'Ted Lasso' writer and actor brings pre-Broadway show to Chicago
Published in Entertainment News
CHICAGO — Brendan Hunt, the Chicago improvisor who became the co-creator of “Ted Lasso” and plays the popular character of Coach Beard on that hit, soccer-themed Apple TV show, will stage a solo show at Steppenwolf Theatre with Broadway as his ultimate aim.
In a telephone interview while shooting the new Season 4 of “Ted Lasso,” Hunt described his show, “The Movement You Need,” as “in the vein of sentimental but amusing solo shows, built around me and my mom having a complicated relationship, as is obligatory for the genre.”
He also said that “one area of concord and agreement was The Beatles” and that his show was inspired by his meeting Paul McCartney (a benefit of the success of “Ted Lasso”) and wanting to say things to the iconic Beatle that he decided were inappropriate for the context of the meeting.
The show, directed by Ashley Rodbro, will play at Steppenwolf for three weeks later this spring, reflecting that Chicago theater’s increased willingness to present as well as produce work.
Hunt grew up in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, and although his family moved around, it was “always within walking distance of Wrigley Field.” The piece has had a short workshop version at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, but Hunt said it was a dream come true to stage his full, 85-minute work at Steppenwolf. “There were a bunch of theaters on the table,” he said, “but to do the show in Chicago and at Steppenwolf is a dream.”
In 2003, I reviewed Hunt in a Boom Chicago sketch comedy revue that came to Second City from Amsterdam; his best character was Roy Keane, then the famously acerbic Irish member of the Manchester United soccer team. He was also an understudy for “Mojo” at Steppenwolf, but never went on.
Vivek J. Tiwary is the lead commercial producer of the project.
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“The Movement You Need: An Evening with Brendan Hunt” will play April 19 to May 10 on the Steppenwolf Theatre mainstage, 1650 N. Halsted St.; tickets ($55-$105) go on sale at noon Thursday at 312-335-1650 (Steppenwolf members get preferential access Tuesday) and at www.steppenwolf.org.
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