The Director's Perspective (The Heidi Chronicles)

I'll never forget my first theatrical experience.  I was around five years old, and my mom took me to the Fisher Theatre to see "Fiddler on the Roof".  We sat on the main floor front row center.  As the good people of Anetevka left their homes, tears welled up in my eyes-at least that's what my mom says.  I do remember going home and playing the record over and over and over again.  Needless to say, my world has never been the same.

I like musicals.  A lot of my friends think that's pretty weird.  They can't understand how someone in the middle of a conversation can suddenly start to sing and dance.  They say it's not realistic.  But maybe that's why I like them.

Many people think actors are naturally outgoing.  I've found that, like myself,  many performers are more introverted.  Theatre, however,  gives us an opportunity to break out of shells.  It lets us become people who think, act, and behave in a totally foreign manner.  It lets us enter an unrealistic, but fun, world.  The struggle comes when we have to portray ourselves on stage.

Throughout the rehearsal process for "The Heidi Chronicles," almost all of the actors have come to me privately about a problem with their characters.  the problem was not that each one did not understand the individual character, but that each knew the character too well.  Each one has had to expose on stage an emotion or an insecurity that he or she preferred not to share with an audience full of strangers.  It's very scary, but it's also very exciting because nothing is more thrilling on stage then absolute honesty.

For a long time, I considered auditioning for the show.  As the director, however, I took the easy way out.  While they're on stage facing their own realities, I'm safe and secure somewhere in the back of the theatre.  Each of the actors you will see tonight has faced himself or herself and triumphed over insecurities.  I am so very proud of what they have accomplished and grateful with what they have shared with me.  I hope you'll appreciate it too.

Enjoy the show.

                                                                         Mark Nathanson   

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