Personality test: Artistic director Tracy Brigden
City Theatre artistic director Tracy Brigden says putting together a theater season is like planning a menu for a dinner party. She chooses the season offerings the same way she decides what to serve -- by checking out which ingredients are the freshest and best available.
Since becoming the theater's artistic director in 2001, Brigden has commissioned new works by prominent national playwrights including Jeffrey Hatcher and local creators such as Squonk Opera in 2001.
She also introduced the new play festival MOMENTUM, which has brought City Theatre audiences new plays at different stages by playwrights such as Lee Blessing and Steven Dietz.
Brigden has directed 19 productions at City Theatre, including the American premiere of "Mother Teresa is Dead" by Helen Edmundson, the world premiere of "The Missionary Position" by Keith Reddin and the world premiere of "Gompers" by Adam Rapp. Most recently, she directed David Wiltse's "Marriage Minuet" which closed May 25.
Before coming to Pittsburgh, Tracy was associate artistic director of Hartford Stage in Connecticut and as artistic associate and line producer for Manhattan Theatre Club in New York City.
She continues to venture beyond Pittsburgh to direct plays. This summer, she will return to Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut where she will direct another play by Wiltse, "Scramble" which opens there July 8.
The star who would play me in the movie version of my life and why:
Frances McDormand -- even though we look nothing alike, I love her smart and quirky take on every role
Choose one:
A. Andrew Lloyd Webber
B. Richard Rodgers
C. Stephen Sondheim
D. John Kander
Sondheim -- "Company" was the first musical I directed in college. One of its stars was David Schwimmer (yes, he can sing).
If the TV is on at 2 a.m., I'm watching:
Food Network or "Deadliest Catch" reruns
After a long day, I like to relax with a:
A. Martini
B. Cold beer
C. Cabernet
D. Herbal tea
Generally, Cabernet -- although some days require a martini (or two...)
My favorite sandwiches, plus fixings:
The toasted prosciutto and mozzarella at Cafe Reggio in Manhattan's West Village
The first play I saw:
"Peter Pan" -- somewhere in Connecticut.
Celebrity crush:
Anthony Bourdain
When I was 10, I wanted to be:
A painter.
If I had to give up theater I would:
Do something with food, wine, travel and dogs.
TV marathon you could watch all day and why:
An Alfred Hitchcock Film Marathon, because even though I've seen them all a million times, they always keep me on the edge of my seat.
Choose one:
A. Dogs
B. Cats
Dogs (see picture)
Opening nights are:
Like riding the Thunderbolt at Kennywood.
The most famous person I ever became friends with:
Sam Shepard and Tony Randall -- two ends of a spectrum
Chose one:
A. John
B. Paul
C. George
D. Ringo
John (duh)
The movie that always makes me cry:
"Manhattan" -- Sometimes I do miss New York
My most embarrassing junk food:
"Vanity Fair"
The last book I read:
"Lush Life" by Richard Price and "My Year In France" by Julia Child. Two very different worlds - but both riveting
Pick a Bond:
A. Sean Connery
B. Timothy Dalton
C. Pierce Brosnan
D. Daniel Craig
Sean Connery - (duh)
My favorite "bad" movie is:
"The Stepford Wives" -- "I thought you were my friend!"
If I could tour with any two bands, they would be:
The Rolling Stones -- for the stories; U2 -- for Bono
People would be surprised to know that I :
Believe in ghosts, knocking on wood and wishing on a star.
