INTERVIEW: Tennis clashes with literature in new play ‘Men in Shorts’
Photo: Men in Shorts is the latest work from writer Raul Garza. Photo courtesy of Koffler Pictures / Provided by Alton PR with permission.
The new play Men in Shorts, written by Raul Garza and directed by Tyler Crosby, is largely influenced by the life and career of celebrated writer David Foster Wallace, perhaps best known for the works Infinite Jest, This Is Water and Consider the Lobster. There’s also some inspiration from the career of tennis player Roger Federer. The 80-minute play is billed as a make-believe true story that examines a man both blessed and cursed with a literary talent. Bringing to life the protagonist on stage is performer John Concado, whose character is obsessed with the game of tennis, hence the “men in shorts” title.
Men in Shorts, which is currently running through May 31 at New York City’s The Producers Club in Midtown Manhattan, is the latest work in an impressive career from Garza. As a playwright, he has written shows such as Fantasmaville, which won him the National Latino Playwriting Award; Running Bear; Confessions of a Mexpatriate; and My HEB.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Garza about his new play. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
How did David Foster Wallace’s life influence the creation of this play?
David Foster Wallace’s life created a literary scavenger hunt I could not resist interpreting as a play. He dominated the written word, but struggled to realize a life as satisfying or stable as his literary creations. For me, one of the most compelling aspects of his life was his struggle with the privilege and burden of fame.
How can talent — literary or otherwise — be both a blessing and a curse?
Talent is a blessing when it leads to fulfillment and opens the door to possibilities; a curse when it invites expectations; and a menace when it haunts your moment-to-moment existence. The iconic personalities who inspired Men in Shorts — David Foster Wallace and Roger Federer — exemplify to me the extreme human rewards and costs of almost-indescribable talent.
Do you like the game of tennis? What do you like about the sport?
I love the game of tennis — the cruel margins between genius and error, the intensity of points, the incessant inner-dialogue players flood our brains with, the incomparable joy of hitting the perfect shot, the feel of blazing sun or stinging wind, the laughter and after-rituals with your hitting partners and opponents. And from a spectator perspective, I am enthralled by the human drama and the supreme athleticism today’s masters of the court exhibit.
Was it always the intention to make this a solo piece? Did other characters / actors ever come into consideration?
I envisioned this piece as a solo piece to showcase the multiple characters who can occupy a creative writer’s headspace. Early versions did include a secondary character — a youthful musician hired for the main character’s literary publicity tour. But I quickly realized the musician, like every other personality mentioned in the play, came to life most fully as an expression of Dave’s reality — not a personification of ours.
What’s it like to work with director Tyler Crosby?
Tyler Crosby brings a deviser’s mind to Men in Shorts, which makes collaborating with him adventurous, unconventional and rewarding. He is a master of creating space for scene, character and honest realization. I appreciate his fearless approach to unearthing the truths submerged in the text, and feel simultaneously challenged and validated as a playwright.
What do you hope people are chatting about over coffee after experiencing the play?
I hope audiences’ after-show talks lead to what-ifs about their own moments of glory, and include questions about both David Foster Wallace and Roger Federer. I’m fascinated by the current cultural weight of celebrity and popularity, and hope audiences leave wondering about the long-term benefits or costs of cheering somebody else’s life from the sidelines.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Men in Shorts, written by Raul Garza, continues through May 31 at The Producers Club in Midtown Manhattan. Click here for more information and tickets.
