Factory Edge Theatre Works—whose debut production, The Rocky Horror Show, ran at the Mobtown Theatre from October 23 to November 9—will be holding its 1st Annual Fundraiser on Tuesday, November 17, at Miss Irene's in Fells Point (1738 Thames Street; 410-558-0033). The event will begin at 6:30 PM. There will be music, sketch and improv comedy, and magic, as well as a silent auction and a raffle.
Below is a brief interview conducted by Brent Englar with Benjamin Greene, president of the board and a founding member of Factory Edge Theatre Works, as well as the owner of Miss Irene’s and the Waterfront Hotel, also in Fells Point.
Question: How did Factory Edge begin?
BG: After having such a great time with Mobtown's production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch many years ago [the production was named “Best of Stage, 2004,” by City Paper], my love of musicals was rekindled. Earlier this summer, I bought a used copy of Repo! The Genetic Opera [a 2008 film/rock opera about a futuristic organ transplant company that “repossesses” organs from patients who miss their payments]. During a particularly slow day, I put it on the TV. Within minutes I stopped all manner of work and starting thinking about how to stage it, block it, build the set, how much it would cost. Imagine my disappointment when I could not get the rights for it. However, having circulated as many copies of the DVD as I could buy amongst my musician and actor friends, the idea of a company that does dark, cutting-edge musicals had infected so many of us that with a slim time line, a miniscule budget, and only three weeks of dark space to work with, we went ahead with Rocky as it fit the paradigm. We wanted to keep the energy rolling and just go for it.
Question: How do you see the company developing over time?
BG: We see the company renting space for the upcoming 2010 season, but our short-term goal is to obtain, develop, and maintain a space of our own by summer 2011.
Question: On Factory Edge’s Facebook site, you write that you're “dedicated to bringing the most different and cutting edge Musical Theatre to life.” What exactly does “different and cutting edge” mean in the context of your first show, your first season, and future seasons? Do you plan to produce or create new musical theatre, or will you mostly focus on reviving older shows?
BG: The season we are looking at now—if we can secure the rights—would be Rocky again (and forevermore every Halloween), Reefer Madness in spring … there is talk of Tommy, Little Shop, etc. In the next few seasons, we are considering everything that has been done recently in Baltimore—from Hedwig to Sweeney Todd—as they are immensely popular and could garner a break-even (as most local theaters never see) if left to a longer run. We are building on some homegrown ideas, including writing our own musicals based on common experiences—be it online dating or, indeed, “putting on a musical.” We will obviously revive what we like with our own spin, but there is so much out there to do that fits our ideas. You will never see Factory Edge do The King and I, Sound of Music, Seven Brides ... no kids theater.
