Greenroom Diaries

Jeffrey Cannata is playing ‘Adam’ in the world premiere comedy The Psychic by Sam Bobrick and directed by Susan Morgenstern – soon to be premeiring at the Falcon Theatre starting March 17, 2010!   He took a few minutes out of his busy rehearsal schedule to sit down and chat a bit – let’s see what he has to say!

For more info about Jeffrey Cannata, check out his website here.

Jeffrey Cannata

Falcon: What was your first experience with the theater?

JC: The very first play I ever did was during my senior year of high school.  Most of my friends were in drama club, and the previous year I noticed that while they were all in play rehearsals I didn’t have anyone to hang out with after school.  I decided I’d audition for the next play, just so I could be there with all of my friends during performances.  The play was Inherit the Wind, and I hoped to get a small role that showed up toward the end – the ‘radio announcer’.  Much to my surprise, I was actually cast in the lead role of ‘Drummond’, and quickly fell in love with being on stage.  From that moment on, I was hooked.

Falcon: What is your favorite part about the character you play in “The Psychic”?

JC: I love the fact that Adam gets to stand at the center of the storm.  The play takes place in Adam’s apartment, and I have the joy of seeing each of the other wonderful characters walk through the door and spin the play in a new, hilarious direction.  I have been so overwhelmed by the level of talent involved in this show; it is such great fun to see these fantastic comedic performances come to life.  Each scene is so different, because each actor does such amazing, different things.  I just try to hang on for the ride!

Falcon: What is it like to originate a role in a world premiere play such as “The Psychic”?

JC: This is the first time I’ve ever been involved in a world premiere, and it is extremely exciting.  To see the play take shape, and to be present as Mr. Bobrick continues to refine moments based on what he sees us do… it is a bit daunting, but a total creative thrill.

Falcon: “The Psychic” is a “murder mystery of sorts.”  What is your favorite mystery novel, play or movie?

JC: One of my favorite mystery movies is the 1985 film, Clue.  I loved the marriage of comedy and whodunnit.  Much like The Psychic, it lampoons the genre while also providing a genuine, well-crafted mystery to unravel.

Flalcon: What is the funniest thing that has happened during a rehearsal?

JC: I’m not sure I’ve ever been a part of a rehearsal process in which we laughed more than The Psychic.  This is a very funny cast – and I often have a hard time not breaking up on stage just seeing what they are doing.  But that is only half of it.  The jokes and stories shared during the rehearsal process have been a show in and of themselves.  Richard and Phil, particularly, have worked on so many incredible projects, with so many amazing people – I could just sit and listen to them tell stories for hours – and honestly, there have been some days where we have!  I look up to those guys quite a bit, but while I’m looking up they tend to be poking me in the gut, making me laugh.  It is a treat to come to work every day.

Falcon: Why should people come see you in “The Psychic”?

JC: The Psychic is great fun.  I love being in a show that is so easy to recommend.  Yes, there are times when it is interesting to do plays that challenge the audience, or deal with heavy emotion – I love doing the classics, for example.  But then you get a chance to do something as genuinely funny as The Psychic and you realize it is such a blast to just sit in a theater with a group of people and laugh!  The Psychic is so smart and funny, so well-written, and so full of fun characters that I can invite everyone from my 15 year-old cousin to my 93-year old grandfather and know they will have a great time.

Falcon: Why do you think theater in general is important for Los Angeles audiences?

JC: We are so inundated in LA with the movie and TV industry it can be easy to forget what is so special about live theater.  There is something incredibly immediate and magical about being in the room with a group of actors, going through an experience with them.  It is absolutely true that the theater is a communal experience – a real two-way street between the audience and the actors on stage.  It is participatory, sitting there in the theater, in a way movies can never be – and that makes it incredibly exciting.

Short Biography:

Jeffrey Cannata (Adam) is pleased to be making his first appearance at the Falcon.  Other stage credits include All My Sons (TheatreWorks), Cymbeline, Henry IV pt 1, Shenandoah (Texas Shakespeare Festival) Romeo & Juliet (Nevada Shakespeare Festival), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Eclectic Company), Boy’s Life (Next Stage), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum).  He is perhaps best known as the co-creator and host of The Totally Rad Show on Revision3.  Other TV includes Bold & the Beautiful, Reviews on the Run, Just for Kicks, All My Children, and General Hospital.