Bernie Cardell
Bernie Cardell (Director)
The Roommate
JANUARY 13 — FEBRUARY 19
What excites you most about The Roommate and what are you hoping to capture in this story?
I love Jen Silverman’s writing. Her ability to create character, conflict and comedy is sublime and never manufactured. And then getting to put Mari and Christine into these roles with their amazing chemistry is a delicious treat. One of the major themes of this show is isolation vs connection and isn’t that exactly what we have been dealing with as a society for the last two years? I think it’s something everyone will be able to relate to. The need for human connection and intimacy in the face of fear and inertia is something I’ve certainly had to deal with in my life. I imagine others will be able to relate as well. So I’m exciting to tell a relatable story with real characters that is both darkly funny and quietly dramatic.
Give us a sense of what it’s like directing The Roommate. What’s your process like?
Normally, I would have a very set schedule as a director. We do this one night and this other thing the next night at rehearsal. With this play – because we only have two actors – the process has been much more fluid. I ask myself, “what does the show need tonight?” and then that’s pretty much what we do with consultation from my assistant director and the actors. It’s a nice, breathable rehearsal process where everyone who is willing to ask for what they need can get it.
What sort of challenges are you facing in directing this show?
Time is always a challenge with any show. With some shows you’re worried that not everything will be ready in time for opening night. That is not my concern here. I just want to rehearse for an additional month because we’re having such a good time uncovering and discovering. So, we’ll definitely be ready in time, but I’ll miss the creative wellspring these rehearsals have been.
Why do you choose to direct?
I’m a very lucky person because I have found something in my life – the theatre – that I deeply know I was meant to do. So when you find something like that, you don’t really choose….you’re compelled to do it. You have to do it. This kind of creative expression builds energy as opposed to my day job which requires energy….if that makes sense. But I guess I do choose to keep listening internally and keep coming back to the table. There are just too many stories out there to tell! And directing is a fascinating process. It’s like buying a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle on day one of rehearsals and on opening night (well, most of the time), you get to put the final pieces together. I love that. I’ve been acting and directing in Denver for twenty years now and every time feels just as exciting as the first.
What do you hope audiences will take away?
For the audience….a couple of things. I think any time you can see live theatre, and it can take you on a mini brain vacation is a good thing for the soul. It allows you to refresh and fill your well. Not that you don’t need your brain to see live theatre and think and feel about the show along the way. Rather, what you get a vacation from are the grocery lists, self-talk and general “life noise.” And any time you can do that, it’s a blessing. I think both of these characters Sharon and Robyn are very relatable in what they want and how high the stakes are for both of them. Any time we can relate to what’s happening on stage, it raises our level of empathy (this has been studied). And how can that be a bad thing? I think more “noise” vacation and more empathy is the perfect way to start the new year.
