Follow Us On Twitter
Brett Neveu, important American playwright and father agreed to an interview with us. Neveu has 3 plays onstage in Chicago right now, so naturally we needed the big scoop. There was only one problem! He is in L.A. and we are here in Chicago! So we decided to split the difference and meet somewhere in the middle; a miniature golf course in Moline, Illinois.
Good morning, Brett and thank you for meeting us here in Moline, Illinois at this mini golf park.
My pleasure, as long as I get to be the red ball. I'm always the red ball.
That's a fair request, since you are going to lose. They call us the white Chi Chi Rodriguez.
And they call me "The Red Ball." For obvious reasons. If you gather.
So Brett, let's talk about your stupid career decisions. First, you move to Los Angeles to become a famous playwright, and then all your plays are being done in Chicago, just a few miles north of here, Moline, Illinois.
And so what's the question? Hold on, let me putt. Okay. Go ahead.
I think what I'm asking is...why did you move away?
I moved away because my wife and I had a baby and we were looking for a change. Plus my parents were spending a lot of time in California and we wanted our daughter to be able to hang with them. And, regarding writing, I was looking to learn some new skills beyond playwriting. In addition, I was a bit burnt out and just wanted to be a dad for awhile.
Kids ruin everything, don't they?
Kids ruin most things, so it's just about deciding what they will ruin and when. That's what parenting is all about.
So did you go out there for TV work also, or do you have plans in that direction?
I've slowly been learning the TV writing process, taking two-three years of helping to raise Lia before I really started getting into it. So, yeah, I was looking to do TV stuff, but only in the past year or so have I gotten together with the folks that can help me with that, including managers, agents - pitching shows, taking meetings and all that.
It seems you have seen your play-writing star rise over the past few years. Are you afraid of being "Barton Finked" out in Hollywood?
Not really afraid of the Barton. Mostly because I've never subscribed to the idea that change is bad. From being an actor first, I learned that it's all "learning and changing", so whatever I learn and however I change, that's ultimately up to me and how I face that sort of stuff. Plus I know that whatever I do, people are hiring me because they like what I do. Whatever I bring to the whatever, folks know where I'm initially -- and eventually -- coming from. I'm a playwright in LA. There's no hiding or mistaking that fact.
I'm gonna go ahead and order us some chili dogs from our caddie. So, wait, you were an actor? What happened?
Control issues. Nerves. Frustration. Boredom. I like writing better.
Tell us about the plays you have onstage now in Chicago.
I have three running right now, each sort of very different. ODRADEK, with House, is a gothic fairytale about a teenager going slowly insane and how his insanity takes hold of him through the monster under the stairs. The second is titled DO THE HUSTLE and it's with Writers' Theatre, and it's about a father and son team of street hustlers who are trying to push poverty out of the way by chancing one last desperate and terrible family-related score. And the third is THE EARL with The Inconvenience and that play is about three brothers who hit each other with a crowbar while trying to have a nice, normal family reunion. And one of the brothers brings, basically, Clint Eastwood to the reunion.
Those all sound like the same play. So, at one time you were commissioned to write for The Haunted El, the scary El train adventure that happens around Halloween time on special trains down in the Chicago Loop. What was that like, having to work for the city?
Much like Wooderson in 'Dazed and Confused', it was a good gig that allowed me to party party party, all right all right all right. And it paid well. And I love Halloween, so it was honestly a great gig. I'd do it again in a heartbeep.
Do you have any favorite places you like to visit when you come back to Chicago these days? Another hole in one for us.
My favorite places to visit are: Uncle Fun; where I used to work and still love to be. Laurie's Planet of Sound; where I used to try and be casual and look at records like a geek. Chicago Comics; more looking like a geek in the self-published comic section.
That reminds me. We wanted to ask you if you would write a play where we stop terrorism. Not just a terrorist, but the entire notion of terrorism.
Sure. You want me to write it right now?
How long does it take you to write a play, like 30 minutes?
Depends on the kind of play. A play about you guys and terrorism, that I could do in a minute or so. A full-length (hour and a half for me) takes me a 3-4 months.
Man, I say go for it. Let's get all American Theatre up in this piece.
So write it now?
Okay.
Ladies and Gentlemen, a Neveu World Premiere:
ERIC AND ANDY DEMOLISH TERRORISM
by Brett Neveu
2011
(Lights up on a couch. Seated on the couch are ERIC and ANDY. Both wear sweats and hold salad bowls full of salad.)
ERIC
You call.
ANDY
No, you call.
ERIC
I'm not going to do it.
ANDY
You're the one with the strong opinion.
ERIC
You're opinion is just as strong.
ANDY
Sorry. You're right.
ERIC
Then make the call.
(The doorbell rings.)
ANDY
Oh crap.
ERIC
That's probably him.
ANDY
At least we won't have to call now...
ERIC
(to door) Come in!
(GERALD, in a suit, enters.)
GERALD
Eric. Andy. Hi.
ERIC
Hey, Gerald.
ANDY
Hey.
GERALD
Heard you had some opinions you wished voiced.
ANDY
Yeah, well, we were only just talking.
ERIC
Yeah. We were just talking over a few things.
ANDY
And we were thinking -- no terrorism. Anymore. Out with it. Get 'er gone. Make do with what we got. The end.
ERIC
Totally. I'm down.
GERALD
Wow. Okay. I'll let them know.
ANDY
Cool. Thanks.
ERIC
Excellent.
ANDY
(to GERALD) You want some salad?
GERALD
Sure.
(GERALD crams onto the couch with ERIC and ANDY. GERALD eats salad for about ten minutes.)
(Fade to black.)
END
Well there you have it, Chicago. A fresh take on the end of terrorism as we know it. Please email us if you'd like us to come do it at your church or community center.
And so, who wants the bill for the play? You or Andy?
Well, thanks Brett, looks like you shot a 56! New record for you and the Moline Mini Putt and GoKartAporium! Hope you enjoy all that Los Angeles has to offer!
Wait -- hold on -- who gets this bill for the play?! I got a kid to feed! And I have a putter to hit people with who don't pay.
Help! A semi-famous Chicago playwright is beating us up!
Aw, you guys are all right. I only halfway beat you up. I'll consider that payment enough.
Brett, you are a hero. Thanks for taking the time. Now, let's hit the first aid tent.
Eric Roach, Anderson Lawfer
Eric Roach and Anderson Lawfer are the founders of www.Reviewsyoucaniews.blogspot.com