Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Spotlight On...Kevin Kilner

Name: Kevin Kilner

Hometown: Tappan, N.Y. (born - Baltimore, Md.)

Education: BS - Social & Behavioral Sciences; Johns Hopkins Univ.

Select Credits: 50th Anniv. Prod. of The Glass Menagerie w/Julie Harris, Calista Flockhart, & Zeljko Ivanek - Directed by the wonderful Frank Galati; the original production of Dinner With Friends Directed by the wonderful Dan Sullivan; “House Of Cards”; “Almost Perfect”

Why theater?: Nobody can say, ‘CUT!’.

Who do you play in KNOTS?: “The Doctor” - he’s a Psychiatrist

Tell us about KNOTS: It’s the exploration of love through an obsession with knots, mothers, lovers, and why stories are as important as air. A colorful, unique journey through a World (K)not very well known.

What is it like being a part of KNOTS: It is terrifying, edifying, joyous, fragile, dangerous, and wonderfully complex, puzzle solving, FUN.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: When I’m shaking, crying, chuckling, and excited as the lights come down. It’s rare. Unfiltered reverse order - Jordan Baker, Dorothea Kilner, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Stephen Sondheim, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, David Sedaris, David Simon, John Stewart, George Carlin, Lewis Black, Garrison Keillor, Mark Twain, Steven Soderbergh, Mark Rylance, Jimmy Stewart, Marlon Brando, Julie Harris, Calista Flockhart, Zeljko Ivanek, Lisa Emery, Julie White, Matt Arkin, Anthony Hopkins, Daniel Day Lewis, Meryl Streep; Michelangelo, Shakespeare, Brittany Howard (of Alabama Shakes!), Anton Chekov, Tennessee Williams, David Lindsay-Abaire, Walt Whitman, Rumi, Rodin, Salvador Dali, Robert Capa, Dorothea Lange, Louis Armstrong, the Gershwins & too many more to name.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Cyrano de Bergerac - (I wouldn’t need a prosthetic nose)

What’s your favorite showtune?: Tie - “Climb Every Mountain” & “Send In The Clowns”

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Cherry Jones, David Simon, Liev Schreiber, Allan Ball, David Lindsay-Abaire, Gene Hackman

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: The older me would be Mandy Patinkin. The movie star me would be Liam Neeson. The younger me would be Ryan Gosling. “The Adventures of  Mr. Goofball”

If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: First week of  A Streetcar Named Desire

What show have you recommended to your friends?: Finding Neverland, Hedwig & the Angry Inch, “The Wire”, “True Detective” (Season 1)

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Two dozen fresh steamed Maryland Crabs, extra cold beer, and home made chocolate/mocha ice cream.

What’s up next?: I’m going back to school - to study acting and writing

For more on Knots, visit www.knotstheplay.com