Actor, Writer, and Comedian Robert Dubac is ‘right where he wants to be’

Executive Director of PhillyGayCalendar


Celebrated actor, writer, and wit Robert Dubac will bring two of his shows to the Bucks County Playhouse this November, “The Book of Moron,” and “The Male Intellect: an Oxymoron?”.

 

I had the opportunity to talk to Robert Dubac about his two plays, being a comedian, his acting, and his career.

 

“The dynamics of theatre today dictate that it costs about the same to present two plays as one, so I’m combining art and commerce by doing two plays in New Hope. The problem with one-person shows is that audiences often disregard them, for whatever reason.  There is a stigma attached to the genre.” And why is that? “I believe that if people aren’t laughing, it’s a lecture, and no one enjoys being lectured to while sitting in a theatre. I present my shows as a character speaking the part, and I assume the character’s role. As an actor, I become the character who speaks the lines.”

 

So how would actor and author Robert Dubac explain his plays? “’The Male Intellect’ was once described as ‘Lily Tomlin meets Mark Twain.’ That might make a great t-shirt to sell in the lobby. Seriously, the premise is one person telling a universal story. A man seeks advice on relationships with the women in his life. The man, meanwhile, is drunk on beer for most of the story. Anyone can identify with the theme of the foundational fallacy of how men receive wisdom from other men. Often, men receive advice from older brothers, coaches, or their fathers, which is outdated or off-the-mark. This advice is incomplete and often sexist. This fact is dealt with in the show through comedy.” How would you explain the plot of “The Book of Moron?” What does it say to viewers? “’The Book of Moron’ has nothing to do with the famous play, except as a pun. It does deal with our constant battle with ignorance and stupidity. It cuts through the chaff. It is delivered through an Everyman character with five voices: ‘The Voice of Reason;’ The Voice of Common Sense;’ ‘The Inner Child;’ and so on. Reality and illusion are blended into one by the media.  It’s completely fabricated for us. The show addresses this world.”

 

Both titles appear to trash men. When asked about his choice of titles, Mr. Dubac appeared to be surprised. “I’ve never been asked that question before. Men are easy targets, I feel. If I made jokes about women, I might be ticketed! Seriously, what I write about and perform in character are things I’ve heard and experienced. Women do buy the tickets, after all, and then drag their men along. Men buy tickets to sporting events. Women are the ones who support theatre. If anything, the shows lean to the liberal, Progressive side of things. I am a stand-up comedian, so I see the funny, ironic side of things.”

 

Robert Dubac studied acting with Sanford Meisner. He’s appeared on television as an actor, but found that he had a knack for stand-up comedy. He cites Lily Tomlin, Gary Shandling, and Eric Bogosian as people he admires professionally. He also spoke about his great affection for Blake Edwards.

 

“Many people think of Blake Edwards only as a director of the ‘Pink Panther’ films, but he did so much more. ‘The Days of Wine and Roses,’ for example, is a great film he directed. Show business tends to disregard those of us over a certain age. His producers once wanted to produce ‘Male Intellect,’ so Blake Edwards quietly and masterfully edited my show and made it better. Blake Edwards worked on my show and made a good show great.”

 

What does 2015 hold in store for Robert Dubac? Is there a new show in the works? Will he be returning to Bucks County in the coming year? “I am writing something new, but it will take time to get it bullet-proof.  I will be appearing in Bristol in June. I appeared there recently, was well-received, and they’ve invited me back. Is Bristol near New Hope? Oh, it is. Good!”

 

Are there any goals he wishes to accomplish which he hasn’t? “I am right where I want to be, professionally. I have found doing what I have been doing to be very rewarding over the past fifteen years, and would be happy to continue doing the same thing. I have no great appetite for stardom or celebrity. I have friends who can’t leave their home because they are famous. Stardom itself can be unfulfilling and a barrier to living a happy life. Now that I am in my 50s, I don’t crave celebrity, and have nothing to prove at this point in my life.”

 

Mr. Dubac’s parting words to people in Bucks County?  “Come out. See and hear live theatre. The shows will be playing around Thanksgiving, so bring the folks and have something to talk about around the table.”

 

“Robert Dubac’s The Male Intellect: an Oxymoron” will run from November 12 – 23. “Robert Dubac’s The Book of Moron” runs November 25 – 29.

 

Bucks County Playhouse is located at 70 South Main Street in New Hope, PA.  visit their website at http://www.bcptheater.org/shows-and-events/

 

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