Chit-Chat & Video: "The Last Barbecue" fires up again in Chicago area after nearly 10 years

Chicago hasn’t heard the last of playwright Brett Neveu’s “The Last Barbecue.” Neveu, formerly of Chicago, brings his show back to the area for a run at The Berwyn Cultural Center’s 16th Street Theater, nearly a decade since releasing it as his first full Chicago production. The remounted show will have most of the original cast members and the original director, 16th Street Artistic Director Ann Filmer.

Playwright Brett Neveu. SUBMITTED PHOTO
 

What is the plot of “The Last Barbecue,” and when did you write it?
The plot involves the intersection of a Midwestern townie-guy's ten-year high school reunion and an anniversary barbecue held in memory of the death of his parents’ next door neighbor. I wrote the play eleven years ago, and it was my first produced play. Its initial production was in Las Vegas, then in Chicago with Ann (Filmer) directing, then New York with 29th St. Rep. I feel very lucky that "The Last Barbecue" had such a wonderful response, cast and crew back ten years ago and hope that audiences connect with these same folks as it comes 'round the bend once more.

How did you develop your idea for “The Last Barbecue”?
The idea initially sprung from my own high school reunion and my own thoughts about leaving my hometown back in Iowa. The characters are a mix of folks I know and pieces and parts of myself, as per usual, plus stuff I wanted to see on stage, humor-wise. It was a bit of an experiment with silence also. I remember thinking at the time, "I just wanna watch people on stage, sitting alone. I want to see the play working itself out right on their faces."

What are some emotions or thoughts your audience will probably have watching this production?
I imagine they'll be able to relate to some of the family tension, relationship discomfort and humor in uncomfortable situations.

What do you enjoy about play writing, and how long have you been doing it?
I've been writing plays for over twenty years, and I mostly enjoy discovering how characters interact with each other and how they make choices based on those interactions. I also very much enjoy the rewriting process, especially when in rehearsal. I really love watching and discussing the content of a play and realizing things about my own work that I had either kept hidden from myself or hadn't thought about until one of my collaborators hits upon it.
 

SEE THE PLAY
WHAT “The Last Barbecue”
WHERE Berwyn Cultural Center, 6420 16th St., Berwyn; (708) 795-6704; www.16thstreettheater.org
WHEN July 9 through Aug. 8; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 5 and 8 p.m. Saturdays
HOW MUCH $16 for general admission, $12 for groups of eight or more
 

Don Blair of Chicago rehearses for the upcoming performance of "the Last Barbecue" at the Berwyn Cultural Center Tuesday June 23, 2009.  The performance will be held July 9th-August 8th. STAFF PHOTO BY ERICA BENSON