INTERVIEW: ‘Cellino v. Barnes’ extends off-Broadway, delighting its two performers
Photo: Cellino v. Barnes stars, from left, Noah Weisberg and Eric William Morris. Photo courtesy of Marc J. Franklin / Provided by Print Shop PR with permission.
A couple decades ago, growing up in the New York metropolitan area, it was difficult not to turn on the TV and hear that recognizable jingle for the Cellino & Barnes personal injury law firm. That says a lot about the legalese society the United States has become; one’s childhood memories are framed by commercials on finding legal representation to sue another party. Ah, ain’t that America.
Now, those children are grown up and want to know a little more about the story behind Cellino & Barnes. Enter playwrights Mike B. Breen and David Rafailedes, who have crafted a darkly humorous show called Cellino v. Barnes — special emphasis on the & turning into a v. — which is now playing an extended run off-Broadway at Asylum NYC.
Wesley Taylor and Alex Wyse, known to the theatrical community for their many acting parts over the years, are the co-directors of the 80-minute two-hander, which stars Eric William Morris as Ross Cellino and Noah Weisberg as Steve Barnes. In the show, these characters succeed and struggle with their law firm business, with their clients and with each other. It’s a story made for the headlines — or at least a 30-second commercial, and now an off-Broadway play.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Morris and Weisberg to find out how they approach these characters and whether they too were familiar with the Cellino & Barnes story. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What first attracted you to this play? What did you like on the page?
MORRIS: It’s one of the funniest scripts I’ve ever read. The dynamic between these two character types is immediately recognizable, yet these writers (Mike B. Breen and David Rafailedes) consistently find the humor in the weirdest and most satisfyingly new ways.
WEISBERG: The first thing was our two directors. Alex and Wes are some of the smartest, funniest people I know, and I wanted to work with them! So, this was an easy and an instant yes. The second was — I was unemployed. And third, the script. It’s just endlessly funny and clever and surprising and even touching and heartfelt. It feels like the best of vaudeville, SNL and theatre all rolled into one hysterical, quick-paced package. I’m so happy and grateful this happened!
How do you approach your individual characters? How do you see them?
MORRIS: I see him as someone who wants to change the world with his big Ideas. When he succeeds, it’s magical, and when he fails, it’s agony. All the extremes, no middle ground.
WEISBERG: I see this character as someone who loves his craft and cares deeply about it. I can relate to that. Like all characters I play, I try to start with the truth and then layer the comedy on top of that. It doesn’t mean there aren’t a million ‘bits’ in the show, many played for the sake of the bit, but I really feel like they are all still anchored in honesty and the pursuit of my character’s objective. But please, for the record, let it be known that I love a bit, I commit to the bit, I love a bit — oops, I already said that part. Well, it’s important. OK, thank you.
Were you very familiar with the Cellino and Barnes story?
MORRIS: I grew up in Northern New Jersey, so I knew the commercials and the jingle very well. I remember thinking, “Did they really need to write a jingle to help us remember this phone number?”
WEISBERG: I definitely knew the jingle and the ads, but I didn’t know their backstory. It has been a treat to learn about and share some of the history of these two men.
How is it working with Alex Wyse and Wesley Taylor?
MORRIS: It’s been wonderful. They’re both such funny, creative, supportive humans, and they love encouraging us to find our own way into the material. 10/10 would highly recommend.
WEISBERG: (Are they going to read this?)
The Best! So creative, so kind, and so collaborative! A truly joyful experience.
Have you been surprised and delighted by the success of the show?
MORRIS: It’s been really wonderful, yeah, and I’ve been totally surprised. I had the feeling that what we were making in the rehearsal room was really funny, but I think I have a particularly absurd sense of humor. And I didn’t know if what I found funny would necessarily appeal to a wider audience, and I’m delighted that it has.
WEISBERG: Yes! I think we all thought we had created something fun and funny and special, but we didn’t know how audiences would react. It is such a delight to do this show every night. It’s a delight to even be working as an actor at any given time, to get paid to do something you love so much. (Well, I mean, Eric is getting paid; I’m getting college credit, but still…) And this is, sincerely, the most fun I have had on stage. I love coming to the theatre every day and collaborating with Eric; Allison and Emily — our wonderful stage managers; and Barrett — the hardest working understudy in showbiz; and the audience. It is a privilege.
What do you believe this story teaches audience members in 2024?
MORRIS: I believe this is a wonderful story for 2024 because right about now we could all use an 80-minute laugh.
WEISBERG: To not take what you have for granted. These two guys had a very successful partnership for many years. It seems a shame to have let it end. It reminds me to be thankful to be employed doing what I love and working with people I respect and care about. It also is a great reminder that sometimes we just need to laugh, to not take everything too seriously. Perhaps, most of all, that is why I love the 75 minutes I get to spend on stage each night — the privilege to be in a room with a group of strangers and just laugh, just escape our problems for a little bit. For that moment in time, all the things that divide us, that are different about us, disappear. We are just a group of people participating in theatre, and theatre happens to be my favorite thing. I’m so happy I found theatre as a kid, and I’m so happy I found this play, this job. I am very lucky.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Cellino v. Barnes, starring Eric William Morris and Noah Weisberg, continues at Asylum NYC in Manhattan. Click here for more information and tickets.
