I am the WORST, guys. In scheduling all of these interviews, I unfortunately did not get to share this one from Matthew Hardy and Randy Klein's Flambé Dreams until now, after they've concluded their NYMF run. This sweet musical comedy tells the story of a man with big dreams of working in the food industry, following in the footsteps of his deceased father and winning the love of a beautiful girl. The show received some nice reviews during its run, and it was especially important to me to share this interview since this show has been development for some time and has even participated in the Finger Lakes Musical Festival's The PITCH. So, to share more about their show, Matthew and Randy answered the following questions about Flambé Dreams:
Me: How would you describe your show in one sentence?
Randy Klein: Flambé Dreams is a show that entertains audiences and makes them laugh!
Matthew Hardy: Flambé Dreams is a hilarious yet poignant new musical about a young man who dreams of becoming a great Maitre d' like his father who was killed in a freak flaming Bananas foster accident.
Me: How did you two begin collaborating together?
Matthew: Randy was recommended to me as a music director for a cabaret act called "Songs for the Dysfunctional" that I was developing. Randy liked my parody lyrics and suggested we write original material.Randy: We began collaborating when Matthew was performing his cabaret act and I was his accompanist. Matt was writing lyrics to other songs and I suggested he write his own songs. The cabaret act developed into Flambé Dreams.
Me: What is it about aspiring to be a maitre d’ that makes for a good musical?
Randy: The theme is that anyone can live their dream, no matter how silly it may seem to others. If you believe in yourself, your dream can come true.
Matthew: It's original! We've all seen musicals about characters with dreams of becoming great actors, singers, musicians etc. but have we seen a musical about making it in the food and beverage industry? Plus you get dancing waiters and flaming desserts!
Me: You guys were one of the first teams to present Flambé Dreams at The PITCH at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival. Since we just talked to Ed Sayles about the program, can you talk a little about the experience?
Matthew: We had a great time in Auburn. Theater Mack is a beautiful new theater/cabaret space and we were honored to be the first show to tread the boards. It was a great exercise for us to whittle the show down to a three person, 45-minute presentation that still captured the show’s heart and charm. The audiences were very appreciative and gave some excellent feedback.
Randy: The experience was wonderful. The folks at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival are great to work with. It is a super professional operation producing some wonderful musical theatre. Ed Sayles is a true supporter of the art form.
Me: What are you most looking forward to about NYMF?
Matthew: Watching six performances of Flambé Dreams and hearing the laughter from the NYMF audiences! I'm looking forward to the future opportunities that the exposure from NYMF can provide. I'm also excited to join a community of creative people who have come before us and see the shows of my fellow 2012 NYMF participants!
Randy: Hearing audiences laughing and applauding to our work. The show has been in development for 7 or 8 years and to see it in front of a live audience is a great reward. We look forward to moving it to the next level of production after NYMF.
Randy Klein: Flambé Dreams is a show that entertains audiences and makes them laugh!
Matthew Hardy: Flambé Dreams is a hilarious yet poignant new musical about a young man who dreams of becoming a great Maitre d' like his father who was killed in a freak flaming Bananas foster accident.
Me: How did you two begin collaborating together?
Matthew: Randy was recommended to me as a music director for a cabaret act called "Songs for the Dysfunctional" that I was developing. Randy liked my parody lyrics and suggested we write original material.Randy: We began collaborating when Matthew was performing his cabaret act and I was his accompanist. Matt was writing lyrics to other songs and I suggested he write his own songs. The cabaret act developed into Flambé Dreams.
Me: What is it about aspiring to be a maitre d’ that makes for a good musical?
Randy: The theme is that anyone can live their dream, no matter how silly it may seem to others. If you believe in yourself, your dream can come true.
Matthew: It's original! We've all seen musicals about characters with dreams of becoming great actors, singers, musicians etc. but have we seen a musical about making it in the food and beverage industry? Plus you get dancing waiters and flaming desserts!
Me: You guys were one of the first teams to present Flambé Dreams at The PITCH at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival. Since we just talked to Ed Sayles about the program, can you talk a little about the experience?
Matthew: We had a great time in Auburn. Theater Mack is a beautiful new theater/cabaret space and we were honored to be the first show to tread the boards. It was a great exercise for us to whittle the show down to a three person, 45-minute presentation that still captured the show’s heart and charm. The audiences were very appreciative and gave some excellent feedback.
Randy: The experience was wonderful. The folks at the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival are great to work with. It is a super professional operation producing some wonderful musical theatre. Ed Sayles is a true supporter of the art form.
Me: What are you most looking forward to about NYMF?
Matthew: Watching six performances of Flambé Dreams and hearing the laughter from the NYMF audiences! I'm looking forward to the future opportunities that the exposure from NYMF can provide. I'm also excited to join a community of creative people who have come before us and see the shows of my fellow 2012 NYMF participants!
Randy: Hearing audiences laughing and applauding to our work. The show has been in development for 7 or 8 years and to see it in front of a live audience is a great reward. We look forward to moving it to the next level of production after NYMF.
For more information on Flambé Dreams, check out the show's official website.
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