Friday, November 27, 2015

Spotlight On...Matt Pilieci

Name: Matt Pilieci

Hometown: Ronkonkoma, NY

Education: American Academy of Dramatic Arts

Select Credits: Rantoul and Die (Cherry Lane Theater), The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side (PS122), Happy in the Poorhouse (Theater 80)

Why theater?: When I grew up the great actors and most of my favorite actors came from a theater backround. I wanted to be like the people I admired.

Who do you play in The Eternal Space?: Paul Abbot, an aspiring photographer and construction worker.

Tell us about The Eternal Space: The Eternal Space is a play that brings the old Penn Station 2 life. But at its heart it is a relationship play about 2 people finding something they both need. In a person they would least expect.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Fast moving comedies with emotional substance. I love characters with human flaws and a lot of heart. The hooker with a heart of gold, Jamie Lee Curtis in Trading Places so to speak. Ha. Blue collar families and the everyday struggle is what inspires me.

Any roles you're dying to play?: I want to play a monster, a literal monster. Like a Troll or Werewolf. Basically a "monster" character in anything Guillermo Del Toro has done or will do. I grew up on horror movies and I love the physical work behind those types of characters.

What's your favorite showtune?: “The Confrontation” from Jekyll and Hyde... It's pretty goddamn hilarious and awesome to sing alone to yourself.

If you could work with anyone you've yet to work with, who would it be?: Bobby Canavale

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: “Uncle Franks House of Hunks, The Story of Sexual Chewbacca”. A musical, starring Hugh Jackman... because its the easiest way for him to get inside me... wink wink nudge nudge

If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: I would go back and see the 1982 premier of Noises Off because it is my favorite play ever.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: The Humans

What's your biggest guilty pleasure?: Video Games

What's up next?: Well I am currently in a fight to save my apartment building, just like the plot to save the community center in "Breaking 2 Electric Boogaloo"... Other than that I am filming a commercial in Kentucky as soon as The Eternal Space ends. Nothing on my plate yet in terms of theater for the new year.