An experienced producer with Urban Aphordite, Brandi Burtts (The 39 Steps, The Last Five Years) has started a new company, The Underground. In their debut show, Awesta Zarif (Fight Club) and Sarah Wun star as Matt Damon and Ben Affleck – two struggling actors plugging away at a screen adaptation of Catcher in the Rye whose lives change for the better when the screenplay of Good Will Hunting mysteriously drops from their ceiling. Hijinks ensue in the 2002 Fringe Festival Audience award winner co-written by Mindy Kaling (The Office, The Mindy Project). Burtts gives us a preview.
You've produced plays for Urban Aphrodite in the past. Why did you decide to start The Underground and how will it differ from other Shanghai theater companies?
I loved working with UA and being part of that incredible team. I had always wanted to start my own company but was always quite scared to be on my own. I feel like I had learned so much working with UA and got to experience such amazing things. With everything I had learned I felt like the my own nerves were the reason I hadn't ventured off to fulfill one of my personal dreams. So I just took a leap and decided to go for it. Shanghai is such an amazing and open place, it felt like the right place at the right time. The Underground is still finding itself, but I am hoping we can become a company that brings eclectic, rarely produced, smaller productions to Shanghai.
Why did you choose Matt & Ben as your company's first show?
I actually heard about Matt & Ben from Amy Kersten who was here last year performing in The 39 Steps. Once I heard about the play it seemed like the perfect venture for a first production. It's witty, funny and the kind of smaller show I wanted to focus on. I loved the idea of two female actresses taking on the personas of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and I thought a comedy would be a great way to get people familiar with the company.
Being from New York, what impact did the original production of Matt & Ben have in the city's theater scene?
When Matt & Ben opened at the New York Fringe I was still in university, so I missed the buzz of the show at the time. But when I moved to the city in 2005 I felt the excitement of theater downtown. Doing shows at Under St Marks theater was a highlight for me back then. Dark, damp and dirty spaces, where we were trying to express ourselves the best way we knew how.
So even though I missed this show I still feel connected to the energy around it. Everyone is just trying to create their art, and some of us made really weird physical theater pieces, but shows like Matt & Ben are needed for the comedy. Since the first plays in ancient Greece, theater has always been a place of catharsis and I can't imagine audiences showing up for all the tragedies if you don't have the release of laughter as well.
Mindy Kaling co-wrote and starred in the show shortly after graduating from university. Does Matt & Ben capture her comedy sensibility?
It's funny but I have never jumped onto the Mindy Kaling bandwagon. I have had friends talk about how funny she is but I just never paid attention. Matt & Ben has completely made me a fan. I'm on youtube all the time now watching videos of her and she always makes me laugh out loud. You can really see her in the Matt & Ben text - the witty banter is really natural for her and its over every page of the script.
What do Awesta and Sarah bring to their roles?
I can't brag about these two girls enough. I have had a talent crush on Awesta since she first auditioned for UA a few years ago. She is just such a fun person to work with and is always trying new things. We had travelled to the Edinburgh Fringe together when we did Starchild and I knew she would be perfect for the role. To be honest I had been talking about the show with people and telling them Awesta was the Ben part before I even asked Awesta. Finally when I talked to her she was like " wait you're giving me this part right?" and I was like "oh yeah, all of Shanghai knows but you".
Sarah and I have been friends for a couple years and she is naturally hysterical. I don't think I have ever had a conversation with her where I wasn't giggling like crazy. You can have one conversation with her and be in stitches. She's new to the Shanghai theater scene but I knew these two together would be magic. Awesta brings this aggressive, funny big brother type personality to Ben and Sarah brings a sweet but manipulative humor to Matt. The two have really created this strong dynamic that is similar to the real Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in just five weeks. They have natural chemistry and they get more invested each day.
Following the show, what are The Underground's plans?
When Matt & Ben closes I think I will sleep for a week. But I am already thinking of a spring show and have a few in mind. I would like to produce something a bit darker next time, maybe something with physical theater.
Is there anything you would like to add?
I feel so lucky to be in Shanghai and to be a part of this community. I don't know if I could be anywhere else in the world and receive this kind of support. I have gotten so much help and love from the UA family and from friends around Shanghai. The staff at Cambio Coffee have done so much for the Underground and given their time and energy in helping with the show. I am just constantly impressed with the people in this city and I feel really grateful for all the support.
Nov 23-26, 7pm (Wed-Thurs and Sun), 8pm (Fri-Sat), RMB150-180. The Market, see event listing.
Photos by Neo Malatji
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