Masters of the Stage

Fresh off of the successful opening of Driving Miss Daisy starring Dana Ivey and Morgan Freeman, Director Ron Lagomarsino sat down with SDCF's Steve Kaplan in January of 1988 to discuss directing comedy for the stage. In this, the third installation in a series of three interviews devoted to the topic, the listener will notice similarities in the directorial philosophies of these comedic helmers. (Other series interviews include directors Gene Saks and Jerry Zaks - available on Masters of the Stage at a future date or by request from SDC Foundation). Mr. Lagomarsino discusses what he looks for from actors in casting a comedy, and the trust he must develop with them once the cast is formed. He speaks fondly on the experiences of directing Dana Ivey in Daisy and collaborating with Christopher Durang on Laughing Wild, both at Playwrights Horizons. He concludes by revealing how he so adroitly shifts his style to fit pieces like Hay Fever, Laughing Wild and Noises Off - by not pretending to have all the answers. Ultimately, this organic process may be what endears him to his casts.