Seattle Gay News
Issue 47, Volume 42 November 21, 2014
by Eric Andrews-Katz SGN A&E Writer A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL 5TH AVENUE THEATRE November 25 - December 30
Mark Kitaoka
Brandon Ivie has worked on the stage in both Seattle and New York’s Broadway, but you’ll probably not recognize his face. He is a director. He’s the person that makes sure everything gets carefully put into place so that the audience can understand and follow the production on stage. It’s not necessarily an easy task. Back in Seattle for the 5th Avenue’s production of A Christmas Story, The Musical, the Seattle Gay News caught up with Brandon Ivie – director.
Mark Kitaoka
Mark Jeffrey James Weber from A Christmas Story, The Musical
(Clockwise from left) Jessica Skerritt, Dane Stokinger, Mark Jeffrey James Weber, and Brandon Oke in A Christmas Story, The Musical
Eric Andrews-Katz: Who were your earliest creative influences? Brandon Ivie: The first person that I can remember having an actual effect on me creatively was Brian Yorkey (Next To Normal). I met him when I was 15 out of Village Theatre. He actually cast me in my first professional show that he was directing, a debut musical. That was my first introduction of working on a new musical. I was very excited about it and Brian sort of took me under his wing and taught me how to read scripts and do work for him in the new musical program out in Village Theatre. Andrews-Katz: You’ve said that your “theatrical heroes” include: Harold Prince, Bob Fosse and Graciela Daniele. What is it about each of them that inspires you? Ivie: They exclusively work on new musicals, which is inspiring. Most of my favorite musicals have been directed/choreographed by them. HAROLD PRINCE: No one in history has a bigger impact on directing musical theatre. The sheer number of big musicals he has worked on is amazing. He has such an impact on the form. BOB FOSSE: I love [his work] because he has such a unique voice in his staging and choreography. I love the fact that when you watch Bob Fosse you know it’s his work you’re seeing. GRACIELA DANIELE: She’s created so many shows. She directs and choreographs and I think she is one of the unsung directors since she has never won a Tony Award to this day. She’s been nominated a lot, but never has won. It’s flabbergasting. She has connections working with [Stephen] Flaherty and [Lynn] Ahrens and [Michael John] LaChiusa. Andrews-Katz: How did your first conceive the idea of becoming a director? Ivie: I was always the kid that did Summer Stock Theater in middle school. I was 12 or 13. I was the kid that came to every rehearsal even if I wasn’t called. I’d sit and see Christmas page 9