Review Fix chats with playwright Ric Siler, who discusses his production, “Like a Sack of Potatoes†at this year’s Midtown International Theatre Festival.
About “Like a Sack of Potatoesâ€:
LIKE A SACK OF POTATOES by Ric Siler, directed by Bette Siler; starring Ric Siler. The ‘shotgun and rock salt talk’ usually was enough to keep boyfriends in line, but when one of his daughters marries an abusive husband, a farmer finds more drastic measures may be called for. (Hillbilly Gothic) *AEA Performance Schedule: Tues 3/15, 7:15pm; Sat 3/19, 7:45pm; Sun 3/20, 5:45pm
Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this project?
Ric Siler: Like a Sack of Potatoes began with an image, a cloud of dust raised by something falling in a dusty barn. After that it was figuring out the story, which was inspired in part by my grandfather who was a farmer in Kentucky and grew tobacco, tomatoes and much more. He would sit under the walnut trees in front of his house and sell his tomatoes.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Siler: I discover the piece as I’m writing it. I didn’t know where Like a Sack of Potatoes was going when I started it, but as the story grew it took on a life of its own. It came pretty quickly and didn’t require much in the way of rewriting.
Review Fix: What makes this different or special?
Siler: Being from Appalachia informs my writing in not only my ‘voice’ but also the stories I tell. I like to think there is an authenticity which gives people a window into people they don’t normally get to meet, except as stereotypes. I refer to some of my pieces as ‘hillbilly gothic’ with a sense of pride.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through this process?
Siler: It’s funny how much autobiography leeches into these pieces. As I said my grandfather was a farmer, and some of my fondest childhood memories involve being in the tobacco fields with him. Many of my character’s traits come straight from him (he really did eat the fat of the meat and he really did go blasting moles in his yard).
Review Fix: How does it feel to be a part of something like this?
Siler: I cherish any opportunity to perform my work. And having three performances in the city is nothing short of a delight.
Review Fix: What are your ultimate goals for this production and for the future?
Siler: For this production: to take people on a ride they will never forget. For the future: More.
Review Fix: What do you think your audiences will enjoy the most?
Siler: The storytelling. This is, I hope, an engaging character. He’s a charmer at first, who takes action when he has to. With any luck people will be on the edge of their seats by the end of it.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Siler: Beckett’s Happy Day’s in August at the Byrdcliffe Theater in Woodstock, with my wife, Bette playing Winnie (Bette directed Sack of Potatoes), directed by Wallace Norman.
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