BWW Interviews: Eduardo Guzman Talks Inspiration, Rock Musicals, and Pitch Me This Productions

The theatre world is full of passionate people, but it's when passion marries action that exciting things happen. Eduardo Guzman, founder of Pitch Me This Productions, or PMT, has the energy and vision of someone who gets it done. It's always a pleasure to talk with Guzman, and he has a great project lined up for the new year.

BWW: PMT is so fun and fresh. What is the company doing next?

Eduardo Guzman: Our second project will be Johnathan Larson's tick, tick...BOOM!

BWW: Jonathan Larson is famous for his creation of RENT. Are there any similarities between Rent and tick, tick...BOOM!?

Eduardo Guzman: There are similarities between tick, tick... BOOM! and RENT, both in terms of story content and musical style. TTB, however, was created before RENT and was performed at local clubs and, eventually, off-Broadway by Jon Larson himself as a "rock monologue." After his death in 1996, the show was reworked to its current form, which utilizes three players. TTB has been viewed as a prequel to RENT.

BWW: What draws you to Larson's work?

Eduardo Guzman: Several things drew me to Larson's first off-Broadway production. First, I am RENT fan, and I am so thankful to have been able to music direct that piece during Houston's 2013 summer stock season. After then, I decided that I wanted to work on Larson's music again. Second, the story of TTB--Jon Larson's story--is a story that is accessible to artists and the performing arts community. And finally, PMT Productions' style and creative resources lend itself to producing this kind of musical: we've put together a stellar cast and are in the process of designing a unique theatrical concert that challenges traditional musical theater stagings and embraces the "rock monologue" format and delivery. TTB has not been produced in Houston since 2007, and we are looking forward to bringing this piece to Houston performing arts audiences!

BWW: Would you say PMT is youth-driven? It seems like a lot of your projects are savvy and current.

Eduardo Guzman: Interesting observation...The PMT staff, performing artists, and creatives are all at the beginning of our careers as artists. We are young artists. I think that allows us to take risks that more established arts organizations might not take. For example, our first production--MIDTOWN LIVE, which played for one weekend in late-August--was unprecedented in the fringe performing arts community: I am unaware of any other arts organization that has produced a musical theater/pop music concert in a local bar. TTB is another example of our willingness to try something new, something that we think will connect with the fringe performing arts community in a meaningful and novel way.

BWW: What are some of the goals for PMT productions? It's 10 years from now- where is PMT in the scheme of the Houston Arts scene?

Eduardo Guzman: PMT Productions was founded with a few concrete goals in mind: First, to promote all things Houston. We believe that Houston has a wealth of talented performing artists and unique performance venues. We are committed to seeking out those resources and utilizing them in a way that promotes Houston's stories. Second, we challenge ourselves to create/produce that offers fresh perspectives on the well-established genres of Musical Theater and Commercial Music. Finally, PMT Productions aims to create destination events for the fringe performing arts community. We are Houston artists who want to engage with other Houston artists in a meaningful way. We want to create an artistic hub within the thriving Houston arts scene.

In 10 years, PMT Productions will be an arts organization that is well-connected and networked across the Houston performing arts community. Although we function more like a traditional theater company now, in the future, I hope PMT will be able to produce multiple performance events simultaneously--from concerts to full-staged musicals to performance art events. In that kind of environment, PMT Productions would look like a vehicle for actors, singers, directors, and other performing artists who may have phenomenal ideas but who may lack the administrative, creative, and financial means necessary to execute those ideas.

BWW: Do you have any after-show rituals? Or routines before a show begins?

Eduardo Guzman: I do not have any after-show rituals--what I do after a show varies, although there is usually some sort of celebration, like food and drinks. Before every performance, I like to take time with casts (whether it be as their music director or as their director) to share what I am thankful for and to hear what they are thankful for. I do the same before every rehearsal I lead. I think it is so important to remember how much we have to be thankful for, and I believe artists should approach their art from that thankful space. During MIDTOWN LIVE, we are able to do that exercise at my apartment (because I live only about a block from Alley Kat) over a glass of wine, which made it all the better! I also make sure to find some alone time before a major performance. TTB has not been produced in Houston since 2007, and we are looking forward to bringing this piece to Houston performing arts audiences!

BWW: I agree that gratitude opens up such a positive energy when you're performing. Eduardo, thanks for your time! I can't wait to see tick, tick...BOOM!

PMT Productions will perform tick, tick...BOOM! at The Alley Kat Bar & Lounge January 15-17 at 9 pm, with a 3 pm matinee on January 17th.

For info and tickets, go to:http://www.pitchmethis.com/upcoming-showsevents.html

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