Ian Axness is making his triumphant return to Pipeline this winter as music director for Beardo, having previously worked as music director on New York Times Critics’ Pick Clown Bar. Other selected credits include: A Ride on the Irish Cream (Abrons), Pericles (Two River), Mermaiden (Spring Street Social Society), The Threepenny Opera (Atlantic), As You Like It (Public), Carousel (NY Philharmonic), and Political Subversities (Ars Nova & The PIT). Ian also serves on the faculty for Playwrights Horizons Theater School. Learn more about Ian in our interview below and grab those Beardo tickets here!
Pipeline Theatre Company: What attracted you to Beardo? What made you want to work on this project?
Ian Axness: I’m a huge fan of Dave Malloy’s whole deal (Three Pianos changed my life!) and I’m thrilled by the opportunity to direct the music for a show with a string ensemble.
PTC: Why do you perform the role you perform? Why do you focus on music direction?
IA: As a music director I get to work between worlds of cast and creative, between preparation and performance, and between the narrative and the abstract. I enjoy being a conductor in the most literal/electrical sense: transmitting energy between generators and actors.
PTC: If you ruled the world, what would you be remembered for?
IA: Mandatory music concerts.
PTC: Why should someone who has no connection to this show or its artists come see it?
IA: People need to see this show because it’s an absurdly serious show about politics being done in a church the size of a Broadway theater, and the wild languages of this musical play will blow their minds.
PTC: If you could create a tagline for this show, what would it be?
IA: “Rude. Repent. Repeat.”
