It’s so great to catch up with Director Jonathan Van Dyke whom I last interviewed in 2012.

Now Jonathan has just directed a production of Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire's award winning musical Closer Than Ever for MNM Theatre Company in Boca Raton, FL, which will be streaming this holiday season.

In this NEW interview, Jonathan once again answered my call, but this time around he shares:

• About his innovative production
• How he came up with the concept of presenting this show
• Safety protocols
• The Broadway Shutdown
• The future of theatre
• So much more

Connect with Jonathan: Facebook, Instagram

Closer Than Ever has extended its stream until January 10, 2021!

Written by Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire, Closer Than Ever is a nonstop exploration of everyday struggles in the "modern world." Topics ranging from unrequited adoration... to aging... to Muzak are tackled with resounding sincerity and precisely placed hilarity.

Each song is a unique story told by a new character, taking audiences, not only into the songbook of Maltby and Shire, but into the minds of the individuals facing these completely relatable challenges.

1. You are directing a socially distanced production of Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire's award winning musical Closer Than Ever that will stream online this coming holiday season. How did you stage this production to make it safe for everyone involved? We went to great lengths to achieve a safe environment and I can share with you that we were successful!

Constant testing from start to finish, masks & gloves worn, deep cleaning, disinfecting, temperatures taken and personal responsibility were some of the measures taken. The actors were staged at least six feet apart and the use of integrated projection allowed for intimate moments that I believe would have been missed.

Closer Than Ever really lends itself to our new artistic challenges and a significant reason in selecting it. Small cast shows that pack a theatrical punch are what will be on the forefront for the foreseeable future and this material is just so strong.

With our rolling doors that also acted as projection screens, we tried to be as creative with staging as possible while keeping our protocols in place. The title says so much about our circumstances. Though we can't be close physically, in our hearts, minds and myriad of other ways we are closer than ever.

2. What was the hardest part of the production to conceive for filming/streaming? To be honest, we set this up like a live performance. This was my first foray directing and staging in our new world, but we came in prepared. The concept was designed for the stage and the film crew captured what would basically be our live performance.

The biggest difference was sometimes we had to do multiple takes or wanted to get some clever camera angles, but basically it felt like a show.

3. What was it like to direct a stage show for film as opposed to a live production? For me it was very similar. We rehearsed and executed it as a stage show. The Director of Photography saw our final run through and we discussed some camera positions, but we wanted it to have that theatrical feeling as much as possible.

I suppose it took some getting used to for the cast to have a camera operator following their every move, but they seemed to adapt! It was interesting to see how it translated to film, but felt like we were putting on a show.

Cast of Closer Than Ever at MNM Theatre Company
Photo Credit: Amy Pasquantonio

4. With this show being produced for MNM Theatre in Boca Raton, FL where it is warm this time of year. Why did you choose to film this show for streaming as opposed to perform it live with all COVID safety precautions in place for audiences to attend? Many theatres and producers are in a sink or swim situation. Trying to find that "something" to keep buoyant is no easy task. We all know some theatres that are no longer with us. In an industry that was already difficult, if theatres can't get by in some way safely, we will lose them.

We had set our sights producing Closer Than Ever with this concept and then we hit a real difficult period with Covid. Doing the show, but filming it for an on demand situation, seemed like the best first step.

Now that we have wrapped the filming, it has given us the confidence to think about presenting it live, keeping all of our safety measures for actors and those for a limited audience.

5. How do you feel the show's message holds up in today's climate of the global pandemic and social injustice? I keep going back to the title and how it just speaks to our current climate. The music and lyrics of Maltby and Shire are as honest and robust today as when they were written. As long as love and sorrow remain part of the human condition, Closer Than Ever will resonate.

Keeping the cast separated will be noticed, but we were able to visually see them together with the use of the projections. A bittersweet reminder of where we are.

6. After completing a project like this, how do you feel streaming will fit into the theatre landscape once live performances resume worldwide? Streaming is a way for some folks to get by for now. It has provided a life line and a viable outlet to keep things moving forward. 

In my opinion, streaming doesn't compare to the live theatre experience, but doing nothing is not an option either. This is a time for ingenuity and adapting, while staying safe, or we will lose too much. There is a way with thought and care.

Cast of Closer Than Ever at MNM Theatre Company
Photo Credit: Amy Pasquantonio

7. Of the protocols put in place to make this production happen, which ones do you feel should remain in effect, even once a vaccine is developed, approved, and available to everyone? Until we are in the clear, I would keep all of them. We are all in this together and implementing these measures is necessary until we reach the finish line. If we are taking the necessary precautions, in my opinion, we can still create in our own way until this is behind us.

8. Providing all current shows on Broadway resume when Broadway opens up again, what is the first show you want to go see? Moulin Rouge!

9. Rapid Fire Questions:

• Favorite TV Show? The Twilight Zone
• Favorite Musical? West Side Story
• Favorite Game Show? The Price is Right
• Favorite Board Game? Clue
• Favorite comfort food? Mac & Cheese
• Favorite cereal? Grapenuts (it's true!)
• Go to Karaoke song? “Can't Fight This Feeling” (REO Speedwagon)
• Go to Emoji when texting? Slice of pizza (🍕)
• Boxers or Briefs? Proud wearer of briefs

10. What is something you'd like my readers to know about you that we didn't get to cover in this interview? I am just so grateful to have had this time with MNM Theatre Company and I hope folks will enjoy seeing it as much as we enjoyed putting it together. It's a real special piece that gives you all of the feels! I will treasure this experience.

More Jonathan Van Dyke Interviews:

2012 (Read Here): You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up!

Jonathan Van Dyke

More on Jonathan Van Dyke:

Jonathan is so pleased to be working with MNM Theatre Company on a piece that is close to his heart. As a director and choreographer his work includes productions of Boeing Boeing, The Wiz, West Side Story, Jerry’s Girls, I Love a Piano, Beehive, Pippin, Breaking Up is Hard to Do, Cinderella, My One and Only, The Hot Shoe Shuffle, and The Savannah Sipping Society.

A member of the Dramatists Guild, his first literary project was writing the book for the 80’s musical Totally Electric which premiered at The Duplex NYC and has since had productions in New Orleans (NOCCA), Denver (The Aurora Fox) Tampa (The Ritz) and Orlando (The Abbey).

His original seasonal show Holiday Incorporated premiered at Hyde Park’s Friday Morning Musicale and then presented at The Straz Center for the Performing Arts and The Show Palace Dinner Theatre.

His play Spring at the Willowbrook Inn was awarded Outstanding Production for new LGBT work by All Out Arts in NYC. Soon after an industry reading was presented starring Greg Louganis.

Jonathan was part of the creative team for TellAVision which appeared on America’s Got Talent, the closing ceremony of The Commonwealth Games, The Indian Film Academy Awards, Britain's Got Talent, and the Season 8 opener for The Rachel Ray Show.

Currently he is the owner and creative producer of Van Dyke Productions which specializes in custom entertainment for all events.