The O-town Scene - Oneonta, NY
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/20734
Casual Chit Chat Each week, we have a casual conversation with a member of the community. This week, Theater Director Steve Dillon of The Oneonta Theatre Stage Players and Cassandra Miller chit chat, casually. 1.) Given the following options, who would you choose to be stuck in an elevator with and why: Pol Pot, Joseph Stalin or Jeffrey Dahmer? I’d have to go with Jeffrey Dahmer. When- ever you have the choice between a political dictator or a serial killer, you have to go with the serial killer. Unless Stalin had some Rus- sian vodka, then that’s another story. 2.) Do you think Ebenezer Scrooge was an evil guy? Not al all. He was misunderstood. Like a lot of people, he became jaded as he got older, and lost his way. But he came around in the end. 3.) Speaking of Ebenezer Scrooge, the theater company you and Patrick Lippincott recently started is putting on a comedic version of the Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol.” How did you decide which shows to produce for your inaugural season, and what other shows are scheduled? The inception of the Oneonta Theatre Stage Players came from Patrick’s mind after a conversation with Tom Cormier, one of the owners of the Oneonta Theatre. I don’t think I’d come up with such an ambitious project on my own. From 2007 to 2010 I acted in about 15 shows back-to-back, and was content to take a break. Then I got a call from Patrick to be involved in the creative process, and I thought it’d be fun. We picked six shows: After “A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol” is ”Always Patsy Cline,” the female version of “The Odd Couple,” “The Marvelous Wonderettes”and “Peter Pan” (the musical). Then we’ll close the season in October with a dream project of mine and Patrick’s _ staging the 1931 production of “Frankenstein.” 4.) What are your thoughts on the argument that there should be only one, really good, well-funded theater company for the area instead of several small, under-funded ones? I host “Art a la Carte” and “The Beat,” two arts and entertainment programs. I think it’s great that I can host these two shows because I have so much to talk about on each show. The more choices there are, the more often people won’t have to look elsewhere to be entertained. We have a vibrant arts and entertainment scene right here in the area, and there’s enough talent and demand to be entertained to sustain multiple companies. I wouldn’t want to live in an area where I could only hear one band. It’s great to have choices. 5.) You’re a local boy from Cooper- stown: Have you ever lived away from the area, and what has kept you here? I never strayed too far from home. After high school, I lived in Albany for a number of years. I moved to Florida for a short time, too. But I always struggled with being a small fish in a big town. I love the sense of commu- nity here. If I were in a bigger place, I don’t think I’d be abe to do what I’ve done here as far as being involved with arts and entertain- ment. 6.) What’s the best Christmas/Hannu- kah/Kwanzaa gift you’ve ever given? A membership to the jelly of the month club. That’s a gift that keeps on giving. 7.) What do you like the best about “the most wonderful time of the year”? The spiked egg nog and big-band Christ- mas music _ a winning combination that warms the soul. 8.) If you could see any artist from the history of music in a concert that includes a back-stage pass, who would it be? I’ve seen U2 a few times. If I could see them with a backstage pass, I would. I think Bono’s the kind of guy you’d want to toss back a few pints with. 9.) What are three of the most-played songs on your iPod? This is a hard question, because I have about 3,000 songs on my iPod. It’s like choos- ing a favorite child. But, narrowed it “Thunder I’ve down. Road” by Bruce Springsteen. It’s very cinematic. Nobody paints a picture with words like Springsteen, in my opinion. “Imagine” by John Lennon. It’s simple, but says a lot with its simplicity. “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guth- rie. It’s often misinterpreted. It’s not patriotic: it’s a protest song. 10.) What’s the best part about living in Oneonta? The sense of community, it’s a great place to raise kids, the talented people we’re fortunate enough to call neighbors, and you can’t for- get about the pizza. We’re the pizza capital of the world. Dec. 2, 2010 O-Town Scene 15