An interview with Robert Dubac
Stand-up comic and actor Robert Dubac - who entertained Act II audiences last summer with his show, The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron? - brings his new hilarious one-man show Free Range Thinking to Act II Playhouse from July 18-Aug. 12, 2012. Act II interviewed Mr. Dubac prior to his re-arrival in Ambler.
What was the initial impulse for Free Range Thinking?
I got embarrassed by the dumbing down of America. I re-read 1984 about five years ago and was infuriated as to how philosophically accurate it has become. Our collective reasoning and critical thought has been high-jacked by distractions from the media and technology.
In The Male Intellect, you dissected male/female relationships. What is the main target of your satire for this new show?
Sex, race, religion, politics and the media. You know, the fun ones.
What's your take on the current presidential election?
Regrettably, we don't vote with our souls. Only our wallets. And this year our wallets are going to be empty. So are our souls by the way.
Are you a political person off-stage?
Usually, unless there's a gun to my head.
The show sounds like it has similar themes to "1984" and "Animal Farm." Was George Orwell a big influence growing up?
Not really. I didn't read Orwell until I was already grown up. And then when I read him, I realized I had grown up all wrong.
Who are some of your artistic and comic influences?
The intelligent ones. So that rules out reality TV.
What did you do before writing, performing and touring these one-man shows?
I was basically an actor. When I couldn't get a job acting I'd write. Or do stand-up. Then I realized, hell, why not put all three together?
When did you know you were funny?
When I ran away from home at fourteen. Boy, was that was a riot at my house.
Smart comedy. Comedy that makes you think as in, "Why didn't I think of that?" It's not that jokes aren't funny. But they're not organic. They are set up. Which is why it's called a set up and a punch line. They're set up out of nowhere and then hit you where you least expect it. They make you laugh but since it wasn't organic it's forgettable. I guess that's why I don't tell jokes. I can't remember any.
So many stand-up comic are also magicians. What is the connection?
It's a security blanket. If a joke bombs you can always quick do a trick. And when the trick fails, people laugh - so you've got them laughing again. But it's an endless cycle. You eventually have to ditch the tricks. Although, I do some in this show because it's organic to the story - i.e. trying to separate truth from illusion.
I read you studied under the legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner. What did you learn from him that you still apply to your work?
Being truthful under imaginary circumstances. Being organic under imaginary circumstances. And under no circumstances imagine you are infallible. Unless you're playing a character that's infallible. Then go for it.
