INTERVIEW: Gabe Fazio on growing as an actor in ‘God of Carnage’
Photo: God of Carnage stars, from left, Gabe Fazio, Christiane Noll and David Burtka. Photo courtesy of Carol Rosegg / Provided by JT PR with permission.
Yasmina Reza’s acclaimed God of Carnage, which played Broadway and was adapted into a movie, has returned to New York City in a new production directed by Nicholas Viselli. Theater Breaking Through Barriers, of which Viselli serves as artistic director, presents the off-Broadway premiere of this beloved show, which runs through Saturday, May 20 at Theatre Row in Midtown Manhattan.
The cast consists of David Burtka, Carey Cox, Gabe Fazio and Christiane Noll. The play follows two married couples who meet to talk about a violent incident involving their children. What transpires is both comedic and telling — and eventually turns violent, much like the encounter with the children.
Fazio is an accomplished actor who has appeared in everything from Tennessee Williams’ Spring Storm to Israel Horovitz’s Sins of the Mother. He is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio, where he has appeared in Lyle Kessler’s First Born and The Cherry Orchard with Ellen Burstyn, according to his official biography. Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Fazio to talk about God of Carnage. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
Were you familiar with God of Carnage before this production?
While I was not familiar with the play, I do remember seeing the billboards and posters for it outside the theatre in NYC, when it was up and running; however, I did not see it.
What do you like about this intimate play?
What I like about this play is its straightforwardness and that it plays out in real time.
Do you feel that what the show has to say about relationships, civility turned into violence, parenting, etc. still needs to be discussed today?
I am still discovering what the show is trying to say every time we play it, and what I discover personally on any given day/evening consistently gives me pause because the discoveries always have to do with my own family dilemmas having grown up in the suburbs of Long Island.
My takeaway stems from children learning how to problem solve with each other, and violence between children is natural in my opinion. But seeing how the parents interact with each other can be very telling, in regards to what actually could have happened on the playground. As Michael, I wonder if Benjamin (the other couple’s son) is a bully as they often refer to him as a “savage” and that he used a bamboo rod to smash Henry. I wish the play allowed for more exploration with the parents trying to figure out what actually happened on that playground, but Yasmina had other plans!
Theater Breaking Through Barriers promotes accessibility for all of its performances. What’s it like working with this well-respected company?
I have a deep respect for what TBTB is doing, giving talented professional actors, who would otherwise not be considered for certain roles, a chance to play them. I have had the great fortune to work with director Nick Viselli and actors David Burtka, Christiane Noll and Carey Cox, which has been such a fruitful experience, and I feel I have grown considerably as an actor. I am extremely grateful to have been cast in this production.
How much has The Actors Studio taught you about the craft of acting?
The Actors Studio … traditionally is not a school, but more of a gymnasium. Working out on that stage at TAS in the presence of legends in our field has been, and continues to be, imperative in the development of my craft as an actor. It was a colossal achievement becoming a member of The Actors Studio.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
God of Carnage, produced by Theater Breaking Through Barriers and starring Gabe Fazio, continues through Saturday, May 20 at Theatre Row in Midtown Manhattan. Click here for more information and tickets.
