West Newsmagazine 9-26-18

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September 26, 2018
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
I OPINION I 3
RANDOM THOUGHTS
A Community Conversation
By SHEILA FRAYNE RHOADES
This week West Newsmagazine talks
with Steven Woolf, who has been the artistic
director of The Repertory Theatre of St.
Louis since 1986. “It’s not often you get
to live your dream, but I’ve been able to
do just that at The Rep,” said Woolf, who
is retiring following the completion of
the 2018-2019 season. During his tenure,
Woolf has directed 45 shows and conducted
a series of “theater talks.”
What do you usually do when you have
time off?
During the course of a season, there really
are few moments that allow for “time off.”
That’s the nature of our theater business and
that’s just fine. But, I do enjoy going to the
movies – first features on a Saturday morning.
I also like to read. I particularly enjoy
the works of Daniel Silva, Michael Connelly,
John Sandford, etc. And there’s no
question that I do watch the political shows
on television. Of course, I go to the theater
in whatever city I am in, if possible.
What movie can you watch over and
over without tiring of it?
The very first episode released of “Star
Wars” and “Hugo” directed by Martin
Scorsese. Star Wars was unique and exciting
on many levels. Remember that very
first shot, when the camera panned down
from the ship in space, was a big deal in
cinema history. Beyond that, the story was
like both a Western as well as science fiction.
Plus, the whole idea of the Force has
a kind of religious base to it that I found
unique in this kind of a film and certainly
was followed through the rest of the series.
There also was humor and some clever
comedy dialog and totally involving battle
scenes. As far as “Hugo” goes, it’s about
imagination and the magic of film and one
young boy’s discovery of a world of invention
and visual poetry. It is a moving piece
of cinema that is emotionally full and
has much to say about how we embrace
magical and fantastical worlds with a real
humanity to it. Plus, it has an adventure
and great characters in a railroad station
that are pretty thrilling.
When did you decide to do the work you
are doing now?
Probably when I was in high school.
I wanted to work in a major theatrical
institution in a big city. So I’ve been very
Steven Woolf
fortunate to be able to do what I do. I’m
living my dream – something not many
people get to do.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve
ever received?
Be kind to everyone you meet. In show
business, this is very important as it is a
complex and demanding world with lots
of very interesting and sometimes exotic
people. Taking care to respect and be kind
to the denizens of the unique world of the
theater just makes the hard work we are
doing be recognized.
If you could have dinner with three
people, living or dead, who would you
choose and why?
Madeleine Albright – because she has a
world vision that I like and she has seen
so much, just being able to break bread
with her would be fantastic. Ian McKellen
– he’d have great stories from his long and
storied theatrical career. What fun it would
be to hear from him. William Shakespeare
– there are so many question to be asked.
And if there was more room at the table,
I’d invite the Obamas.
What do you like most about the St.
Louis region?
It’s a city of intriguing neighborhoods
and cultures that most times mix well and
sometimes don’t. But that all provides a
rich landscape of stories that I’m not sure
really happen in other cities. There are
rich and amazing cultural opportunities to
explore. And the architecture in the city is
quite special. And, how can you go wrong
with the pancakes at Half and Half [in
Webster Groves and Clayton]?
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