For nearly a decade,
Andrew Benator has been one of Atlanta's most versatile actors. Having won a
Suzi Award for playing a child-like Lord of the Underworld in
Georgia Shakespeare and the
Alliance's "Eurydice", he is known by a wider audience as Dr. Jawfy on
Tyler Perry sitcoms "House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns." Since the Atlanta-native moved back home from New York in 2005, he has been a regular part of both the city's expanding stage and screen industries. Benator recently spoke with Broadway World Atlanta about his upcoming show "Seminar," which runs May 16th-June 16th at
Actor's Express.
Directed by AE Artistic Director Freddie Ashley, "Seminar" focuses on four aspiring writers who are getting the education of a lifetime when they sign up for a writing class under a brilliant, egomaniacal, world-famous author (played by Benator). The elite opportunity deteriorates into sardonic criticism as innocence and experience collide. No one is quite who they seem to be in this sharply funny piece, which was on of the highlights of the 2012 Broadway season.
BWW: On Broadway, your character, Leonard, was played by two very unique actors, Alan Rickman and Jeff Goldblum. Should Atlanta audiences expect your performance to be as eccentric as they have come to expect from those two icons?
AB: To a large degree the eccentricity is written into the character. Leonard is fairly extreme in that he refuses to filter what he says. If he used the word "polite", it would probably be as an insult. For the actor playing him, that encourages you to explore the same self-involved tendencies in yourself, and I think that makes the eccentricity inevitable.
BWW: In addition to 2010's "Becky Shaw," this is your second show working with director Freddie Ashley. He has had a tremendous amount of success as a director and leading Actor's Express. What do you think makes him an integral part of the Atlanta theatre community?
AB: Actor's Express has a sensibility. You can take a group of plays and identify which of them are "Actor's Express plays". That's a result of Freddie's vision, and it's unlike any other theater in town.
BWW: In "Seminar," Leonard is a less than sympathetic mentor for his four young writing students. As the "veteran" of the cast, did you feel a responsibility to mentor the "less-seasoned" members?
AB: Young though a couple of them are, they're pretty well-seasoned. Like a delicious steak. I'd be happy to give whatever advice I can if I were asked. But everyone in a rehearsal room deserves to be treated as a professional, regardless of their degree of experience. It would be presumptuous to offer advice without being asked.
BWW: Whether through their intern program or in shows, Actor's Express has long been involved in showcasing Atlanta's newest talents. How has the rehearsal process been working with this young cast, which includes some actors practically right out of college?
AB: It's great. The internship is a great program, for both the interns and the theater.
BWW: For audiences unfamiliar with the show, how would you describe the experience Atlanta theatre fans can expect when they come see "Seminar" this month?
AB: Very, very funny. Discomforting. A lot of intentional awkwardness. Surprising turns. Unexpected revelations. A great night of theater!
BWW: "Seminar" was written by Theresa Rebeck, who created and wrote the first season of TV's "Smash." That show has been a lightning rod for theatre fans and professionals. Some say that it is positive because it brings the theatre to new audiences, while others wish it was more realistic and less "soapy"? As a frequent stage actor, do you come down on any particular side of the argument?
AB: I haven't watched the show, so I can't speak to it specifically. I personally am more drawn to realism. I'd love to think that a popular TV show about theater would drive people to see more live theater, but I have my doubts. Hopefully I'm wrong about that.
BWW: You were in my favorite play that I have seen since moving to Atlanta; the Alliance's 2011 production of "August: Osage County." Excluding "Seminar," what has been your favorite role here in Atlanta?
AB: Favorite role in Atlanta is the last role I played at Actor's Express: Max in "Becky Shaw". I still pull that script off my shelf occasionally and relive some moments. Oh, that was a fun one.
BWW: Do you have a role (or roles) that you are dying to play?
AB: I'd love to play Charlie Fox in
David Mamet's "Speed the Plow".
BWW: In recent years, Atlanta has seen impressive growth in both stage and screen productions and you have been involved with both. What do you think it is about the Atlanta arts community that has allowed it to become such a hotspot for both theatre and film?
AB: As far as film and TV go, it's the tax incentives that the legislature passed. They have brought a ton of production to Georgia, and with it a lot of jobs for actors and crew. And as more infrastructure has been built to support that production, it has kept the cycle going. I hope it continues!
BWW: After the run of "Seminar," do you have any other stage or screen projects lined up?
AB: The next job I have lined up is working on a film about baseball starring
Jon Hamm, from Mad Men.
To get tickets to see "Seminar" at Actor's Express call
404-875-1606 or visit their
website.
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