Rich Baron Interview by Jen Bush
Rich Baron is has been using his many talents to perform, write and positively influence the lives of students with the educational titles he has held in the arts. This actor and prolific author of books and plays has co-written a fun frolic through romance and therapy called Dream on, Baransky! Which will be opening at The American Theatre of Actors on March 22nd. We had a chance to pick Mr. Baron’s artistic brain when he graciously granted us some of his time to talk about his career and this show.
Mr. Baron’s life has been devoted to the arts. “As an artist, I’ve been an actor, artist-in-residence, writer and director for a former prominent children’s theater company on Long Island (at its inception the company was underwritten by the late Harry Chapin); I was a high school drama director during which time I wrote a bunch of original comedies for both high school and community theater venues. I’ve written several books for YA, one for tweens entitled “Hearts Are Not Ticklish” is still available thru Amazon.com; over the years I’ve written many poems, several short stories, and a handful of essays ( my fave essay: “An Amateur Gambler’s Guide to Ever-lasting Happiness.”) I was motivated to write this play by a lifelong love of theater, a lifelong love of writing, and a lifelong involvement with the CHI (Creativity/Humor/Imagination) factor.”
Mr. Baron finds that collaborating with other professionals is a vital part of creating new works. This piece went through numerous revisions to get to where it is now. “My creative process thrives on collaboration and revision. DOB went through nearly 200 revisions ( large and small) over its five plus years of existence; it’s been revised even more since the Minter/Brookes team sunk their creative claws into it.”
Mr. Baron is not concerned with offending people by making psychotherapy funny. He has a solid argument that other really controversial topics were not only satirized on Broadway but were wildly successful in their efforts. From the movie What About Bob to the current TV show Shrinking on Apple TV starring Harrison Ford, therapy has been muddled with in a humorous way, safe from villagers with torches. “Handling the delicate balance between the seriousness of psychotherapy and DOB’s comedic tone was easy. I completely ignored it; and for those who will be offended, I offer this line from the play: “That’s their problem!” DOB was written to uniquely entertain and highly amuse, not in any way to insult or offend. “The Producers” spoofed, of all things, Naziism, and “Book of Mormon” ripped into religion. The intent was enhancing the comedy although it was inevitable some wouldn’t see it that way. Apparently, the latter group was NOT in the majority of theatergoers.”
Any creative endeavor can be a learning experience. “I learned two things about myself from this process: 1. My love of theater which has been with me from my early teens is at an all-time high. 2. I am even more of a perfectionist than before I entered this process–and that’s damn scary to me!”
It’s no surprise that having a production mounted at The American Theatre of Actors has been a wonderful experience for Mr. Baron. They are a highly respected landmark theatre in operation for over 45 years. They provide a supportive and encouraging environment for artists to cultivate their creativity. “ATA is, for lack of a better cliche, “a dream come true.” To be under the “wing” of as dedicated, accomplished, and (still) visionary a theater professional as James Jennings; to have your play directed by as young, talented, and just plain brilliant an artist as Jake Minter; and to have your play performed by as well-trained and dynamic a cast of young actors as Jake has selected–it really doesn’t get any better than this!”
Mr. Baron is putting all his efforts into Dream on, Baransky! to take it as far as possible. Between Mr. Baron’s expertise and experience and his partnership with ATA, his dream should easily become a reality. “And here’s what’s next: It’s all about DOB, baby! The immediate goal: have a successful three-week run at ATA. The long-range goal (which is actually interwoven with the immediate goal) is to have DOB revived at ATA in late summer (maybe some script revisions before that, who knows); and THEN focus on having ATA become the parent theatre for DOB going forward–if you wanna see this( let’s hope and pray) highly successful new comedy down the road, you gotta go to ATA to see it!”
ARTIUM: OMNI 