STAGE VIEWS: Dirt Star Christopher Domig On Peter Brook, Amadeus and Skylight | Playbill

News STAGE VIEWS: Dirt Star Christopher Domig On Peter Brook, Amadeus and Skylight Playbill.com's series features actors commenting on their recent theatregoing experiences, what productions they're looking forward to and more.

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Christopher Domig Photo by Janelle Domig

Here, via email, we hear from actor Christopher Domig, who is currently starring in Robert Schneider's one-man show Dirt through Oct. 12 at The 4th Street Theater (83 East 4th Street); click here for more information.

What show recently impressed you? 
Last night I saw Valley of Astonishment, directed by Peter Brook and his collaborator Marie-Hélène Estienne. I have been following their work for quite some time (and have read just about everything Brook has written), and I am always struck by the simple, honest and direct storytelling that occurs on stage in their productions. I know this is a long time in the making and that Mr. Brook wasn't always drawn to the simple childlike storytelling that now is so characteristic of his work. It reminds me of what Picasso is known to have said: “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child."

I believe Brook has been on a similar journey in his artistic process. Last night, the play ended with a musician playing a very simple melody on his flute, and then all the performers left the stage, and something occurred that I have rarely experienced. The audience sat in silence for over 30 seconds, and there was a collective longing for the moment to linger on. It felt like time had slowed down and given room to something else, and no one wanted to conjure regular civilian time back up. Eventually we did all clap, but I was proud to be part of an audience that was willing to sit and listen to whatever that something else was. 

What production are you most excited to see?
Scenes from A Marriage by Ingmar Bergman, directed by Ivo Van Hove at New York Theatre Workshop. Skylight by David Hare, with Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy.

What play/musical would you most like to revive on Broadway, and which role would you want to play?
I think the answer to this would be Mozart in Amadeus. Coincidentally, I was born and raised in Salzburg, Austria, and grew up playing piano. By no means was I a protégé, though; in fact, I rarely practiced, so my piano teacher in her desperation to help me engage with music taught me the boogie-woogie. I always say that the Blues saved my love for music. And I do love music now, all kinds of music, especially classical, and my appreciation only keeps growing. I think that bringing Amadeus back with actors who are also able to play classical instruments and putting the music front and centre in a production would be powerful. Now you set me dreaming again... What are your current/upcoming projects? 
Various opportunities floating around, but nothing concrete, except for our six-month-old daughter Annie Evelyn, who is rocking our world, and my wife Janelle, who is my hero, and a great community of friends in Brooklyn who remind me of what is important.

 
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