Interview: HELLO AGAIN Director Tom Gustafson

Director Tom Gustafson and partner Cory Krueckeberg's fourth feature film, "Hello Again," based on Michael John LaChiusa's 1994 Off-Broadway musical, kicks off the 35th annual Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival on Thursday, Sept. 21.

Jenna Ushkowitz (Glee), Tyler Blackburn (Pretty Little Liars), Gustafson and Krueckeberg are expected on the red carpet and pre-screening party before the film premiere. We spoke briefly with the director on what it took to bring this beloved Off-Broadway musical to the screen.

What attracted you to the project?
Tom Gustafson: My partner Cory (Krueckeberg, who also wrote the screenplay) had been a huge fan of the musical back in his college days at the University of Illinois. We had been trying for a number of years to turn another musical by Michael John (LaChiusa, HELLO AGAIN's composer) into a movie musical when this happened.

To those unfamiliar with HELLO AGAIN, how would you describe the film?
TG: Ambitious. This is so ambitious for an indie film. It's a dark, sexy musical with a narrative told over 10 different time periods involving 10 different couples.

As a director, what was the most challenging thing about this piece?
TG: It's told in a nonlinear fashion with no narrative structure. Both of those things were challenges. Cory and I made the decision fairly early in that from a production design and directing standpoint, we had to figure out a way to introduce more narrative threads to help the audience along on this journey.

And how was that accomplished, exactly?
TG: The great thing about Michael John's score is that there are already these recurring elements that tie everything together. You have certain notes or phrases that are repeated across these different time periods and styles of music. We expanded on that to include recurring locations, props, and costumes. Little things that act as a marker.

Did it entail much re-writing on Cory's part?
TG: Not really. This is a fairly clean adaptation of the original piece. Michael John and Cory worked on a new section that we wrote for Audra. We changed a few eras and genders of characters, but not much else.

The transition between time periods is a bit easier to pull off on stage than one would expect it to be on film, were you concerned on how that would work on film?
TG: Not really. That is what makes this piece so unique. It's a little surprise that you aren't stuck in one time period or with one couple for the duration of the film. Audience members have been reacting positively to the piece and the transitions of time.

You have assembled a pretty impressive cast including six-time Tony Award winning actress Audra McDonald, Broadway veterans Cheyenne Jackson and T.R. Knight, Steppenwolf ensemble member Martha Plimpton, Tyler Blackburn from TV's "Pretty Little Liars" and Jenna Ushkowitz and Nolan Gerard Funk from "Glee." Was it difficult to cast?
TG: It's a very unique film project. There aren't that many musicals getting made and there aren't too many musicals like this. Audra was the first one who was attached. She had worked with Michael John on several other of his shows and she signed on right out of the gate. Her participation definitely opened doors for us with agents.

What were you looking for in a performer when casting this?
TG: Performers who were ready for the challenge. They had to be classically trained stage musical performers. We sang the score live on the set.

But you sweetened it with studio recordings, right?
TG: No. There may have been a couple of montage moments that had to be sweetened in the studio, but the majority of what you hear on screen was sung live on the day we filmed it. All the actors were singing live on set. There is a chemistry there when an actor is performing a song live that you just don't get when they are lip-syncing. Everyone cast had to be real singers. Michael John's score is not easy to begin with and there was no post-production to hide behind. You couldn't fake your performance. Without question, every single actor was up for the challenge and brought incredible talent to their performance.

What was the most surprising thing about shooting the film?
TG: I still can't believe just how ambitious this thing is and the fact that we actually did it. We had very little money -even by Indie film standards. We shot all over New York. We had an amazing cast and crew. Every single person who worked on this was dedicated to creating something unique.

You've previously indicated that you hoped to use this film as a springboard for other movie musical projects. Anything you are working on currently that you want to share?
TG: Not just yet! We are hoping to put together a slate of musical films. It's sad there are so many stage musicals that get optioned, but never make it to the screen. Film studios just keep re-option them and they never get made. If this proves to be successful, we are hoping to start getting more options of our own and start releasing more movie musicals. The material is out there just waiting to be filmed.

How does the success of say "LA LA Land" help or hurt?
TG: There's an ebb and flow in Hollywood. All it takes is one hit and then everyone is scouting for the next big musical. All it takes is one flop to reverse the trend -especially with movie musicals.

You enjoyed your first success with the original movie musical "Were the World Mine." Have you and Cory given any thought to mounting a stage production of that cult film?
TG: We already adapted the script for the stage. We continue to get requests to produce it. It's our baby and we want to make sure it gets into the right hands, though. It will happen sooner than later, I'm sure.

HELLO AGAIN screens Thursday, Sept 21 at 7:00 pm at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport). Tickets, $15. Tickets to the pre-screening party at 6 p.m. are $35. (773) 293-1447. www.reelingfilmfestival.org.

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