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Why You Should Come See The Coast of Utopia

So here's a radical idea.

A director is going to tell you why you should see his show.

That's not the radical part.

The radical part is when I'm honest about why should see it.

Often today we're given unexciting shows and then we hear spin about how they're going to be exciting because of who's doing them.

Well, I'll tell you one thing--you shouldn't see "The Coast of Utopia: Part One--Voyage" because of me.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm fantastic.

But that's not a good enough reason to give up an entire night, some money, and your valued attention.

These, however, are very good reasons:

I have a cast of dedicated, talented, thoughtful people--keyword: talented. Don't come see them because they're nice, because you work with them, go to school with them, or because they see your shows. Come see them because they're so damn good in this show it's astounding.

Come see this show because it's about how important art is. It's about what happens when a country sacrifices culture. It's about what happens when we forget to see the beauty surrounding us every day--including in the people around us.

It's written by the amazing Tom Stoppard. When I first read it, I couldn't believe that it was the same play I'd heard about from reviews. I'd heard the words "difficult," "dense," and "monumental." It certainly is monumental in that it's part of a trilogy, but I have to disagree with the other comments. I find it to be incredibly accessible.

Tricky at times? Yes. It's not handed to you on a plate. It asks you to invest in it. It's directly political and it doesn't apologize for it. It's smart--it's so damn smart. I love that about it.

What's the best reason to come see this show?

The same reason I had for producing and directing it:

Supporting shows like this encourages other people and theaters to do more shows like this. My cast and I have put so much work into this show because we believe in theater that digs deeper than the surface. I personally think that just because the economy is tougher; it doesn't mean theater has to get dumber. I think now we should be asking even harder questions, and if we lose a few people who'd rather see Godspell, so be it.

I do the shows I want to see, and believe me, I would want to see this show.

That's the best reason I can give you.

I'll see you there.

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