A-LISTS theatre
Geoffrey Nauffts’ acclaimed comedy-drama,Next Fall was one of the best-reviewed Off- Broadway plays of 2009. The smash hit has already earned widespread critical praise (nominations for the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play, Drama Desk Award for Outstand- ing Play, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Play and a nomination for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding New York Theatre-Broadway and Off-Broadway.) The greatest news though, is that it is making it’s West Coast debut with the original New York director, Sheryl Kaller, while Geoffrey Naufft tackles the
portrayal of the show’s central character. The story explores the five-year relationship between two gay men, one an atheist, the other a devout, God fearing Christian. They fall in love and start on the path to reconcile their differences. We have Adam who is faithless, older and somewhat hung-up, while Luke is an impulsive, struggling actor with a devout Christian history. The stereotypical scenario of opposites attract is taken to new heights when Luke is involved in a critical accident—everything changes and Adam must turn to Luke’s family and friends. As they descend upon the couple, longtime differences collide, forcing opposing views on faith and family into a stand-off. As timely as it is touching, this story exposes the fundamental truth that we love people both because of—and in spite of—who they are.
by tony reverditto
Geoffrey, thanks for taking the time to give The Rage Monthly readers a chance to get to know you better. You have quite an impressive body of work, both in front of and behind the scenes. When did you first realize that you had a gift as a writer? Was there a particular project that you were working on or was it a gradual evolution? It’s always been something that I have been inter-
ested in. I think as an actor I had a lot of down time to be creative, I also direct and produce which involves a lot of people. Writing is something very solitary; you can do it by yourself. I was working on a series up in Canada and had lots of free time and I think that is when I really started exploring. Jumping to acting, I find it incredible that you were in the original Broadway production of A Few Good Men and then went on to do a role in the film starring Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise. How did that come to be? It was just one of those things. It wasn’t the same role
I did on Broadway, it was smaller. A bunch of us that were in the play auditioned and all of us got little parts. Any outstanding memories you could share when working with either of them? I had no contact with Jack. I had a little contact with
Tom; he was hitting baseballs to me for an afternoon. I can think of worse things. At any rate, Next Fall has a very heated storyline; it questions love, sexuality, spirituality, and family dynamics. What was your original inspiration for the script? I have always been fascinated with religion, even though I didn’t grow up with any particular religion. I think our world is very polarized a lot of the time, cer- tainly our country. I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the issues under a microscope. You are New York based, what compelled you to become part of the cast in the Los Angeles production? It has always been something that has been talked
about with the director in New York, but at the time it didn’t seem like the right thing to do. I just wanted to focus on being a writer. We discussed that down the line if we put a production together in L.A. I would do
18 RAGE monthly | OCTOBER 2011
it. So, here I am. You received a Tony nomination forNext Fall; how surreal was that recognition? It was so surreal for sure. I was very grateful to have
produced at all and to have the opportunity to show it to people, I was pleased that it got them talking. It was one of the reasons that I wrote the play to begin with, to get people thinking. To be rewarded with any acknowledgement nomination wise was the icing on the cake. I read somewhere that you and Anthony Barrile were col- laborating with Elton John on a score for a screenplay, Show- stopperthat you wrote for Ben Stiller’s company, Red Hour. Any updates on that project? Not right now, Anthony and I have written a few
songs with Elton—talk about surreal. He is an idol of mine from way back. To have an opportunity to get to know him and work with him has been unbelievable. Of course he and his partner, David Furnish were on board with Next Fall, which has been incredibly ben- eficial. I am really grateful to the two of them. No real update on this project, it’s still in development but it’s been a lot of fun to work on. What advice would you give couples that are not succeeding because of differences in their belief systems? Wow . . . I think it is about accepting people the way
they are and trying not to be threatened by their belief system. It’s not an easy thing; all couples have their issues and hot spots. I think communication is the key to work through them, religion is a big one, sex, and it all takes a lot of patience. The fundamental truth is that we love people both because of – and in spite of – who they are. All themes addressed in your wonderful play. Thanks and break a leg!
Next Fall runs Tuesday, October 25 through Sunday, December 4 at The Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Westwood Village, L.A. For tickets: 310.966.2412 or
geffenplayhouse.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84