From the pen of
youngster playwright Itamar Moses, helmed by youngster director Pam Mackinnon
and interpreted by youngster actors Michael Esper and Gideon Banner – Manhattan
Theatre Club presents The Four Of Us
– a story of male companionship that reverberates for audiences young and old!
"When Benjamin's (Banner)
first novel vaults him into literary stardom, his friend David (Esper), a
struggling playwright, is thrilled for his newfound success...or is he? The Four Of Us is a poignant new play
about friendship and memory, the gap between our stories and our lives, and
what happens when your dreams come true – for your best friend," describe press
notes.
BroadwayWorld
caught up with both men
between shows yesterday to discuss their amiable characters in this delightful
new comedic drama that shines a soft blue light on the intimacy and fragility
of friendship…
Eugene Lovendusky:
Congratulations to you both for exceptional performances all around, and for
making your Manhattan Theatre Club debuts! How did either of you become
involved with The Four of Us?
Gideon Banner: I
actually knew Itamar in college; we were in the same class at Yale together. I
didn't know him very well then, but we hooked-up afterwards. I did his one-acts
[Untitled Short Play and Authorial Intent/Idea] and then they
brought me in to audition for The Four Of
Us at The Old Globe – and I've stayed with it since.
Michael Esper: I
just came in to audition for Pam and Itamar a few months ago. Then read with
Gideon and got in.
Gideon: We
actually knew each other previously. He was in Big Bill at Lincoln
Center and I understudied
his role.
Eugene: Director Pam Mackinnon translates
Itamar's text from page to stage really fluidly… what hand did Itamar in
putting it to the stage?
Michael: He's a
fiery dictator of a man! [laughs] No, I'm kidding! He's incredibly supportive.
The dynamic in the room was fantastic; really wonderful, free and fun. A great
environment to try things out, explore and play.
Gideon: Somewhat
like his plays, he has an admirable bluntness sometimes about what he thinks
about what he's written. Which is not to say that he's critical; but if you ask
him a question, he'll give you a great answer – which is a great quality to have
in the room. He doesn't over-shadow the director, he doesn't nay-say, but he
definitely has input. And he was an actor as well, which is helpful, because he
understands our perspective a little bit. If we get stuck with a line, we can
ask him: "What are you getting at?" and he'd say: "I don't know! Whatever you
think is great!" And Pam is extraordinarily supportive. She has this unique
ability to allow people to explore and flower while shaping the play at the
same time.
Michael: She
allows enormous freedom, but without ever making you feel like you're adrift.
Eugene: Charles Isherwood from The New York Times summed it up pretty
plainly saying you're "two likeable actors playing two likeable
characters." To that end, how did you
approach your characters?
Michael: That's
funny… I find them both really unlikable! [laughs] And Gideon is just an
intolerable person to be around, so it's a real achievement! [laughs] I just
really love them! I love Itamar's writing; and I love David and Ben's
relationship so much – as fraught as it is. They're flawed people. But I love
how Itamar doesn't do anything to sugar-coat or sentimentalize that. It was not a hurdle to take these characters
on.
Gideon: Itamar
has a remarkable ability to take his vulnerabilities and flaws and write them
onto the stage – not for the sake of exposing or some personal catharsis – but
really for the sake of showing those parts of all of us that are weak,
vulnerable, desire intimacy, fear intimacy. And that's what the play is about –
intimacy between two heterosexual males.
And of course how it's affected by time and money and distance
and girlfriends. But to me, that is what's most touching: How do two guys
remain friends?
