BWW Interviews: Diverse City Theater Company's Victor Lirio Talks TWO ROOMS, Lee Blessing & More

New York, July 10, 2012 – In its eight season, Diverse City Theater Company ("Race Music," "Noon Day Sun"), which was primarily formed to develop and produce thought-provoking productions, and to advocate for non-traditional casting of actors, presents Pulitzer Prize and Tony nominee Lee Blessing's ("A Walk in the Woods," "A Body of Water") 1990 political play, "Two Rooms," at Theatre Row's The Lion Theatre, located at 410 West 42nd Street, from Thursday, August 9 until Saturday, August 25.  Jamie Richards ("The Female Heart," "Stonewall Jackson's House") directs.

Victor Lirio, Diverse City Theater Company's artistic director, plays the ambitious journalist, Walker, in "Two Rooms," and shares the stage with Curran Connor (Michael, an American teacher held hostage in Beirut), Bree Michael Warner (Lainie, Michael's wife), and Dawn Evans (Ellen, a State Department official).

Lirio recently sat down for a Q&A interview, and BroadwayWorld.com got a hold of the full interview transcript.  Read the transcript below.

Q. Aside from performing in the play, you are also the Artistic Director of Diverse City Theater Company. What inspired you to select TWO ROOMS for this summer's production?

A. A vital part of Diverse City Theater Company's mandate is to explore socially relevant issues.  In light of current tensions between the West and Arab world, we are re-examining friction from the recent past and asking the question, 'how far have we progressed in the span of nearly 25 years?'  This play is powerful, compelling, and relevant.

Q. What is the theme of the play?

A. The play touches on nations and religious factions in conflict, the media's coverage, and the American government's involvement in the Middle East. 

But, to me, the theme of the play - on the human level - is about people who are forced to confront different perspectives.  We oftentimes have a myopic view of the world.  But, if we allow ourselves to see things through another person's perspective or imagine ourselves in someone else's difficult situation, we will find that we are capable of understanding and rising above conflicts and circumstances.  Truth is complicated.

Q. How and why might this play be controversial?

A. Because the play explores what it means to be an American at war on foreign soil.  And the complicated position America has undertaken as a "peacekeeper" of nations.

Q. How does the play relate to what is going on in the world today?

A. As I do this interview, there is a meeting between our Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in Geneva with leaders from Western and Arab nations as an 11th-hour effort to revive the stalled peace effort in Syria.  I believe it is relevant.

Q. What are the challenges inherent in playing the role of the reporter in this play?

A. The challenge is perhaps not playing the stereotype or an idea of the character as someone who is selfish, self-serving, and constantly on a mission to attack and publish.  Our job is to inject flesh and blood into these characters … to humanize them.

What is brilliant about Lee Blessing's characters, specifically the reporter, Walker, is his insatiable curiosity about the world and the global events affecting lives of the innocent.  He has an unshakeable belief that he must give a voice to the unheard.  He is an idealist who believes in holding people and establishments accountable for their actions. To him, American taxpayers have the right to question his government.  He is ambitious, indeed.  But he is also driven by a passion for telling the truth.  But, he learns along the way that it is challenging to report the truth.  And that truth is deeply complicated because there are many people and groups trying to manipulate the truth.

Q. Do you feel that the implications in the play about the government's policy and ability or more specifically, its lack of ability in some cases to get hostages back safely, are valid? How does this influence the way you relate to your character?

Oliver is about to earn his M.S. degree in public relations and corporate communication from New York University while serving as regional editor for BroadwayWorld.com. Over the past 18 years, Oliver has been handling public relations and corporate communication for numerous brands (including Pepsi), Broadway shows, Broadway stars, non-profit organizations, and mainstream celebrities. He also teaches public relations at De La Salle University-Manila. Follow Oliver on Twitter: @OliverOliveros

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