Fringe First: The Riot Actors of Washington and Riding the Bull

Photo Credit: C. Stanley

Sorting out which of the dozens of Cap Fringe Fest shows to see can be a daunting task.  So, to help you decide which shows to see, here's one in a series of interviews with Fringe directors, actors, playwrights, and other artists.

Originally from Brockton, MA, Jason McCool is a DC-based, Helen Hayes Award-winning actor/musician/director, and producing artistic director of the Riot Actors of Washington. You can find out more about him at www.jasonmccool.com.  He's producing and acting in Riding the Bull at this year's Fringe Fest.

Is this your first Fringe Experience?
No, I was involved with a show called Two of Mee two years ago, an interesting smash-up of works by Charles Mee, assembled by director Patrick Torres. This project was also mounted by the Riot Actors of Washington, although I had very little to do with the show conceptually outside of acting in it.

What drew you to this piece?
I performed in a reading of Riding the Bull with the New Play House of Frederick, MD, about four years ago, and have been chomping at the bit to put up a fully staged production ever since. I remember the way the audience responded to the piece at that time; it's rare to come across a piece so hysterically entertaining yet at the same time deeply profound! Gus Schulenburg is a terrific young voice in American drama – he runs the Flux Theatre in NYC, and will be coming down for an after-show Q&A for our opening on July 10.

Tell us a little about the concept for the show.
Gus's storytelling is so captivating and compelling that it stands perfectly well on its own, however I remember after doing the reading having the insanely impractical wish to someday involve Curtis Eller ("NYC's angriest yodeling banjo player!") in this play. Curtis and I had worked together on the musical score for a production of The Grapes of Wrath at the Univ. of Rochester in 2001, and he's one of the most iconoclastic, fascinating perfomers I know of making music today. I attended many of his packed shows in NY, and this is the first time he'll be playing in front of a DC audience. His off-kilter, old-timey Americana music is a natural fit for Gus's writing and these characters, and I nearly jumped out of my chair when he agreed to do the show. Outside of including Curtis, I feel incredibly fortunate to have two wonderful local treasures on board: Kate Debelack (of Fat Pig at Studio Theatre) and our director Colin Hovde (artistic director of "The Artists' Bloc.") This is truly one of those heaven-sent creative collaborations, where all the pieces just seem to fit together serendipitously!

Why Should Fringe Patrons see your show?
The combination of Elvis, Jesus, miraculous cows, prophetic sex, and the mystery of faith might seem a recipe for disaster, but this is a tested play, and people really respond to it; it won the coveted "Audience Favorite Award" given by The Village Voice at the 2007 NYC Fringe Festival – the critical response for the original production was just through the roof, and we're so fortunate Gus has agreed to be involved with our show. The strength and experience of our creative team makes this project unique, and I think encouraging this sort of collaborative work is precisely what Fringe is all about!

What's next for you and/or for the company?
The Riot Actors of Washington were founded in the basement of the Brickskellar one night about five years ago; we had some success as an early company-in-residence at Busboys & Poets; however, all of the other members have either moved away or left the business. (So perhaps I should use the term Riot Actor?) I'd love to continue to produce work that audiences find relevant and compelling, and to work with talented people. RAW has its non-profit status fully in place, so I suppose I'd love to hear from people who are interested in collaborating, especially on work that asks questions.

Anything else to add?
This is one of those rare projects where artists pour their hearts and souls in; I hope we don't let you down!

Performances of Riding the Bull are as follows (All performances are at The Bodega @ The Trading Post; 1013 7th St. NW (around the corner from the Fringe office on New York Ave., next to Warehouse Theatre)

Friday July 10 @ 9:30pm (opening night post-performance Q&A with NYC-based playwright)
Saturday July 11 @ 1:45pm
Saturday July 18 @ 11am
Saturday July 25 @ 6:45pm

Fringe venues are small so purchase tickets now to avoid disappointment.