“Eggcicles” . . .
. . . written and directed by Adam Levine will be performed on Wednesday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m.
1. Where did you come up with the creative idea for your piece?
“Eggcicles” is the story of three naval commanders, Alexander Friedrich, Valentino Valentine, and Brude Mintyfresh, whose ship, the U.S.S. Stargazer, is destroyed during a battle in the Spanish-American War. The three men are now confined to a lifeboat as they drift through the cruel, war-torn seas. The play focuses on the tensions that arise as the men must face their bleak futures, troubled pasts and ultimately come face to face with their own mortality. I got the idea for this piece from the Theodore Roosevelt quote regarding American foreign policy, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” With “Eggcicles,” I attempted to paint a different picture of America’s role in international affairs. As such, the characters in “Eggcicles” belt it out, but carry toothpicks.
2. Where do you think your piece succeeds, and where do you see challenges for yourself as a playwright or director?
The piece most succeeds in the clarity of the story-telling. I was particularly proud of the way the plot of “Eggcicles” reveals itself in a coherent, efficient manner while still keeping the audience intrigued. The biggest challenge I faced as a playwright while working on “Eggcicles” was that, at times, I felt that the play was too serious. The story is solemn and is meant to be taken seriously, but I feel that there is a certain lack of levity that could have enhanced the piece and saved it from becoming too heavy-handed at certain moments.
3. What is the greatest challenge you have found so far (writing, working with actors, tech, etc)?
The most difficult part of directing a show like “Eggcicles” is that, because of its large cast (in addition to the three sailors, there are various crew members and merpeople) it is difficult to get everybody in the same place at the same time for rehearsal. Many of my cast members are serious performers and have many commitments to assorted acting programs and singing groups, which often made it difficult to schedule rehearsals.
4. Why were you interested in writing or directing a piece for SpringFest?
The students who write or direct plays for SpringFest are enrolled in a playwriting and directing course taught by the drama teacher, Mr. Schraufnagel. SpringFest was an ideal environment for working on the show as this course was a valuable guide for a beginning playwright and director.
5. What other pieces, besides your own, are you looking forward to? Why?
A.J. Perlin’s play has been shrouded in mystery for a long time. Who is it about? What is it about? Where is it about? When is it about? Why is it about? I am eager to find out.
6. In addition to writing or directing, are you performing any other roles, performance or technical, in SpringFest?
I play Lingk and Medea in the all-senior show, “The Least Offensive Play in the Whole Darn World,” that Mr. Schraufnagel is directing.
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