Acts and Answered: Gene Kato

 

Gene Kato is a very well known and well loved name in the Denver Theatre Community. He is a very talented artist, writer, director, and actor. He has earned a tremendous amount of respect from his colleges in the theatre community. Personally, I admire his willingness to take risks and his love for the art that he creates. The sad part is that Denver will be losing him very soon, he is moving back to Houston in January. You have one more chance to see him on stage in Denver - in Vintage Theatre Company's Kimberly Akimbo, opening this weekend.  Please enjoy todays Acts and Answered with Gene Kato.

Q. What is your favorite theatre to visit as a patron and why?
A. Honestly, I don’t have a local favorite.  I am a fan of any theatre that can put on a great show.  I’ve seen some of the smaller theatres put on shows that wowed me and I’ve seen the big guys equally put on shows that I’ve thought were stinkers - - -and vice versa.

Q.Tell me a little about your current show.
A. Kimberly Akimbo is a show that has an awful lot of heart in it.  What continues to amaze me about David Lindsay-Abaire is how he crafts these stories that are really terribly sad at their core – but then still manages to get some real belly laughs and humanity into the mix.  With the exception of Rabbit Hole this is probably his most serious piece – but audiences should walk out of the theatre feeling uplifted.  It’s really an amazing roller coaster ride.

Q. What makes a “good” show?, What makes a “bad” show?
A. A good show is one where the entire organization gets behind it and tells the story as effectively as they can.  A bad show happens when a theatre goes into “sellout” mode and does a show for all the wrong reasons…usually trying to satisfy a bottom line.  My experience is – you get out what you put in.  When the love of craft and art is not there – the show usually looks like it.

When the love of craft and art is not there – the show usually looks like it."

Gene Kato with Bernie Cardell and cast in Recent Tragic Events

Q. How long have you been in theatre and what got you started?
A.  I’ve been in the theatre for 25 years.  I flipped a coin.  Really . Heads – I was going into Agriculture.  Tales- Theatre.  The Eagle came up.
 

Q. How can we get more people excited about live, local theatre?
A. Produce the best possible show and get more people involved.  I always like to think of a theatre community as a web – it takes lots of people actively working to make it a success.  Once everyone understands that keeping theatre vibrant is everyone’s job – the success will follow.  Oh, and I would avoid small cast/same sex shows…not a good idea.

Q. What was the first show you have ever done?
A. The Zoo Story by Edward Albee.  I played Peter.  Once I got shoved around by Jerry a few times – I was hooked.

Q. What does the average theatre patron not know about live theatre?
A. 2 things.  It’s expensive and it takes a lot of work.  Most people wouldn’t agree to go to their jobs for 8 hours and get paid for 5.  The people who do this do it because they love it.  As you can tell by my response to the comments on 10 Pin Alley – I think many people (audience members) have a TV mentality when it comes to theatre and forget that it’s put on by the blood, sweat, and tears of the people involved. (Unless it one of those aforementioned “in it for the money shows”).

Judy Phelan-Hill as Kimberly In Kimberly Akimbo Photo credit: Ellen Nelson

The people who do this do it because they love it." 

Q. What have been your favorite roles?
A. Arnold in “The Boys Next Door”,  Melvin Thorpe in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”, Eugene in the entire “Brighton Beach” Trilogy, and Nick in “Over the River and Through the Woods”.

Q. Where can we see you next?
A. You won’t be able to.  Kimberly Akimbo is my last role in Denver.  I’m moving back to Houston in January.

Q. What is your favorite breakfast cereal? 
A. Lucky Charms, of course.