“People WANT theatre.”
WHO: June Carryl
WHAT: “Newly promoted FID detective LaRhonda Parker is assigned to investigate the death of a Black motorist during a traffic stop involving her husband’s ex-partner, Boyd Sully, a 29-year veteran. His story keeps changing, but a disturbing revelation forces Parker to decide whether to protect one of her own or pursue an investigation that could up-end her marriage and her career.”
WHERE: Assembly George Square – The Box (Venue 8)
WHEN: 17:05 (60 min)
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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
I’m new to the Edinburgh Fringe, but fell in love with the idea of going around 2014 after producing and performing in another two-hander at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Tore my hair out a lot that first go round! There’s just so much to think about — where do you put the show up, how do you raise the money, how do you get audience, buzz — it’s kinda nuts but really wonderful at the same time. My director, Michael Matthews, and producers Julanne Chidi-Hill (who originated the role in the World Premiere in Los Angeles), and Mark Giberson brought a couple of really cool shows twice in years past, THE BACCHAE and SLEEPING GIANT. The flyers, man. That’s what scares me most. The flyers. What makes a great festival is the people! There’s so much excitement at the prospect of performing. No one telling you, “No, you can’t.” If you can dream it, you can do it. It’s awesome.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
Getting to workshop BLUE in 2022, I think the biggest eye-opener is that people WANT theatre. Are still hungry for it. Especially since the pandemic forced us into separation. It’s a different kind of theatre mind you: less spectacle, more rooted in story and relationship. I think the theatre closures we’re seeing in the US are actually a sign of theatre going back to its roots: people coming into community to experience something deep and meaningful together.
Tell us about your show.
The show is called BLUE. It’s a two-person play written by me, June Carryl. It had its world premiere in Los Angeles this past April at Rogue Machine Theatre in West Hollywood. John Colella originated the role of Sully and Julanne Chidi-Hill originated the role of Parker. Director Michael Matthews was really clear about who he wanted and when he named them, I was just like, YES. THEM. I was sitting in Matthews’ after we signed on for the run at Rogue Machine and said, I want to go to Edinburgh and he was like, “Okay. You call Mark. I’ll call Rebecca [Eisenberg], and that was that. Colella came on as producer and is reprising his role and Julanne is our cover. We’re hoping to take the show to New York after this.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
SEE THIRTY MINUTE MUSICALS!!! They’re doing a spoof of TOP GUN. I had the chance to see it and it’s PHENOMENAL.
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