This Friday, September 16th at 6:00pm, conversations@efroymson presents its most Swayze-esque event ever — Pain Don’t Hurt: A Road House Experience.
Join your friends and community for the greatest Butler event in history: a live reading of the cinematic gem Road House. Butler’s MFA students will perform the roles for your amusement. Somewhere in the mess, we will have a discussion about what makes a good screenplay and a timeless film.
Also, free pizza.
Scripts will be provided. Please contact John Eckerd with questions. If no one shows up, John Eckerd will be forced to eat all the pizza and perform the script as a one-man show. Please don’t do that to John Eckerd.
Mastermind and host, John Eckerd, answered questions about Friday’s epic event.
- Wait. This is an MFA in creative writing program. Why present a live screenplay reading?
Firstly, because they’re fun. Secondly, part of being a writer (at least a writer of fiction) is an understanding of dramatic structure. Experiencing a fantastic screenplay, that’s a great way to gain access to that structure. Plus, it’s fun. Did I mention that already?
- So…. why Road House?
Road House is one of those strange movies. It’s a cult classic, but not one of the obvious ones – it’s not Monty Python’s Holy Grail, it’s not Rocky Horror. The movie is very funny, but also very brutal. It’s sexy, it’s weird. Honestly, there’s just nothing like it, and I think people respond to that.
- What are some other screenplays you were considering?
There was a short list of movies that fall into the category of beloved but not widely “respected.” The Fast and the Furious, for example. Road House was our first choice, though. There’s this great gangster movie I’d like to do as well: Sexy Beast, which is just fantastic.
- How long will the reading take? What happens after?
We’re guessing around two hours, but it should be a tight, fun evening. Afterward, I’d bet the farm on an informal cast party at everyone’s favorite nautically-named dive bar.
- How do you feel about your cast?
I think I mentioned this on the facebook post, but this cast is basically a dream. Kyler Moor is the charismatic everyman we deserve. The esteemed Maggie Sweeney is the enigmatic and wry female lead. Tristan Durst is going to ham it up as the bizarre villain Brad. The main cast is rounded out by Phil McNealy as the gruff, dangerous Wade Garrett, and Greg O’Neill is pulling a double shift as our narrator and Jimmy Reno, the karate henchman.
- Will there be any martial arts or bare-handed de-throating?
I would hate to give anything away!
- What else should attendees know?
There has never been a literary event like this, and probably never will be again.
6. Will there be any martial arts or bare-handed de-throating?
I would hate to give anything away!
7. What else should attendees know?
There has never been a literary event like this, and probably never will be again.