And even when we get into the run, there will still be things to work out.
I wish I could start from the beginning.
KERI RUSSELL:Im just looking forward to a week from now, knowing that I survived the performance.
Credit: Danielle Levitt
Dont I seem confident?
DRIVER:Almost cocky.
And then whatever it was on that day, thats it.
Its just that one thing and thats the version of what it is.
And in theater, youre sort of operating as your own editor and director in a sense.
So theyre two different things.
Its hard to compare.
Rehearsal for film is rare and its definitely great.
I feel like you might tell that from Sidney Lumets movies.
Its a different ride every night.
DRIVER:And the audience, also.
Theres a collective intelligence in the room where they teachyouabout the play a little bit.
Do either of you get to see much theater?
DRIVER:I do?
Whats my answer for this?
RUSSELL:When you first moved to New York…
DRIVER:I guess this is my stock answer.
I have a couple of performances that stuck with me.
His physicality is so amazing.
I had no idea where he was going to go.
Fiona Shaw inHappy Daysat [the Brooklyn Academy of Music] was pretty incredible.
That was another touchstone for me.
It reminds me to not be so precious.
RUSSELL:I didnt grow up going to theater.
But when I first came to New York, I remember going by myself to see Fiona Shaw doMedea.
And I remember being mesmerized by her.
And then I guess, recently, the thing I saw that really took my breath away wasThe Jungle.
It got me excited.
You both live in Brooklyn.
Now we know each other a lot better.
We were talking about this yesterday, these are all my canned answers.
RUSSELL:Adam played me.
DRIVER:I read her lines, yeah.
Keri and I go out for the same parts a lot.
And I went to the premiere ofThe Americansbecause he invited me.
And because I wanted to see what Keri did with my character, and thats how I met Keri.
You were both recently on the set of a little independent film calledStar Wars: Episode IX.
So first, tell me everything about that movie…DRIVER:Nice try.
RUSSELL:Did we?
Did you rehearse for this at all on theStar Warsset?RUSSELL:No.
What was it about this play that made you want to do Broadway?RUSSELL:Aww, f!
Thats what I ask myself every day.
[Driver points to himself] It was definitelynotyou!
And I thought, Why not?
Ill give it a shot.
When youre 23, you dont know much about anything, really.
I look back and its embarrassing thinking about some of the things I remember doing in that play.
It felt like kids in costumes.
Now, you just have more experience.
Theres something funny and sad about being the age of the character.
This is a play where the chemistry between the two characters is pretty essential and gets pretty steamy.
I mean, the publicity photos are the two of you laying down on a couch embracing.
One website described it as horny.DRIVER:Ooo-kay.
And I think that photo shows that feeling.
Everyone wants that feeling.
You dont have to like the person.
In this case, we do, which makes it easier.
Do you know what I mean?
Its like telling people what to think when they see it.
RUSSELL:Theres something about loss thats relatable to right now.
Theres this idea of wanting authenticity.
Keri, in the play your character says that you two are like apples and oranges.
What appealed to you about working with Adam?DRIVER:I love this.
And I get it.
Every boy loves that part.
And I was intrigued by that.
I knew it would be more than the thing that all the guys love about it.
And Adam?DRIVER:[Checks his watch] Oh, were out of time!
No, lets just say that its in the category of things were still working on.
Its rare when you meet actors where your taste and way of working is the same.
They just get it.
Because there are so few who share the same passion and anxiety.
So when you find those people which are, like, five you hold on to them.
And you work with them as much as possible.
It makes going to work not feel like work.
Keri has no end game, shes rare.
It spoils you for everything else.
Bottom line, the next job will suck for both of us.
Burn Thisopens April 16.
