Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Spotlight On...Chris March

Name: Chris March

Hometown: San Francisco, CA

Select Credits: Chris March's Butt-Cracker Suite! A Trailer-Park Ballet (2012), Christmas with the Crawfords (2000, 2001, 2002)

Why theater?: Theater is a world where you can enjoy so many different facets of life--expression, creativity, learning, relationships, humor, the meaning of life, hard work, and just plain fun.

Who do you play in Christmas With The Crawfords?: Christina Crawford, the bad seed of Joan Crawford.

Tell us about Christmas With The Crawfords: It is a comedic musical play based on a real-life live radio broadcast that took place on Christmas Eve in 1949. It takes off from there into a madcap mix of "Mommie Dearest", "Mildred Pierce", wire hangers, Hollywood movie stars, Christmas Carols...all singing all dancing mayhem by men in dresses (and one woman!). Oh, and I'm also the costume designer (nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design).

What is it like being a part of Christmas With The Crawfords?: I have been a fan of or in the show in some way for almost 20 years. I have worked many places in many shows, but there is nothing quite like this show. It has it's own heart, and everyone who has been in in it, seen it, or worked on it cherishes it in their own way. It's very special.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Of course, I am attracted to the visual and the humorous--so this show is perfect for me! I am inspired by risk taking, daring, non-traditional, non-politically correct shows and performances. We have become too homogenized and afraid to break traditional barriers.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Oh boy--I would love to be Edna in Hairspray!!!

What’s your favorite show tune?: It's cruel to ask for only one...I'll say "Beautiful City" from Godspell (the first show I ever saw).

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Baz Luhrman, He came to see my Butt-Cracker Suite! show and loved it. He is someone who is leading the way with new ideas and visuals to entertain and intrigue his audience.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: What a funny question...I guess I would have to play myself (!) and the title would be, "Laughing at My Expense".

What show have you recommended to your friends?: Recently...Hedwig and the Angry Inch...just fantastic.

What’s the most played song on your iTunes?: Lana Del Rey, "Ride". That song haunts me.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Thrift shopping!

What’s up next?: I have been planning to produce a certain theater show here in NYC for almost 15 years...and it looks like this coming year it might just happen! Keep your fingers crossed!