Interview: The Spirited David Trudell Dishes on His Holidays - Past & Present

Playwright/actor David Trudell returns to the Skylight Theatre December 13 for a solo one-nighter with his holiday-themed SPIRITS, ANYONE?

Moon Mile Run's multi-hyphenate Michael Kearns identifies Trudell as an artist "who aims to illuminate the zeitgeist of his generation through solo work that is identifiable, edgy, and humorous."

Gil Kaan: So, David, what inspired you to write SPIRITS, ANYONE?

David Trudell: Skylight Theatre asked me to write a solo show with a Christmas theme. I jumped at the chance because they produced my very first solo show in 2012. I consider them family. Basically, Skylight is like my mother. They birthed my solo career and unleashed me onto the LA theater scene. Once I learned that they wanted me to write a Christmas show, I began pacing around my apartment and talking to myself, trying to come up with ideas. The following morning, I sent my idea of a revisionist take on A Christmas Carol to my director, Michael Kearns. I wanted to tell a holiday story from a different perspective, minus the religious dogma and the commercialism. It's told through the eyes of a gay man, however, the themes resonate with any sexual orientation. Being gay is incidental to the journey within the show.

GK: With a holiday-themed title such as SPIRITS, ANYONE? I'm thinking alcoholic spirits will be involved. What kind of spirits will you be imbibing during the show?

DT: Whiskey. Although my flask onstage will be filled with flat ginger ale. If I were to imbibe real whiskey during the show, I'd end up dancing naked through the aisles of Skylight. That can't happen!

GK: Hmmm? Why not? SPIRITS, ANYONE? deals with the other types of spirits also, of course. You've updated the three ghosts of Dickens' A Christmas Carol relocating to Texas.

DT: Actually the show takes place in Hollywood. The spirits intervene to keep my character from driving to Texas and enrolling in an ex-gay institute. By the way, these spirits are very different from the ghosts in A Christmas Carol. The spirits in my show are more irreverent and saucy and they use profanity.

GK: Were you born and raised in Texas?

DT: I was born and raised in Hudson, New York in the Hudson Valley.

GK: How traditional was your family during the holidays?

DT: Fairly traditional. We opened gifts on Christmas morning while sitting in front of the fireplace by the tree. Then my mom would prepare a big dinner which we consumed in 20 minutes. We were all in a food coma by 2pm.

GK: How gay were your holidays growing up?

DT: I don't think my holidays were gay until I became a preteen. It started when I began looking at my G.I. Joes differently. Instead of sending them to war, I undressed them and made them dance with each other to Donna Summer. One Christmas, my dad bought me Donna Summer's "Live & More" album and that record seeped into my soul. By the way, the first Van Halen album affected me the same way! No lie.

GK: What's your funniest family holiday memory?

DT: I loved peanut butter as a kid and I still do! My mom baked a peanut butter cake for me and the rest of the family. It was so thick, people could barely swallow it. My grandfather was yelling from another room: "Dammit! Can someone bring me a glass of water?!" He sounded like he was drowning in quicksand.

GK: Was Santa Claus part of your family holidays?

DT: Santa was a part of my holiday, but even as a young kid I was skeptical. Each time I met Santa, he looked different. Not to mention, the Santa timetable didn't make sense. I would lie in bed analyzing the probability of a large man delivering presents around the world and finishing the task by Christmas morning. I wasn't allowed to swear, but one night I recall whispering "This is bullshit!" to myself in bed on Christmas Eve.

GK: What or whom do you want Santa to bring you this year?

DT: I wish good health for myself, my friends and my family. I've been a cancer survivor now for 19 years, so I know how important it is. On a completely superficial level, I'd love for Santa to drop Jussie Smollett under my tree.

GK: Will your holiday plans this year be crazy or traditional?

DT: My holiday plans aren't too crazy. I'll be spending it with my friends. Sometimes we have holiday sleepovers and exchange gifts. I also have a tradition of seeing one or two movies each day. I go to the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood, have some wine, and then escape into the theater. However, an innocent day like that can always lead to mischief later on. In fact, it usually does.

GK: Getting back to SPIRITS, ANYONE? - you've collaborated with Michael Kearns on how many shows now?

DT: SPIRITS, ANYONE? is our fourth collaboration.

GK: What about Michael keeps you coming back to working with him?

DT: I studied acting with Michael in the early '90s and we've been friends ever since. His artistic vision and passion is inspiring. When I'm writing a solo show and getting it "up on its feet" so to speak, he is always nurturing and non-judgmental. He loves to dig into the "process" of creating a show and that's intoxicating to me. Many actors don't enjoy the process and focus solely on results. I've learned to love the process because of him. Also, he's fearless and fun! We laugh so much, even when we're tackling serious issues. I couldn't ask for a better artistic collaborator and mentor.

GK: Will you be wearing a funny ugly Christmas sweater or a designer ensemble to perform in?

DT: We're still working on that. I'll most likely be wearing a nightshirt or pajamas. Maybe even a onesie with or without a flap in the back.

GK: Any New Year's resolutions or plans for 2016?

DT: After I begin dating Jussie Smollett, I plan to take this show, or another solo show of mine, to other venues around town. I'd love to perform a solo show in my hometown of Hudson. Many of my Hudson friends have been encouraging me to perform there. That would be a blast!

GK: Lastly, what message would you like your audience to leave with after seeing your show?

DT: We're all on this journey in life to remain true to ourselves, but also to evolve as human beings and engage with the world. Be open to diversity. Don't let anything or anyone derail you. And definitely don't be afraid to eschew traditions and conventionality. Normal is boring.

GK: Thank you, David Trudell and Happy Holidays to You!

SPIRITS, ANYONE? runs for one performance on Sunday, December 13th at 7pm. The Skylight Theatre complex is located at 1816 1/2 N. Vermont Ave, LA, 90027. Tickets are $20. Reservations: 213-761-7061 or online at skylighttheatrecompany.com

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