Interview with Brian Lafontaine, director for God of Carnage
TC: Describe God of Carnage in 3 words or less.
BL: CIVILIZED CHAOS
TC: Welcome back! What shows have you been involved in at Theatre Charlotte recently?
BL: Most recently, I was the Assistant Director for The Play That Goes Wrong. My last appearance on the TC stage was as Oscar Madison in TC's production of The Odd Couple.
TC: We assume you are thrilled to be directing this show, so tell us about why you are excited and what you're most looking forward to.
BL: I'm really looking forward to directing God of Carnage this season. It's a fantastic show. 4 people. One location. No intermission. Flip the "On" switch and let the mayhem take off and see who's left standing by the end. I'm very familiar with the show. I was fortunate enough to see the original Tony Award Winning Broadway production when I was living in NY, and I had the great pleasure of being in a production in 2013. This show is a workout, and worth every moment.
TC: Is there a particular character, scene, or song that you are most excited to see come to life?
BL: All 4 characters are fantastic. Multi layered. Incredibly real and relatable. I can't wait to see all 4 of them come to life. It's a true ensemble production. Each actor has equal weight and responsibility in this show. There is definitely one moment in the play that I can't wait to see. I can't say what it is, because I don't want to spoil it.
TC: What should audiences know about this show?
BL: What happens when two sets of well-meaning, well-dressed, supposedly well-adjusted parents get together to “talk things out like adults”? Calm conversation? Or a slow-motion implosion? “God of Carnage” is a dark comedy that peels back the polished layers of grown-up behavior to reveal the hilarious chaos underneath.
TC: Anything else you’d like to share?
BL: I hope the actors interested in auditioning have had domestic comedy and combat training.
TC: Other than this one, what show are you most looking forward to in Season 98?
BL: Really looking forward to Murder on the Orient Express and The Flick. I got to see the original production of The Flick in Chicago and was blown away.