theatre by brad hart
CeNTer STAGe
with Brian Mackey
from The Little Dog Laughed
Douglas Carter Beane’s Tony Award-winning comedy The Little Dog Laughed makes its San Diego debut
at the Diversionary Theatre. A hilarious inside look at the world of celebrity, The Little Dog Laughed tells the Bed and Sofa
story of a hot Hollywood actor played by Brian Mackey who is about to win the role of the century. That is if he returns to the Cygnet!
can keep his sexuality under wraps. Mackey, who has starred in two prior Diversionary productions—Corpus Cygnet Theatre Company has brought
Christi and As Much As You Can, took time out of his busy schedule to talk with The Rage Monthly. back one of its most popular and critically
acclaimed productions, Bed and Sofa, to
Rage: Tell us about your role in The Little Dog Laughed? close out their fabulous sixth season. “A
Brian Mackey: I play the role of Mitchell, the up-and-coming movie star. When the play begins, Mitchell is remount of Bed and Sofa has been on our
struggling with his sexual identity and the pressures that come from being in the public eye. One of the big short list for the last couple of seasons and
challenges that Mitchell must face is the public opinion of gay movie stars and the limitations that coming out we figured that this would be the perfect
can put on one’s career. time to introduce it to our newer audience
members who may not have seen it five
Rage: Was there anything in particular that drew you to it? years ago,” said Artistic Director Sean
BM: The first time that I read the play I was drawn to the wit that the playwright has infused in the language. Murray. Cygnet originally produced the
The quips and puns and one-liners that each character possesses are beautifully written. The arguments Southern California premiere of Bed and
between the characters are like fencing matches. One character jabs and the other parries and then jabs back Sofa in 2004 on its rolando Stage as part
with something of their own. It is so much fun to listen to. of its first season. Success soon followed
as the production was honored with eight
Rage: When did you first discover your zest for acting? awards including the San Diego Critics
BM: I started acting when I was very young. Like most young actors, my parents signed me up for a school Awards for outstanding musical revival
play, and I was hooked. One of my first big parts was the role of Goldilocks for my kindergarten class. No one and outstanding direction of a musical. It
else in the class wanted to do it, so I was given a wig and dress and I took the part. I continued acting through also received a Patté Award for outstanding
high school and I went to college and received a bachelors in Theatre Arts. production. Bed and Sofa is the enchanting
three-character “silent movie opera” based
Rage: Do you have an all-time favorite Broadway show? on Abram room’s scandalous 1926 russian
BM: I have such a hard time naming a favorite show. So much depends on the mood that I am in when I see film comedy. It tells the story of a husband
a show. Some of the ones that I really enjoy are Les Miserables, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The History Boys, and wife living in Stalinist Moscow who,
Big River and The Goat or Who is Sylvia? That is a very short list and I could name dozens more that I love just as during a severe housing shortage, bring in
much. an old friend to live and sleep on their sofa.
When unexpected romance begins to alter
Rage: Why should our readers be sure to see The Little Dog Laughed? the balance of their relationships, the three-
BM: The Little Dog Laughed is a fun, satirical look at Hollywood and the culture that surrounds it. The dialogue some try to make the best of their cramped
is so quick and the characters so well-written that you feel for each of them and the hurdles they face. Like all quarters.
good plays, I think the audience will find the characters relatable and will be able to recognize themselves in
the action that takes place. Bed And Sofa
is now playing and runs through May 31
The Little Dog Laughed plays May 7 – 31 at Diversionary Theatre. at Cygnet Theatre’s Old Town Stage.
For tickets call 619.220.0097. For tickets call 619.337.1525.
8 RAGE monthly | MAY 2009
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