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Thomas  Christopher Nieto  on   NATIVE GARDENS

1/24/2017

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Thomas Christopher Nieto
What would you do if you found out your neighbor had been using two feet of your property?

First I would ask myself if I wanted the land. When I was a child, the house I grew up in had a wonderful back yard. There was an alley way about 5-6 feet wide that separated the adjoining property. The city offered it to both property owners, asking for a bid. My father said they can have it. He didn’t want to pay more property tax. I would probably do the same now. BTW, the other property owner didn’t want it either so there is, to this day, a small square piece of land in between the two fences.

So do you garden?
No, I unfortunately don’t have a green thumb. My mother says I kill plants and I agree with her. My grandfather had an incredible garden though. It was huge! It resembled the garden in The Godfather movie when Marlon Brando’s character is chasing/teasing his grandson and has a heart attack. I, unfortunately never acquired that skill of gardening.

What do you like most about acting in comedies?

The immediacy of it. The audience tells you immediately if it’s funny or not. There is no guessing. They either laugh or they don’t. In a drama, or serious play, one can come away wondering if it landed on the audience or not. Also, sometimes you don’t always know what the audience will laugh at. You think, “Oh, this will get a laugh, for sure” and then…crickets. Then, some mundane moment passes by, nothing really happening, and then the audience roars with laughter! Nightly! And I’m never quite sure what it is they are laughing at, but I sure take it.

Are there specific challenges to acting in a comedy versus a drama?

Yes, to make them laugh! In a drama, I can lie to myself and say,” Well, the audience got it, it was just very intense and so they were quiet”. I basically, bs myself. With comedy, if there were no laughs, then that means I was HORRIBLE! And I thank god no one had any rotten fruit to throw at me.

What do you like most about this play?

Well, what I like most about this play right now, because it changes at times, is that all four characters have a strong point of view, have an intense passion for something, and are at complete odds with each other. They are, essentially, RIGHT, in their argument, yet completely in the wrong in reference to the others. But, I feel maybe why an audience should come see the play is because it touches on so many HOT TOPICS that are in the news today. And most definitely with the political climate as well. Also, there is no figurative hammer smashing down on some opinion for or against which, to me, seems like such a breath of fresh air. It’s a comedy! Whew!

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