BWW Interviews: J. Dietz Osborne, A Life in the Theatre

 

If J. Dietz Osborne has seemed a bit distracted lately, it's easy to understand why. Within the past couple of months, he has directed Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, now onstage at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, been putting the finishing touches on Southern Fried Funeral (which will have its world premiere production by Franklin's Bethlehem Players starting Friday, March 12) with his writing partner Nate Eppler, and he's been cast as movie director Victor Fleming in Frankly, My Dear (opening March 18 at Chaffin's Barn).

Add to that mix: his partner Paul J. Cook's production of Fat Pig opened Friday, March 5, at Darkhorse Theatre, continuing GroundWorks Theatre's season of Nashville premieres. And then there was his gig a couple of weeks ago as emcee of Broadway at Bethlehem, the annual fundraiser that finances all things theatrical at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, home of Bethlehem Players (perhaps best described as that particular congregation's answer to church softball).

To say things are a bit crazed at Chez Osborne might be an understatement, but somehow Dietz appears as cool as the proverbial cucumber, taking things in stride, even if it means he's sometimes polishing one show while starting the process of another while penciling ideas in his notebook for another one further down the line. How he does it all remains a secret, but he opened up about what made him choose theatre, in general, and Nashville, in particular, as the spotlight falls on him with this week's "A Life in the Theatre." Enjoy...

What was your first "taste" of theatre?

I started tap dancing when I was six and did my first show, Gypsy when I was nine. I played little Tulsa and have since played big Tulsa twice.

What was your first real job or responsibility in the theatre?

My first professional show was at Murry's Dinner Playhouse in Little Rock, Arkansas. They are about six months younger than Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre. I was in the cast of Crazy For You when I was a senior in college.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in theatre?

Once I got to college, I had done about ten shows and knew that I wanted a degree in theatre. Our junior year, the faculty would meet with you individually and evaluate whether or not you should continue in the program. They said I should and I knew at that point, that I would make it my goal to be a working actor. That was almost 15 years ago and a year hasn't gone by that I haven't worked professionally.

Why do you pursue your art in Nashville? What are the best parts of working here?

In 1998 I came to audition for Guys & Dolls at Chaffin's Barn. Basically, I was the most Cuban thing that showed up and I was cast as the Cuban dancer and as a featured crap shooter. My plan was to have a home base in Little Rock and work regionally. However, once I started to work at Chaffin's Barn and discovered the family aspect of the Nashville theatre scene, I just stayed.

If you could play any role, direct any work, design any production, mount any production...what would it be and why?

Actually, I've been fortunate to play many of my dream roles including Billy Flynn in Chicago and Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Who would play you in the film version of your life story?

Depending on what part of my life you're speaking of, there are several. Oliver Platt in my heftier high school days, Eric McCormick in my later college years and Hunter Foster where I am right now.

What's your favorite play/musical?

My favorite musical is probably Fiddler on the Roof. In my opinion, it is the perfect blend of comedy and pathos; scenes and songs. My favorite play is Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. I tell ya, that Tennessee Williams could write.

If you could have dinner with any three figures (living or dead, real or fictional) who are a part of the theatre, who would you choose and why?

Angela Lansbury: I've had the good fortune of seeing her on stage twice. I'd love to sit down with her and just ask questions. What was it like to be the original Mame Dennis? (in the musical. I realize that several had played Mame in previous incarnations.) What was filming like for Bedknobs and Broomsticks? Now that you're eighty-something years old, how do you still do eight shows a week Gypsy Rose Lee: for obvious reasons. Neil Simon: Although I don't love all of his work, as a budding playwright, I would love to sit down with him and discuss the craft.

Imagine a young person seeing you onstage or seeing a production in which you played a major role coming up to you and asking you for advice in pursuing their own theatrical dream...what would you say?

"Stay out of it kid, it's harder than it looks."

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