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We are the cast and creators of Portal 2: The (Unauthorized) Musical and lots of other geeky theatre. AUA!
Hello reddit! You may know us as the people behind the Portal 2 musical that hit the front page of r/gaming and r/all yesterday!
We've also done large-scale burlesque spectacular versions of Star Wars, and all sorts of geeky theatre.
A ton of people said we should do an AMA, and we're super excited to be here.
Ask us anything, we have no shame. We're artists.
We are:
Davin Reid (Director/Cave Johnson) Fairlith Harvey (Geekenders artistic director/GLaDOS/Caroline) Graeme Thompson (Wheatley)
Our Proof: http://youtu.be/G5CYbqWsXmY
For more from us, here's our Facebook: http://facebook.com/geekenders
And our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3fbiN2Nm7tv-m-FJG4hZGg
The show goes up January 30/31 and March 13/14 in Vancouver, BC, and February 28 in Victoria, BC. Tickets: http://riotheatretickets.ca
EDIT 1: Davin had to go to something called 'job'. He'll be back.
EDIT 2: Fairlith just left at 4:17, will be doing stuffs with monies and getting me PIZZAAAAA. I'm all alone in the rehearsal space so please talk to me, hang out with me, you're so beautiful.
EDIT 3: Sorry it's been so heavily Graeme right now, I'm all alone.
EDIT 4: DAVIN IS BACK AND HE JUST LEFT TO MAKE A PHONE CALL BUT THAT MEANS HE IS PRETTY WELL BACK.
EDIT 5: Fairlith is back and she's staying forever.
geekenders18 karma
Graeme: Wow.
Fairlith: Lots of stuff! We're doing our first Star Wars burlesque spectacular again, but on a way bigger scale for a two-week engagement in Vancouver, and a BC tour. And we're doing a gender-swapped Princess Bride, and a Guardians of the Galaxy burlesque spectacular... and a Nicholas Cage-themed variety show....
Graeme: No I'm not being a part of the Nicholas Cage-themed variety show.
Davin: I will.
shorthanded4 karma
how did you manage to get rights to princess bride? a friend has been trying, but didn't manage to get them in time for this year. any advice?
osi_iien7 karma
Gender-swapped Princess Bride ??? Wow. Definitely do an AMA on that one later on then please. Sooooo many questions...
geekenders6 karma
Ask away! We've got nowhere to be except rehearsal, and we're in charge, and at rehearsal anyway, so... Hi.
osi_iien6 karma
(POSSIBLE SPOILERS OF PRINCESS BRIDE) Will it be mainly based on the movie or the book ? I loved the fact that the narrator interrupts frequently the story in the book, which is by far less true in the movie.
geekenders5 karma
Fairlith: Little of both. There will be more interjections by Columbo in the stage show, reminiscent of the book. But because we're selling nostalgia and nobody reads anymore... It'll be really reminiscent of the film, costume and look-wise.
crumpocalypse_3 karma
I must admit I knew about the Princess Bride one (I am one of the turret's wife) but did not know about the GotG one, that so of made me Squee at work a little not going to lie!
crumpocalypse_7 karma
This isn't a question but I must tell you..Nick constantly talks about the show and for some reason thinks everyone in the world knows you Fairith. It is funny when other humans just look at him like WTF?!
osi_iien4 karma
Well, nobody knows Fairith, but everybody knows Fairlith, that's why. Case closed.
... I should really head to bed.
geekenders3 karma
Fairlith: Hahahah. Head to bed? NEVER. It's only 3pm, where are you? Also, nobody knows me.
teraniel3 karma
Bahaha, he gushes. Pretty well constantly. I tease him about being a fanboy.
teraniel3 karma
Oh yes. So much. The mocking is nigh endless. I thought he was excited with my being a stage ewok in Reveal, but I have heard so many high-pitched squeals of glee the further into rehearsals you get. It's fantastic when you get to see people that excited and passionate about what they're doing!
SunshineCoastCindy10 karma
Tickets are almost sold out for opening night and I'm sure Saturday will be gone pretty soon too. Will you be holding over the show? Will it be performed anywhere else in Vancouver?
geekenders10 karma
Fairlith: March 13/14 at the Rio! They told us like an hour ago? So... yes. And hopefully a longer theatrical run in the fall, too.
geekenders9 karma
Fairlith: We're already touring to a couple of places in our home province... we'd REALLY like to tour, but can't afford to! If the show does really well, we'd like to. And of course, being Canadian, the whole... work visa situation is kind of tough? If things keep going as well as they are, though, we'll find a way. We're super obsessed with this show.
osi_iien9 karma
So, free album, free video on youtube.... Come on people, let us throw some money at you, FOR SCIENCE !
geekenders11 karma
Fairlith: Virtual tip jar? We're too Canadian. I can't handle it. You all are so nice.
Davin: Sorry.
Graeme: No, I'm sorry. Beaver tail?
osi_iien5 karma
What's true though is that if you want to tour, you could ask what people on reddit think of it and then maybe try launching a kickstarter.
lottielibido4 karma
I re-recommend putting a PayPal donation button on the Geekenders' website.
geekenders5 karma
Graeme: Right? I'll talk to da furlith HEY FURLITH GET A PAYPAL
Fairlith: nods
Graeme: that's the best I could do
timebomb_baby3 karma
is there like a mailing list we can join for a link to the recording when it comes out?
geekenders3 karma
Fairlith: We will be announcing it on youtube and releasing it on iTunes so you can subscribe to our youtube or follow us on Facebook
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/Geekenders
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Geekenders
geekenders18 karma
Fairlith: Give him a lap dance while dressed as GLaDOS.
Davin: Give him a lap dance while dressed as Cave Johnson.
Graeme: Film it.
osi_iien7 karma
Based on a review, "With the use of huge puppets, beautiful human x-wings and tie fighters, and explosions of confetti, this was both mind-blowing and epic.", about your previous show.
Will there be (without spoilers, of course) "special effects" in this one too ?
geekenders9 karma
Fairlith: Yes! PORTALS!
Davin: Science.
Fairlith: There are two actresses who look fairly similar, have similar builds and the same wig, playing Chell. I hope that's not a spoiler.
Graeme: And they're both really nice and pretty. I get uncomfortable talking to them.
geekenders8 karma
Davin: Um, orange. Graeme: Uhh, green. Fairlith: Blue is more soothing. Also, Graeme is literally colourblind.
osi_iien4 karma
Haha ok :D Oh, I wonder if that's an issue when playing the game... Especially in 2-player mode, with 4 portal colours.
geekenders5 karma
Graeme: Um, no... I'm red-green colourblind. So that doesn't really affect me. It's more like dark browns and dark greens. I thought a chalk board was brown, my entire life.
geekenders9 karma
Fairlith: Not so far. We wrote to Valve extensively when coming up with the show, and didn't hear back... and then Kim Swift said she's coming to the show, which is incredible. So I think they're kind of just ignoring us, which is fine with me.
The way the show is structured is that the 16 songs are parodies, mostly, so... that helps a little bit. We just love the story so, so much.
crumpocalypse_5 karma
It is awesome Kim Swift is coming (one of your cast members told me that not too long ago and we high fived like a bunch and danced around)
fishforbreakfast5 karma
Can you tell us more about the theater where this show takes place?
geekenders4 karma
Graeme: It's a really fun venue, I like the atmosphere and the audience that it draws out, you know, they get super gong-show wasted and then they just kind of hoot and holler and really support you. I think that's more of a credit to the Geekenders fan base, more or less? But I think there are also some really avid Rio supporters that go to everything, and there's such a great crowd and great energy. The staff is super pleasant and really fun to work with.
fishforbreakfast5 karma
What would you have to say to anyone who is concerned that you might not do the games justice?
geekenders5 karma
Graeme: Cometh at me, brethren.
Davin: Just you wait. Seeing a poster for Portal 2 might make you wonder 'how the hell are they going to pull it off?'... When you see it, you'll understand, and be very, very happy.
Fairlith: I would just tell them to think about how musical the game already is. And how quirky, and fun, and human the characters are even when they're not actually human. And there's the turret opera, and Want You Gone, and Still Alive, and everything. It really lends itself.
geekenders6 karma
Fairlith: Intermission might come with a couple of surprises.
Graeme: We're gonna throw rubix cubes at you. Just you.
geekenders8 karma
Fairlith: Five nights a week, three hours per rehearsal, generally. I mean, the show opens in less than two weeks so now we're doing more, and the week leading up we'll be doing nothing but pretending to be Portal characters.
geekenders9 karma
Fairlith: Okay.
Davin: Nice.
Fairlith: Who are you?
Graeme: What will you give as a dowry? I want a goat. Or at least three. Or a hundred duck-sized goats. How strong are their necks?
Fairlith: Yes, I'll marry you, take me away from this.
elcucuey6 karma
The dowry is one goat and two sheep although she is worth at least 3 sheep.
geekenders9 karma
Graeme: Hi, Dowry Advisor here, we've got way too many sheep, we need wheat or bricks.
elcucuey7 karma
Due to the sanctions against Russia wheat is hard to come by. Would you like clay or stone bricks?
geekenders5 karma
Graeme: Well, baby brother... I'd say... I'm a bad actor, I don't read nearly as many plays as I perform in. Some of my favourite plays would have to be Seven Stories, Dog Sees God, Into the Woods... that's a musical. I saw the Drowsy Chaperone, and that's easily one of my favourite musicals ever.
Davin: I kind of agree with Graeme when it comes to not... I mean, I have seen some shows, but what really got my into theatre was in university when my professor told me I could do whatever I wanted. And I'd seen Glengarry Glen Ross with my mom. So... And musical, Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat. Because Donny Osmond made eye contact with me.
Fairlith: I do nothing but watch plays and musicals because I'm not a balanced human being. Beauty and the Beast, The Importance of Being Earnest, Pippin, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, I don't even... anything. I will watch any theatre. I have a problem.
intheothercastle2 karma
Did you know that there's a musical version of Earnest? It's called "Ernest in Love" and it's witty and cute and very fun. Watching your preview kind of reminded me of it, since you so effortlessly turned Wheatley's apple dialogue into song. That's the kind of thing they did with the Earnest music.
geekenders2 karma
Fairlith: Awww! That's both super nice (effortlessly :D) and intriguing. I have written a note here... uhh... check out that thing.
fishforbreakfast3 karma
What would be the best result of word getting out about how good this show is?
geekenders4 karma
Graeme: Fairlith isn't here, and I find that this is more her domain, but I would love to see Geekenders find notoriety and financial success through it.
Fairlith works herself down to nothing to get these shows up because she knows Geekenders fans are passionate about their geek culture. She makes sure that her scripts have a solid story structure, emotional content, and comedy that respects each show's source material, and she still gives it spins to make it new and exciting for everyone to enjoy on top of that. I think, and this is my opinion, that it would be awesome if we could gain enough financial support in order to tour the show wherever we are wanted!
This is a great company, and it has huge aspirations, great content, and great people working for it, but it suffers from an independent theatre budget. I want to see people continuously going out and enjoying the beauty of live theatre, I never want to see live performance die because there is truly nothing else like it.
geekenders3 karma
Fairlith here! I'm back. Honestly, just... tell your friends, share it on social media. But only if you genuinely believe the show is worth it, if you genuinely enjoy it. We would be honoured. It would be so kind of you to help.
geekenders5 karma
Fairlith: There'd have to be a Half-Life 3 to make it into a musical...
Graeme: A moment of silence.
geekenders5 karma
Davin: No.
Graeme: I don't see it being a good fit.
Fairlith: Nothing's impossible if you believe.
wacky3zaybxc3 karma
Without giving too much away, does the musical generally follow the plot of the game? Or how is it converting this game into a full-blown musical?
geekenders5 karma
Fairlith: It does generally follow the plot. Much of Act 2 involves flashbacks to vintage Aperture Science and the adventures of Cave, Caroline, and Black Mesa... I think Portal is a very naturally musical property. The score is so important.
Graeme: I had my doubts when you first told me you were doing this. I thought, 'how is this feasible, there are no characters', but you put the cores in more and you expanded the world and breathed so much life into the facility itself.
Fairlith: Thank you.
Davin: Coverting it basically with what we have at our disposal, everybody from different backgrounds and everything... we don't have the budget to do gigantic things, but with the stuff and actors we do have, it just... works. It really works.
geekenders2 karma
Graeme: They all give me a headache. But I've got a soft spot for fact.
Fairlith: The adventure core is dreamy.
Davin: I love working with all three of the actors, and what everyone's bringing to them... but the fact core just... his improv skills are very good. And he's absolutely hilarious.
Fairlith: What about in the game?
Davin: Oh! Space.
SunshineCoastCindy3 karma
Where is the best source or links to find out the basic story, back story for people who love musical theatre but haven't played the video game?
geekenders7 karma
Fairlith: There's a really great walk-through that you can watch like a movie...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUiD2IyUpDI
Or Wikipedia has a decent synopsis. Honestly, we wrote it so our moms would understand the show. Speaking of which...
Davin: Hi, mom.
SunshineCoastCindy5 karma
Hi Davin Thanks Fairlith, lots of my friends and family are coming and we need a quick debrief. And it is good to know that we will understand. We are all pretty pumped!
MikeKnowsGames3 karma
Are you planning to focus more on burlesque shows, or musical theatre in 2015?
geekenders8 karma
Fairlith: Bit of column A, bit of column B. I'm working on 'Doctor Whosical' right now.
Graeme: I'm hoping that Portal picks up enough traction that we can keep on producing it and expanding it and actually run the show for what it's worth. It's so difficult to work for two months on a show and only run it for two days. So it would be nice to be able to run Portal like an 'actual' theatre company would.
Davin: I completely agree with both of their answers.
Graeme: And I agree with Davin.
geekenders10 karma
Davin: 100 duck-sized horses. Lots of kicking.
Graeme: Yeah, like... a hundred is a lot. And they all have teeth and stuff like that, but how strong are their necks?
Davin: it's like running into a field of mousetraps, it's not that bad.
Graeme: Could you like pick them up by their necks and hit them with each other while kicking them? Or you could do, like, Resident Evil 4 mercenary mode and be Hunk and just like pop 'em all in the head with the TMP and then just... like, go on a neck-break spree.
Fairlith: I would tame the horse-sized duck and ride it.
Graeme: No, you gotta f*ckin' fight it!
Davin: Fight it with love.
Fairlith: Okay, I'll Care Bear Stare 100 duck-sized horses.
geekenders2 karma
Fairlith: None are wholly original, as the show is built on parody... The lyrics of the songs are totally original. But... Act one has seven, act two has nine, though one is just dance.
impulse13373 karma
I hear that the Adventure Core is not a blowhard nor a coward, and infact does not need to lose a few pounds. Is there any truth to this?
geekenders3 karma
Graeme: There are countless facts to support that statement, oh, and also, shut up Meg.
fishforbreakfast3 karma
Did you insist that everyone involved in the show play through both games?
geekenders3 karma
Fairlith: I asked everyone to at least watch a walk-through, but most people know the games intimately already.
Graeme: I played through both intensely.
Davin: ...They'll get it.
osi_iien3 karma
Just do a Portal-party, like I did with my friends : just like a LAN party, with each one on his computer trying to finish the game, and one main player on a big screen, going slow just to give the solution to the slowest players. You'll see players starting to compete to find puzzle solutions more and more, making it more engaging ! Also, if anyone gives up, he can still watch the others, and try to help.
geekenders3 karma
Fairlith: That sounds super fun!
Davin: Holy S*it, awesome
Graeme: That sounds dope, we totally should have done that, but we have lots to accomplish before show date. Maybe at our cast party we'll get hammer face wastered and do this! FOR DA SCIENCE
lottielibido3 karma
Who's has been your favourite character to play so far? And who would you like to play in the upcoming Geekenders' shows?
geekenders3 karma
Graeme: Hard question, I get to play lots of awesome characters. I loved playing Scarecrow in Wizard of Bras but Wheatley has been a great challenge. I think he's my fav so far. I'd like to play a director for the Princess Bride Burlesque.
Davin: My favourite character so far is Obi-Wan, but that's the only role I've played in Geekenders so far. Outside of Geekenders my favourite would have to be a tie between Seymour Krelborn or Sir Andrew Aguecheek. I don't really know the upcoming shows, but I'm more than happy to play Obi-Wan Kenobi again.
fishforbreakfast3 karma
Are you capable of putting into words how excited you were to discover how well word-of-mouth had spread about this show?
geekenders3 karma
Graeme: It was a lot of "Da fuu...DA fuu!?...DA FUUUU-?!?" It's also now turned into a terrifying challenge for myself (and maybe all of us in the cast but I can't speak for everyone). We were working hard already because we just wanted to put on a show outside the realm of burlesque, not just a show, but a full scale musical. Now since there has been such a MASSIVE spike in interest I think we're feeling just that much more pressure to make it the best we can. It was so cool to see how nice and insanely supportive the Reddit community has been. I also pee'd a bit.
Davin: I really didn't know what to think about it at first, I've just been focusing like crazy on the show. But then I started getting messages from random people on Facebook, and then looking at the IMGUR that was over a million - then I started vibrating a bit. But holy diver its been an amazing feeling!
fishyguy133 karma
Will the show be recorded in any way? I'd love to see the play, but have no way of getting to it.
fishyguy132 karma
Including Intermissions? WOO! Also, black comedy? I assume that's a non-american term.
geekenders3 karma
Fairlith: Hahahah. No, not intermissions. Unless you really want that. In Canada and the UK, 'black comedy' is synonymous with 'dark comedy', and implies that it's a bit more adult.
destrike2 karma
I saw mention of a 'Doctor Whosical'. Any further details you're willing to share?
geekenders3 karma
Fairlith: The TITLE is what inspires me. I have visions of a sort of highlights reel of the Doctor's life from the narrative viewpoint of the 12th Doctor, with a loose story around that.
geekenders2 karma
Graeme: I know nothing! the Artistic Director, Fairlith, probably has more to share once she returns! I am just a lowly actor.
fishforbreakfast2 karma
Just thinking of all the gels in Portal 2, is there a risk that certain rows in the audience may get sticky?
fishforbreakfast2 karma
Why Portal? Were there any other video game stories that tickled your fancy?
geekenders6 karma
Fairlith: Valve is... a very understanding company. Also, I'm obsessed with Portal.
Graeme: I loved Portal 1 and I love Portal 2, they were both games with so much character and just in the environments, like when you see the graffiti on the walls, and you see the quirkiness inside the facility. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but the environment was done exceedingly well. Good job, Valve. Great job, Valve. EXCELLENT JOB, VALVE. Am I talking too much? I get nervous.
Davin: I was approached for the role of Cave Johnson and doing my character breakdown of him, I've absolutely fallen in love with the character. He's like... JK Simmons, obviously, I've thrown in some Dan Ackroyd, a soccer mom, but where it really stems from, my idea of him is Walt Disney meets Donald Draper. Working with this character has been one of my favourites I've ever done.
fishforbreakfast2 karma
But which came first? Did you consider making a musical based off of a video game, and then choose Portal, or were you thinking about Portal and had the thought, "You know what would make a good musical?" ?
geekenders2 karma
Fairlith: Portal came first. I would also like to do a Bioshock musical.
Graeme: BOOKER!
Davin: I'll play the little girl.
Graeme: Would you kindly?
Friedso2 karma
Hey, guys! How did you get around the fact that Chell has no personality in the game? Is she still silent in the musical?
geekenders7 karma
Davin: She has loads of personality! In the game and in the show.
Graeme: There are no facts to support that.
Fairlith: She sings her internal monologue, but doesn't speak.
Graeme: I don't know, i think that if you look at her silence as a direct defiance of GLaDOS, like, she chooses not to speak, right?
Davin: Also, being the silent protagonist in the game and the show, you can relate to her more. Like in Chrono Trigger.
Graeme: I love Chrono Trigger.
Friedso3 karma
+100000000000000000000000000 internet points for mentioning and loving Chrono Trigger. Thanks for answering!
geekenders4 karma
Graeme: I was jamming hard to this yesterday, and also THANKS! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpw6Lt6USrs
Davin: Oh thank god there's someone who shares affection and love for this GLORIOUS game.
Friedso4 karma
Graeme: well, now I'm going to have to stop everything and listen to the entire soundtrack.
Davin: Chrono Trigger is perfect in every single way.
geekenders3 karma
Graeme: I get so emotional every time I listen to wind scene and whenever I get to the part where all the robots lay the smack down on ROBO. MY FEELS MY FEELS OH ALL THE FEELS I FEEL.
geekenders2 karma
Fairlith: Yes.
Graeme: If you win the super-secret raffle you can come and eat it off of Davin and my chests.
Davin: I agree.
crumpocalypse_2 karma
If you know when your wrap party is I could do a cake for you guys like this http://imgur.com/gallery/MFjkjHL All you have to do is ask Nick Drake (turret and nerd husband) and I would happily make you a nerdy as fuck cake
geekenders2 karma
Fairlith: Is that a lie? I've been burned before.
Graeme: MMMMMMM BE STILL BY BEATING DIABETERS
Fairlith: Wait, for real?
crumpocalypse_2 karma
Yes, for real! I would never lie about cake. It goes against all that is my pastry chef heart to lie about cake!
geekenders2 karma
Fairlith: I might marry you.
Graeme: I just like cake. And Tiny Tina, go u/crumpocalypse_ !
crumpocalypse_2 karma
Tiny Tina is my spirit animal....I want to be her when I grow up :D
Fairith be careful...I might just take you up on that <3
geekenders2 karma
Graeme: Here Here, I wanna make Badonkadonks all day. squishy squishy squishy. Fairlith isn't here right now but if you leave your name, number, and a dowry, we'll get right on it.
fishforbreakfast2 karma
Will most of the show be lost on an audience member if they have no idea what Portal is?
(Compare it to, say, watching Charles' Ross one-man Lord of the Rings, having never read the books nor saw the movies)
geekenders2 karma
Fairlith: I think it's clearer than one man LOTR because that's more of an in joke, we wrote Portal as a standalone so that even our mothers would understand!
geekenders2 karma
Fairlith: Fourteen!
EDIT: Wait... fifteen? WTF, I have no idea and I'm the producer. Wait. I'll check the FB event.
(Which is here: https://www.facebook.com/events/374045326081855/)
Fifteen.
crumpocalypse_16 karma
So after this show what is next for you guys? (ps- love everything you do - haven't missed a production from you guys)
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