Q&A with Buffalo Heights' Nina Leese

Buffalo Heights is TIC's first world premiere production, a comedy about a new teacher who moves to Buffalo to teach French, only to find herself embroiled in scandal when she crosses the wrong student.  The production was devised, or company-created, over the course of six months, and the resulting script, crafted by playwright Adam Harrell, is as goofy as it is heartfelt.

The show runs for 8 performances, May 7-10 and 14-17 at 8 PM at The Bridge Theatre.  Purchase $18 tickets online or by phone at 212-868-4444.

Nina "Foxy" Leese

You might recognize actress Nina Leese from TIC's production of Our Town, in which she played Mrs. Gibbs.  This time around, she plays a powerful Congresswoman in Buffalo Heights.

What has been your favorite part of creating Buffalo Heights?
The support of my fellow actors.  No one judges and everyone wants the best experience and end product possible.  This is a really nice group of people.

Buffalonians love their hometown teams and food.  Where are you from and what stirs up your pride?
I'm from Long Island, NY and I went to Lawrence High School.  I cannot remember for the life of me what our team mascot was -- a panther?  A cougar?  It was some kind of cat.  I really just went to the football games because I had a crush on the team captain.  I went to every game and I still have no idea how to play football.  I was Art Captain of my Sports Night team.  The name of the event is deceiving since there weren't many sports.  I did the art for it and was on the dance team.  Go blue team!

We took inspiration from The Children's Hour and Rhinoceros.  What's your favorite person, place or thing from those two plays?
In the movie version of The Children's Hour, I loved Veronica Cartwright's performance as Rosalie.  Poor Rosalie!  My heart just went out to her.

In many ways, Buffalo Heights is a fish-out-of-water story--can you remember a time when you were clearly out of your element?
When I graduated from college, I worked for 2 days as a bartender at The Foxy Hutch on Long Island, not knowing what I was getting into or what I was doing.  Really?  I couldn't tell by the name?  I had to wear a bathing suit, fishnet stockings and high heels.  If you know me now, you're thinking WHAT?!?!?  I quit after 2 days and the owner called me, begging me to stay.  He told me I would be the smart, sophisticated one (the other girls were pretty scary).  I said, buh-bye!

We reference Apollinaire's Bestiaire, a book of poems about animals and what traits they represent.  What animal is your character, Diane, and why?
My character would be the Foo Dog, which are really more like lions rather than dogs.  They are always in pairs, guarding palaces and public buildings of importance.  One represents the female and protects people.  The other is male and he defends the universe.  In much the same way, Diane, my character, feels the need to protect both her child and the community she represents as Congresswoman.

Q&A with Buffalo Heights' Shelley Little

Buffalo Heights is TIC's first world premiere production, a comedy about a new teacher who moves to Buffalo to teach French, only to find herself embroiled in scandal when she crosses the wrong student.  The production was devised, or company-created, over the course of six months, and the resulting script, crafted by playwright Adam Harrell, is as goofy as it is heartfelt.

The show runs for 8 performances, May 7-10 and 14-17 at 8 PM at The Bridge Theatre.  Purchase $18 tickets online or by phone at 212-868-4444.

Shelley "Sticky Buns" Little

Actress Shelley Little returns to the TIC stage as the school principal in Buffalo Heights, her fifth TIC production.  Read on about this talented thesp.

What has been your favorite part of creating Buffalo Heights?
I am interested in getting more involved with the development of new work, and getting to do it in a room filled with positive, creative people, many of whom I've worked with before, was really great.  I love my character, the uptight principal Jean Washington, and I got to spend several months learning what makes her tick!

Buffalonians love their hometown teams and hot wings.  Where are you from, who do you root for, and what is your hometown favorite food?
I'm from Columbus, Ohio, home of the Ohio State Buckeyes!  Pretty much the entire town runs on football.  Every week, my family sits down in their Scarlet & Grey and watches the game.  I'm not a big sports fan, but going to a game or eating chocolate-covered-peanut-butter-balls (called Buckeyes) definitely says home to me!

We took inspiration from The Children's Hour and Rhinoceros.  What's your favorite person, place or thing from those two plays?
I love Rhinoceros.  The final scene was MY final scene at Circle in the Square Theater School.  Dan Mian (best actor ever) and I did it once through and then Alan Langdon told me that he didn't feel like Daisy really wanted to join the rhinoceroses, so when we did it again, my group of second year students waved and smiled, warmly inviting me to join them.  It was such a great way to end my time with them in that tiny basement classroom.  I'll always cherish that moment and the play!

Q&A with Buffalo Heights' Matt Whitfield

Buffalo Heights is TIC's first world premiere production, a comedy about a new teacher who moves to Buffalo to teach French, only to find herself embroiled in scandal when she crosses the wrong student.  The production was devised, or company-created, over the course of six months, and the resulting script, crafted by playwright Adam Harrell, is as goofy as it is heartfelt.

The show runs for 8 performances, May 7-10 and 14-17 at 8 PM at The Bridge Theatre.  Purchase $18 tickets online or by phone at 212-868-4444.

We sat down with actor Matt Whitfield to talk about his first TIC production, small town life, psychedelics and wild dreams.

What has been your favorite part of creating Buffalo Heights?

Matt Whitfield

My favorite part has been the complete ownership of the character, Conner Smith.  From the first rehearsal, I've had a great deal of artistic influence on him, and because I now feel like I know him so well.

We set our piece in the proud city of Buffalo.  Where are you from, and what is a source of pride from your hometown?
My hometown is Pinehurst, Idaho.  In a town of 1,500 people, there isn't a place that one can't go on foot.  Growing up, I would walk the entire town.  The best place to eat, however, is the Snake Pit, an old brothel, turned restaurant/bar, that serves up classic American fare: burgers, chicken tender baskets, and the best root beer.  I always go back to the Snake Pit when I'm home.

Buffalo Heights takes place in a fictional high school with that same name.  If you had to write Conner Smith's entry in the high school yearbook, what would it say?
"Most likely to do nothing with his life.  Inspiring complacency and psychedelics for all."

We took inspiration for our piece from The Children's Hour and Rhinoceros. What was your favorite person, place or thing from those plays?
For me, Jean from Rhinoceros exemplifies the struggle we all go through, especially in New York, where what we wear, how we look, and our punctuality tell the world who we are.  Jean relies on those things to tell him who he is, and it's so fun to watch him implode in the play.

Buffalo is famous for its snow.  What's your ideal weather?
I love clear days in the mid-to-low 70's.  On a day like that, I have to get outside, and lately, I have to run: through Central Park, across the George Washington Bridge, or maybe just up to Fort Tryon Park.

In some ways, Buffalo Heights is a fish-out-of-water story.  Tell us about the last time you felt you were that fish.
Last year, my wife and I traveled to Spain.  It was my first time outside the country, and I don't speak Spanish, but my wife does--we stayed with her host mom from when she studied abroad.

The first night, I was so confused.  My head was spinning and I felt cross-eyed.  Everyone speaks with such personality and expressivity!

My first night, I dreamt in Spanish.  To dream in a language that you can't understand is quite an experience.  It was like watching a record player spin while people dance and enjoy the music, but you don't hear the music.  The next day, I swear I could subconsciously understand what people were saying, even if I really didn't.  I wasn't nervous anymore about the language barrier, I just sat back and enjoyed the music.

Q&A with Buffalo Heights' Joe Mullen

Buffalo Heights is TIC's first world premiere production, a comedy about a new teacher who moves to Buffalo to teach French, only to find herself embroiled in scandal when she crosses the wrong student.  The production was devised, or company-created, over the course of six months, and the resulting script, crafted by playwright Adam Harrell, is as goofy as it is heartfelt.

The show runs for 8 performances, May 7-10 and 14-17 at 8 PM at The Bridge Theatre.  Purchase $18 tickets online or by phone at 212-868-4444.

We asked actor Joe Mullen about playing a hapless security guard at Buffalo Heights and other goofy and great moments as of late.

Think, Mullen, think!

All the actors were integral to creating Buffalo Heights. What was your favorite part of the process?
I've really enjoyed the entire workshopping and developing process we've engaged in.  Adam (the playwright) and Jake (director) created a very generous and free environment, where I was free to goof off and make big choices about my character.  Then, before you know it, Adam shows up with a script that has so much taken from our improv sessions.  I have to stop and say to myself, "Oh my God!  I don't remember saying this... did I say this?!?!"  And Adam is like, "Yeah, Joe, I have it all recorded."

Our piece is set in Buffalo, NY, where there is a lot of local pride in sports and food.  Where are you from and what is your go-to local cuisine?
I'm from Chicago originally and I still follow both the Bears and the Bulls: two of the oldest and greatest franchises in professional sports.  When I'm home, there's nothing better than turning the game on, plopping down on the couch, and opening up a box of Lou Maltani's deep dish pizza... it's the best.

Tell us about the last time you had a weird audition experience. 
Once I went to what I thought was a live (well-paying) promo event for Cirque du Soleil, and it turned out to be an open dancers call.  I was in jeans and street shoes.  I stood in the back, tried to keep up with the limberettes, and failed.  Then, during a bathroom break, I snuck out and went home.

For more about this talented guy, visit his web site.

Q&A with Buffalo Heights' Jake Lipman

Buffalo Heights is TIC's first world premiere production, a comedy about a new teacher who moves to Buffalo to teach French, only to find herself embroiled in scandal when she crosses the wrong student.  The production was devised, or company-created, over the course of six months, and the resulting script, crafted by playwright Adam Harrell, is as goofy as it is heartfelt.

The show runs for 8 performances, May 7-10 and 14-17 at 8 PM at The Bridge Theatre.  Purchase $18 tickets online or by phone at 212-868-4444.

Producing artistic director Jake Lipman talks a bit about this new work and how it came to be TIC's 27th production.

How did you first meet everyone involved on Buffalo Heights?

Jake Lipman has been to Buffalo 7 times.

A few years ago, we gave the NY premiere to a play by Bill Downs called Books on Tape, and a playwright who knew Bill had asked to meet me after the show -- this turned out to be Adam Harrell. I liked him instantly -- we had a beer, we talked plays and after that met up a few times and he started coming to see my shows.  That was really great, because he got to see the overarching style of TIC's pieces and see me perform and direct.

Four of the other actors had been in previous TIC productions: Shelley Little (How I Learned to Drive, The Mistakes Madeline Made, Our Town, The Drunken City), Nina Leese (Our Town), Joe Mullen (The Mistakes Madeline Made) and Allison Lemel (How to Behave, plus assistant direction on more than a dozen shows).  They were all people who are as talented as they are nice and funny and collaborative.  Adam had worked a lot with our final cast member, Matt Whitfield, and brought him on board, and he fit in right away.

Shelby Arnold, our wonderful assistant director, came into the picture through a referral from my friend Miranda Jonte, a fellow actress/producer.

Once we all got in the room to work on the piece months ago, we hit it off.  We quickly made choices about our characters, and then did all kinds of funny exercises and scenarios that led to the plot of the play.

I just got home from a great rehearsal and everyone was cheering each other on in different scenes.  That was a result of all our time together -- we're a bunch of goofy weirdoes together and the play means a lot to us all.

Why is this piece set in Buffalo?  Are you from there?
No, but my husband, Philip Rothman (also our sound designer) is.  We have gone there many times together to see his family and it's this great city with a lot of pride and history and also there's this feeling that it has fallen on hard times.

I have to give credit to a friend for the inspiration to set our piece there: I was talking about the play Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco and how I wanted to try to Americanize and con temporize it, and she joked, "Set it in Buffalo.  Get it?  A buffalo is like a rhinoceros, sorta..."

Here's the thing: I knew I wanted to do a piece about a school and scandal in a small town.  Buffalo, NY gives the piece some dimension.  It's a place people know about, even if they haven't been there, with its hometown pride, spicy wings, snowy winters and proximity to Canada.  It has texture and humor built in.

What about The Children's Hour?  Weren't you inspired by that piece somehow?
When I was 10, I booked my first professional role in a Boston production at the Triangle Theatre Company of The Children's Hour.  I played one of the girls in a boarding school where a strong-willed student lies about her teachers being lesbians, ruining their lives.  The play, by Lillian Hellman, was nominated for a Pulitzer for drama, and doing the show with a theater company that put on stories pertaining to gay rights awoke an interest and activism in me for LBGT equality ever since.

So, Children's Hour and Rhinoceros were plays I knew and loved and wanted to somehow work on, but in a new way.

We read the two plays as a cast and then went in a new direction with some of the plot points and personas, and came up with a story that tips its hat to the inspiration plays.

I can't believe after 6 months of working on it, we're going to premiere the finished play in about 2 weeks.  I'm so happy and proud and grateful to Adam, Allison, Nina, Shelley, Joe, Matt and Shelby for making it all come together.  Come see it!  I'm really excited to show people our work.

Q&A with Buffalo Heights' Allison Lemel

Buffalo Heights is TIC's first world premiere production, a comedy about a new teacher who moves to Buffalo to teach French, only to find herself embroiled in scandal when she crosses the wrong student (played by Allison Lemel).

The production was devised, or company-created, over the course of six months, and the resulting script, crafted by playwright Adam Harrell, is as goofy as it is heartfelt.

Buffalo Heights runs for 8 performances, May 7-10 and 14-17 at 8 PM at The Bridge Theatre.  Purchase $18 tickets online or by phone at 212-868-4444.

Allison Lemel has worked on over a dozen productions with Tongue in Cheek.  We sat down with Allison to hear what makes this funny actress TIC(k).

Allison (Lemur) Lemel

1. What has been your favorite part of creating Buffalo Heights?
The process of creating the piece allowed us to be silly and crazy.  It's not often you can act as ridiculous as you want and get away with it!  In real life, I can't run around my office screaming, but I could in the world of Buffalo Heights.

2. Buffalo Heights takes place in Buffalo, NY, where there is a lot of local pride.  Where are you from and who do you root for?
I'm from Yorktown Heights in Westchester County (Westchester's the best Chester!).

My hometown team was the Yorktown Huskers, and our mascot is a corn husk.  At our pep rallies, we would have someone dressed up as an actual corn husk, with yellow-colored bubble wrap.  I have to admit, I always wanted to be a husk.

3. Buffalo Heights references the French poet Guillaume Apollinaire's poems about various beasts, called Bestiaire.  Is there an animal with which you identify?
I would definitely be a lemur.  My last name is Lemel, and people have been known to call me Lemur; I can make myself look like one by widening my eyes and peering around corners, lemur-like.

Q&A with Buffalo Heights' playwright Adam Harrell

Buffalo Heights is TIC's first world premiere production, a comedy about a new teacher who moves to Buffalo to teach French, only to find herself embroiled in scandal when she crosses the wrong student.  The production was devised, or company-created, over the course of six months, and the resulting script, crafted by playwright Adam Harrell, is as goofy as it is heartfelt.

The show runs for 8 performances, May 7-10 and 14-17 at 8 PM at The Bridge Theatre.  Purchase $18 tickets online or by phone at 212-868-4444.

Playwright Adam Harrell

We sat down with our playwright, Adam Harrell, to get his thoughts on creating the new comedy, hometown pride, and other sources of inspiration.

1. What has been your favorite part of creating Buffalo Heights?
The development process--there was always an air of excitement and collaboration, like we were kids playing house.  Everyone took full ownership of their roles, they were generous and listened intently to their scene partners, and made excellent choices.  Having the resources and talent for a production like this is quite an honor, and I was humbled on a daily basis by everyone's commitment.

2. Buffalo Heights embraces Buffalo, NY's hometown pride.  Where are you from and how to you show your local spirit?
I'm originally from Louisiana, which makes me a fan of the New Orleans Saints and soul food.  However, Buffalo Heights High is loosely based on my old high school in Centralia, WA, where I spent most of my teenage years.  Centralia had a little league baseball field, Wheeler Field, that sold these amazing things called "Wheeler Burgers" in the spring, and they were absolutely a hometown point of pride.  To this day, I can't pass one up!

3. We took inspiration from two existing plays, The Children's Hour and Rhinoceros, in the creating of our new piece, Buffalo Heights.  What are your favorite aspects of the two inspiration plays?
In Rhinoceros, I most enjoyed the absurd back-and-forth between the two leads, Jean and Berenger, which ended up being the inspiration for Jean and Fran's relationship in the play.

In The Children's Hour, I was impressed by how the play's themes of sexuality, politics and societal norms were still fresh and relevant for a play written in the 1930s.