Hear from cast member Tricia Alexandro as she prepares for the opening of Triptych by John Yearley!
On grief, growth, storytelling, and so much more…
What was your reaction the first time you read Triptych?
TA: I loved that the play dealt with grief in an unconventional way – that the roles were flipped as far as what we associate with the way a mother grieves. The dialogue made an instant impression because it’s funny and authentic, but also heightened. [Playwright John Yearley] has an incredible gift for creating endearing, hilarious, and messy characters who are just not holding it together during hard times. They’re not saying or doing the “right” things. I can’t describe how satisfying it is to read or to play these kinds of characters – especially in a world of trite IG sayings about growth and grief.
What has been the most enjoyable part of the rehearsal process? The biggest challenge?
TA: The most enjoyable part of the rehearsal process has been being in a room with old friends. I’ve known Eric Paeper and Mike Giese for over 15 years and John Yearley for a decade, so there’s a built-in trust, an easy humor between us, and a sense of play that can take a long time to get to when working with strangers. I’m so happy when I’m in that room.
The biggest challenge for me is always the negative voice that pops up in my head, especially early on in the process, that tells me I’m not good enough, or what I’m doing is stupid/not funny/embarrassing. I’ve learned how to work with that part of myself the older and more experienced I’ve gotten, but it still loves to come to the party to try to convince me to be quiet and small and go hide so I can be safe.
In what ways do you feel the greatest connection or similarity to your character? The greatest difference between you?
TA: I feel the greatest connection with my character, Blanche, through her humor and her grief. I grew up in Queens, and Blanche is from Long Island. There’s a sarcasm, and an unwillingness to be flowery or sentimental that’s prevalent in Queens and Long Island. The humor is straight to the point and there’s never not a time when humor is appropriate. Everything, every situation is worthy of a joke.
As far as the grief is concerned, my oldest brother Richie died this year, so I’ve been on my own unique journey with processing his death and making sense of the world without him in it. I feel like Blanche and I are sort of accompanying each other on this walk.
The greatest difference between me and Blanche is that I’ve done a ton of therapy and talk about my feelings A LOT now. I’m also really deliberate and thoughtful about my communication with others – whether it’s my boyfriend, my family, friends, or strangers. I experience Blanche as more blunt and kind of unrefined. But I totally love her for that. She says all the things we think on the inside, but maybe won’t say because we don’t want to hurt others or experience the resulting fallout.
What are you most proud of about this production?
TA: I’m most proud of the heart and soul of this production – the story we’re telling and how we’re telling it. The Barrow Group has been my artistic gymnasium for so many years. There’s nothing as gratifying as using the tools I’ve learned here, while working with bighearted friends who speak the same language and have the same values. Pure heaven. And I think conversations around grief and marriage (or love relationships) are critical – especially from an honest and compassionate and nuanced place.
What else would you like audiences to know about Triptych?
TA: It’s a beautiful piece, and I think there’s something for everyone in the show.
Come see Triptych, running November 8-24 at The Barrow Group Performing Arts Center!
One life-changing event. Two souls finding their way. Three bridges to cross.
A couple in the wake of a personal tragedy fight their way through grief in extraordinary, even wacky ways. Their unusual journey leads to the sweetest sort of personal discovery that great love has to offer. John Yearley gives us a glimpse at that redemption through a most unusual lens.
Performances will take place in the Studio Theater at The Barrow Group Performing Arts Center at 520 8th Avenue, 9th Floor.
November 8-24
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm
Sundays at 3:30pm and 7:30pm
Groups (8 or more): $25 (Contact ccirker@barrowgroup.org)
*The Saturday night November 16 performance will be a benefit performance. Tickets will be $100 and include a post-performance reception.*