being part of the famous arts-friendly neighborhood of Greenwich Village.

Review Fix: For fans of the original production, why should theatre-goers see this version?

Pedersen: The festival show was a barebones production. I think the actors all had to lose ten pounds just to fit onto the postage stamp of a stage. I’m always curious how the mother is going to play her part since it’s a bit like the mother in The Glass Menagerie where she loves her children so much that she can be overbearing.  But a really terrific actress makes the audience understand where this behavior is coming from, so aside from being frustrated with her at times, I think we not only understand but sympathize. After all, she learned her values from somewhere and didn’t just make them up out of thin air. One son has to play a drunk and I think it’s hard to do that, especially on the stage where you need to stay in character all the time. It’s a big choice as to what kind of drunk you want to be and then remain convincing. Skyler Pinkerton did a fabulous job in the original production. Everyone asked me if he’s really an alcoholic (No, he’s not!). Along those lines, all the cast members have made new and interesting choices for their characters that are exciting to watch.

Review Fix: What have you learned about yourself throughout this whole process?

Pedersen: I’m an only child and usually work alone so collaboration is an interesting exercise for me. I enjoy listening and learning from other people but am not nearly as good at it as the actors and director who practically need to become a family in real life to put on a believable show for us. I’m in awe of their ability to incorporate so many different personalities in such an intimate space, put aside any differences of opinion, and create magic eight times a week.

Review Fix: How do you want this run to be remembered?

Pedersen: We look at a specific time in history, the mid-1970s, and revisit how women and gays were treated then, particularly by religious organizations. I think it’s stunning to be reminded of the backward thinking that was entrenched just forty short years ago.  We can pat ourselves on the backs for how far we’ve come, but also recognize there is still a ways to go when it comes to achieving equality with regard to race, religion, gender, and particularly sexual orientation.

Review Fix: What’s next for you after this?

Pedersen: I have a children’s book called AVA’S ADVENTURE coming out and also a memoir, LIFE IN NEW YORK: How I Learned to Love Squeegee Men, Token Suckers, Trash Twisters, and Subway Sharks.