Friday, October 17, 2014

Spotlight On...Suzanne Bachner

Name: Suzanne Bachner

Hometown: New York City

Education: Ethical Culture Fieldston Schools (K-12), Oberlin College (BA), Actors Studio School of Drama at The New School (MFA)

Select Credits: CIRCLE (5-month Off Broadway run, Most Daring Show of the London Fringe, "Ingenious"- The New York Times), We Call Her Benny ("the future of theatre" - Broadway World) and Brilliant Mistake ("a work of pure genius!"- the Coast News)

Why theater?: It is the most thrilling collaborative medium where the creation and experience of it happen simultaneously requiring letting go of the result to make a powerful, visceral, incomparable impact.  It's like magic!

Tell us about Stories of Love and Passion and Spitting In The Face Of The Devil?: Two very different solo roller coaster rides created and performed by two remarkable artists. In Stories of Love and Passion, Rosie Bitts tells incredible intimate tales that run the gamut from sexy to disturbing to poignant to hilarious and belts zesty seductive heartbreaking songs accompanied by the wonderful Jeff Poynter.  There's also a thread of fantastic burlesque. Spitting In The Face Of The Devil is Bob Brader's true story of discovering that his abusive and ex-Marine father is a pedophile.  It's told with much light and unexpected comedy which makes it powerful, riveting, uplifting and unforgettable. Both these artists could tell (and in Rosie's case sing) any story that would transfix an audience, but these particular pieces are dynamite!
  
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Theatre that is authentic, risky and no holds barred.  Artists who don't save it but share it and are generous to a fault on and off stage.   I love the international Fringe touring community - the work is superb and the camaraderie is unique in a competitive field.  No better place for support and inspiration!

What’s your favorite show tune?: "Anything Goes"

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Anjelica Huston

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Sarah Silverman - "The 200 Year Old Woman"

What show have you recommended to your friends?: Sarah Elizabeth Greer's BIO-HAZARD: a relative comedy is a knockout show also in the United Solo Festival

What’s the most played song on your iTunes?: "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea (because I am!)

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: See above

What’s up next?: Denver's Dangerous Theatre is producing my choose-you-own-adventure play, BITE, Millstone Repertory is producing my adaptation, "Alice Through the Looking Glass" and I'm working on a new play.