Mitchell Greco from A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD at Stages Houston

Brett Cullum: I’m speaking with Mitchell Greco, Associate Artistic Director at STAGES HOUSTON. He is directing A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, which will begin on May 24 and run until June 30. Everything I’ve read about this series says it’s just a two-person play. Is it correct?

Mitchell Greco: That’s right. This is a fairly new play by Samuel D. Hunter. For those of you who watched THE WHALE, the movie came out about two years ago starring Brendan Fraser. He wrote that. So he also wrote this. It’s a two-person show about two single dads living in Idaho. And they want to improve their lives and that of their families. One is gay, the other straight. The gay father is trying to adopt a 2-year-old child he takes in, and the heterosexual father is going through a divorce. It’s a play about fatherhood, friendship and hope.

Brett Cullum: I read somewhere that it’s very much about empathy and that the author considers this part of a cycle about empathy, and he includes THE WHALE as an integral part of it.

Mitchell Greco: Oh, absolutely yes; I don’t know how you can experience Samuel’s work as A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD and not be empathetic. The play opens your heart and is such a cathartic experience as you see both sides of both characters and it is a totally moving experience.

Brett Cullum: What made you want to make this one? What spoke to you and said, “Hey, I’m going to do this play?” »

Mitchell Greco: I have long appreciated the work of Samuel D. Hunter and am a fan of it. We never produced it at STAGES. So this is. This is the first time he’s on our stage. I think that’s what made me jump up and say, “I want to do that!” it’s very different from anything I’ve worked on.

And it’s also deeply human in a way that I think audiences and I as an artist need right now. It’s totally empathetic. I think that’s such an incredible word to describe this work. But it’s fully human, and it excited me to work on this two-person play where they never leave the stage. There are no moving sets. They don’t change costumes. It’s just two people in a room talking for a few months. And this challenge is exciting and truly rewarding.

Brett Cullum: And I think STAGES lends itself to that kind of intimate two-person discourse, whereas if you have something at TUTS or THE ALLEY, the space is so much bigger, and that’s just not the case. You have to put everyone on the mic and do all these crazy things. But the STEPS…I feel like you walk in there, and they’re right in front of you.

Mitchell Greco: Absolutely. Yeah. I mean, privacy, as you may know, is one of our core values ​​at STAGES. And I think intimate is a perfect way to describe this piece. These two men reveal themselves to each other and to the public in a very intimate way. And this is amplified on our stage, in our spaces.

Brett Cullum: Who are your actors for this one?

Mitchell Greco: Adam Gibbs. He’s a local Houston actor. If you’ve ever been to the theater, I don’t know, for thirteen or fourteen years. You’ve probably seen Adam and a show here and there and everywhere. He went to ALLEY. He was at TUTS. Of course, he has also participated in STAGES before. An incredible, credible actor and a wonderful human.

The other actor is Bradley Atuba. He’s an actor from Dallas. He is also a gem and a very talented actor. And they make up the cast.

Brett Cullum: Well, I can’t wait to see that. I see you as a big, bubbly, musical guy. You made LITTLE SHOP and XANADU, and it’s something unique. I’m so happy to see you taking this on.

A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD takes place at STAGES HOUSTON until June 30. STAGES has its own covered parking lot which costs $15 to use. Drinks and refreshments are available as are several restaurants within walking distance.

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