How would you describe yourself to a total stranger? What do you do 9-5?

9-5: The past few years I've been leading somewhat of a double-life you could say (but what actor doesn't?" By day, I'm a substitute teacher at several local schools, from grade school to high school. That's how I've been able to make ends meet. To a stranger, I'd describe myself as an ambivert. There'll will be times when I'll pen myself in my room for weeks on end, reading, listening to music, and avoiding human contact. I suppose that's the painful duality of being an actor AND a writer. You suffer from agoraphobia and claustrophobia alike. Goodness, how dramatic I sound!


Have you always loved acting? Did you perform in high school and college?

I guess I enjoyed acting from the start, but it took a while to identify it as a vocation. In high school, I didn't try it 'til late in my junior year. I majored in acting in college, but with the original intent of changing majors as soon as I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. I guess, since I never got around to changing majors, acting must be my calling (alongside of writing, of course). Of course, my parents would always ask, "So, when are you going to change that major?"


Tell us about the actor who wasn't getting cast in the roles he wanted and how he founded Diamante Productions?

As an actor, I've spent the past few years out of college trying to break into the Chicago theatre scene. For the most part, I wasn't  being offered the roles I really wanted, largely because I wasn't even getting into the auditions I really wanted. Plus there are so many Chicago favorites, that if you're impatient like I am, you get tired of "paying your dues." Because I didn't want to wait for a break that may never come, I decided to make one for myself. It's nice having a little more control over my career, I have to say. And when you write a role for yourself, you can custom-mold the character and dialogue to fit your own temperament and background. It's kind of nice, really.


Where is home base for your new company? How many people are involved and what roles do they play to bring your work from paper to audience?

Our company doesn't yet have a permanent home, but we'd like one eventually.  For the time being, we're renting space at Theatre Building Chicago, in the Lakeview area. The key players right now are resident director Chris Arnold, who will be directing Diamante's first two shows: "Lease on Love" and "Cold Cold Feet." Also, our current stage manager, Tara Malpass, has been the glue that holds Chris and I together. Chris is able to connect with my writing so lucidly that he's even made several script suggestions that have had an enormous impact on the story. Luckily, he's able to translate the story's theme and intentions to the actors in much more cogent terms than I could, since he can objectify the story. I'm far too intimate with it to see the forest instead of the trees!


So now you've taken on the responsibility of producer. How demanding is that?

It's harder than anything I've ever done. Being the right-brained visionary that I am, I didn't have a lot of experience with company management or the likes. It's certainly taught me the rigors or organization. But most importantly, it's given me a new found appreciation of all the people hard at work behind the scenes, who don't get the eventual pay off of strutting their stuff on stage. It's no cake walk, but I'm learning as I go.



Tell us about your first show, a romantic comedy called "Lease on Love," which will open March 9. Who are the characters and why should we love them? What is the central plot without giving too much away?

I would describe "Lease on Love" as being a "When Harry Met Sally" for the stage.  It's a pretty balanced blend of comedy and drama. It tells the story of Tom Owen, a misogynistic bachelor, who's suddenly forced to share his apartment with a beautiful woman. After a short while, the unnerving living situation turns into somewhat of a battle of the sexes. In fact, the concept of gender-based differences is one of the main sources of the show's comedy. The major themes of the play are very simple, yet unmistakably familiar; the ups and downs of romance, the invulnerability of emotional attachment, and the agony of heartbreak. It's about the things that we just never seem to tire of watching; stupid people in love!


Is the play suitable for all ages?

I would say the play is PG-13, by FCC standards. There's no harsh profanity, nudity, or violence. However, most of the humor is intended for adults (the kind of humor characteristic of "Friends" or "Seinfeld."


Where will it be performed and how do we get a ticket?

"Lease on Love" opens Monday, March 13 at Theatre Building Chicago at 7 p.m. Regularly scheduled performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Call the Box Office at (773) 327-5252. Tickets are also available at all Ticketmaster locations. For additional information on the play, Theatre Building Chicago, and featured theatre companies performing at TBC, log onto TBC's website at www.theatrebuildingchicago.org


Have you begun dress rehearsals?

Rehearsals begin in one week, which is why I'm scrambling to finish the bulk of my producer work now. Once we get the play on its feet, I'm going to want to revert back to the creative Tony, and not have to worry too much about press releases and marketing and the likes.


Is the play shaping up to what you envisioned?

Though we've only done a table reading so far, the play is already sounding like more than what I expected. This is chiefly because I was lucky to get a brilliant director and very skilled actors. Everyone's bringing their own contribution to the table, which is so exciting to see. Plus, they make my writing look better!


How do you feel about the entire experience and your family's thoughts?

The entire experience has been a whirlwind of emotions. Being my first time producing, it's almost impossible not to develop a bit of a neurosis about it. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, but if anything's served me, it's one thing: One, my supportive family. They've encouraged me every step of the way, lend a hand whenever they could, and constantly fan the embers of my confidence.


What's next for the new producer?

After "Lease on Love," Ill be producing my second original play, "Cold Cold Feet," a new farce about a nervous bachelor who ditches the altar on the eve of his wedding. I've always loved farce, but dreaded the idea of writing one, until one day I was struck with the idea for this one. Being a farce, it'll be a little on the little side than "Lease on Love," which will be just what I need. After "Cold Cold Feet" closes, I'm taking a vacation. At least a week on a sunny beach with pretty girls and chilled pina coladas. I think I'll have earned it by then (or at least I hope!)

--interview conducted by Denise Fleischer
January 2006
copyright D. Fleischer