Actors 'Coax' audiences

UNM alumni will be performing in The Tricklock Company's most recent production, "Coax," a collection of unpublished works by renowned filmmaker Neil Labute.

Labute, who will be attending the show's opening gala and answering the audience's questions in a Q&A session, is behind movies like "In the Company of Men," "Your Friends and Neighbors," "Nurse Betty," "Possession" and "The Shape of Things."

Many aspects of the show have been kept on the down low. In an interview director Summer Olssen told the Daily Lobo what makes this show so enigmatic.

Daily Lobo: This production is being kept extremely low-key, especially to members of the press. Why?

Summer Olssen: I wouldn't say low-key - we're definitely hyping the show and the surrounding events quite a bit. It's incredibly exciting to be doing unpublished new work and it's also fantastic to be having the playwright coming down to see it.

I would say we are being intriguing. Neil Labute's work is typically full of twists and surprises and these pieces are in keeping with that. The audience is in for a ride and we don't want to give anything away. No one wants to be told the ending when they've just started the book.

DL: What can you tell me about "Coax" that won't spoil any of the surprises awaiting audience members?

SO: All the pieces are very personal. That is, they take very real private moments and lay them out on the table for you to look at. There are so many things we don't talk about in public, and so many things people do all the time that we never see.

In "Coax" we see these things. Also, the characters are extremely realistic. They will be easy to identify with on many levels, but some audience members may become uncomfortable because it doesn't stop at the easy line.

It may be difficult for some people to accept the disappearance of a clean cut between good and bad. However, all the pieces are exciting because of this realism - the feeling of looking in on secrets you're not supposed to see.

DL: What is the significance of the title?

SO: The definition of the word is to influence or gently urge by caressing or flattering, or to manipulate with considerable effort toward a desired state or activity. This is applicable to the way people behave toward each other all the time - what most of our actions are based on.

DL: What can you say about Neil Labute and his works?

SO: More than you have room to print. Labute graduated from Brigham Young with a degree in theater. He studied at the University of Kansas and New York University. He won the Filmakers Trophy in 1997 at Sundance Film Festival for "In The Company of Men," which also went on to win several other awards and nominations, including the New York Film Critics Circle award for the year's Best First Film.

His writing is unafraid and very honest. For me there's almost a bit of the surreal in it because he is so good at looking at people beneath their facades.

DL: Were you able to work one-on-one with Labute?

SO: Not in person, yet. This whole project came about after a series of fortunate incidents and we began speaking on e-mail, and then by phone. So, developing the idea for the evening, discussing the pieces - I asked him for help or ideas on several points.

DL: What was it like working with a writer of his standing?

SO: Really cool. Labute has been on my A-list for years. I was amazed the first time he e-mailed me and I acted like a big nerd I think, but he has been very gracious all along and very helpful.

I was surprised and excited when he offered some unpublished things he had. We've been in touch all through the rehearsal process, refining lines in the script and he kept checking in to make sure everything is going well.

DL: Who are the actors in the production and what are their credentials?

CO: "Coax" features Tricklock Company members Chad Brummett, Juli Ethridge, Byron Laurie and a special guest Rhiannon L. Nix. All very accomplished actors and, I believe, all graduates of UNM.

DL: What were the major challenges you faced during the production?

SO: Some of the things I referred to earlier, that the audience members will have to overcome as well, like understanding and embracing the complexities of people.

The actors had many traits of their characters that were easy to slip into, actions that were easy to understand. Then, with the same character, traits or actions that seemed totally bizarre.

DL: What can the audience expect?

SO: The audience can expect to be thrilled, tickled and perhaps a little embarrassed. We are saying the show is not suitable for persons under seventeen. This is because you will be asked to use your imagination in a way that is not suitable for children.

The gala opening of "Coax" will be at the Tricklock Performance Space, 118 Washington Blvd. The show runs through Sept. 21. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m.

Saturday at 2 p.m. Neil Labute will be lecturing, signing books and scripts and doing a Q&A at Madstone Saturday at 2 p.m. For tickets to the Madstone event call 872-9712