Minterview: Gary F. Bell

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Stray Dog Theatre's 11th season kicks off on October 9th with the return of the company's 2010 hit Evil Dead: The Musical.  "Tickets are going fast," says Stray Dog artistic director Gary F. Bell, "especially the coveted Splatter Zone."  I ran a few questions by Gary about the upcoming season and Stray Dog's commitment (to quote from the mission statement on the SDT web site) to "unleashing the art of theatre and community service on Saint Louis and the surrounding community."

Q: I had the pleasure of appearing in Stray Dog's first musical, My Fair Lady, back in 2006.  Since then musicals, both contemporary and traditional, have become more prominent at SDT, taking up half of the season since 2011.  What was behind that change?
A: The Stray Dog Theatre team always had a plan to one day offer musicals.  We knew early on that we would need to wait until finances were more stable in order to afford the costs inherent in producing these larger shows.  Stray Dog Theatre uses a "menu" approach in planning and producing a season.  We like to offer a wide variety of opportunities to please a wide variety of tastes.  Like a good restaurant - we hope that our season has a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy.

Q: Many theatre companies have some community outreach component to their work, but SDT seems to have been especially effective in that area over the years.  What are your plans in that area for the coming season?
A: We are very proud of our outreach endeavors at Stray Dog Theatre.  We have grown to offer 4 highly successful After School Programs and 8 flourishing Summer Camps for Saint Louis area children.  Stray Dog Theatre was built on the premise of "giving back" to the community- to share with others our successes and achievements.  Look for a new addition to the Stray Dog Theatre pack this year - Stray Pups.  Stray Pups will have even more opportunities for kids of all ages to appear onstage at Tower Grove Abbey in a fully produced show.  And, yes, it will be a musical!

Q: One of the things I've noticed acting with Stray Dog over the years is how well the company treats its actors.  How do you think your own background as a working actor in New York informed that?
A: Working in New York, I learned early on that you can get the most creativity out of your cast, designers, and crew by treating them with respect and kindness. Creativity can't grow in an atmosphere of fear.  I do have very high expectations for those who work with me - and I do demand a respect for the craft of theatre.  I feel a huge responsibility in accepting payment from our audiences - and I am so grateful for their support.  I honor the financial and emotional commitment our patrons offer to Stray Dog Theatre, therefore, Stray Dog Theatre has an obligation to produce the highest quality productions possible.   To do this - I need to rely on the creative abilities of all those who work with us at Stray Dog Theatre.  I do demand a lot - but I feel in the end it is all worth it!  I also like to treat others as I would like to be treated - an old saying that has a lot of resonance for me.

Stray Dog's 2013-2014 season consists of Evil Dead: The Musical October 9 - November 1, William Gibson's The Butterfingers Angel, Mary & Joseph, Herod The Nut, & The Slaughter Of 12 Hit Carols In A Pear Tree December 5 - 21, Douglas Carter Beane's satirical The Little Dog Laughed February 6 - 22, Cabaret (with limited "Signature Seating" at cabaret tables on the set in addition to regular seats) April 3 - 9, Terrence McNally's Love! Valour! Compassion! June 12 - 28, and Funny Girl July 24 - August 9.  Performances take place at Tower Grove Abbey, a century-old former German Evangelical church now owned by Stray Dog, at 2336 Tennessee in Tower Grove East.  For more information: straydogtheatre.org.

And the group's name (you had to be wondering...)?  According to the company web site, "Stray Dog Theatre derives its name from Brodyachaya Sobaka (Stray Dog) a legendary bohemian café frequented by the area’s most cutting edge artists.  Every evening during the early 1900s, diverse audiences gathered to enjoy an evening of eclectic entertainment as the café played host to an array of actors, directors, playwrights, artists and poets. In recognition of the café‘s legacy, SDT seeks to enhance the theatre experience for all by encouraging a collaborative approach."  Seems to be working.