Spotlight On...Rob Matsushita

Name: Rob Matsushita

Hometown: Montclair, NJ (but we're coming from Madison, Wisconsin)

Education: BA in Communication Arts from University Of Wisconsin--Madison

Favorite Credits: Superhero Boogie, 900, Chapel.

Why theater?: When I started (back in the 90's), it was much easier to get a play going than a film. Nowadays, what with digital, it's the opposite, so I do both, now.

Tell us about Boogie of the Apes?: Boogie Of The Apes is a fast-paced parody, recapping the first four “Planet Of The Apes” movies in less than an hour, with the help of children's read-along records from the 1970's.

What inspired you to create Boogie of the Apes?: This is actually a sequel to a show called Superhero Boogie, which was all about comic book characters, and used the same format, of lip-syncing children's records. “Planet Of The Apes” seemed the logical next step, because all of the movies put together made one crazy, epic story. These shows are just so much fun to do, and we're always finding laughs every time we rehearse. I wanted to do this same show back when I was about 10 years old, only then, I probably wouldn't have been ironic.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Normally, I'm a lot more of a realism guy--but when I was younger, it was all about absurdist humor. Now, I like to jump back and forth. Honestly, the Boogie plays are a blast to perform. If all I did from this point on were shows like this, that's a life worth having.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Edgar Wright. He seems to know how to have fun.

What show have you recommended to your friends?:At the first annual Frigid New York festival, it was a show by Jacob Richmond called Legoland. It was actually opposite one of my plays on its closing night, and I made one of my relatives go and see that show instead because I didn't think he'd get another chance if he didn't, and he'd already seen my show.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Freddy Wong, and it'd be called "Shut Up, We're Doing This."

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: "Chucky" movies and the "Final Destination" series. I will watch the hell out of every single one of them.

What’s the most played song on your iPod?: Currently, it's the theme song to "Snuff Box," by Matt Berry.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: ...PLAYING in theater.

What’s up next?: My first sci-fi show, called Civil. It's also my first courtroom drama. It's about how court cases are tried in an unspecified future.