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Nelson, the more direct and professorial of the two, wrote his new playSocrateswith Stuhlbarg in mind.
Though he plays the pugnacious philosopher onstage, compared to Nelson, Stuhlbarg is quieter and more circumspect.
I had no idea how difficult it was going to be.
There was a part inLeaves of GrassI wrote for him
Stuhlbarg: Oh my goodness!
Nelson: You knew that.
The part Maggie Siff played, the rabbi.
Stuhlbarg: Forgive me, thats right.
But he couldnt do it, so I played that role.
Stuhlbarg: I didnt know that, either!
Nelson: But this one, he decided he was available.
Michael, you were also at Juilliard when Tim was there.
Two years younger?Stuhlbarg: Thats right, two years behind Tim.
That was the first thing I saw that Tim had made that really captured my imagination and excited me.
Nelson: As I said, I write for Michael.
I wrote the part of Hoffman inGrey Zonefor Michael.
Its just basically straight translations of diaries that were buried at Birkenau and theyre filled with lacunae.
There are ellipses, dots, where the lacunae are.
And it made the characters, the writers, seem so tender and vulnerable and conscience-stricken.
I thought, Thats Michael.
So I started writing that role for Michael.
And then I wanted that role inA Serious Man, and they gave it to Michael!
Stuhlbarg: He would have been wonderful.
Nelson: No, you were definitively who that guy is.
Like inThe Republic.Nelson: Right.
That has had to allow for a very, very free approach to the adaptation of it.
What did the people with whom he was speaking sound like?
And why was it so offensive?
Not to spoil ancient history, but I imagine Socrates execution has to play into the drama.
Its all in his play.
Its all written, the steps that he would go through under those circumstances.
We really watch the body trying to save itself.
It was essential to me that it be done as a period piece.
I think everything thats happening in this play is absolutely relevant to a modern audience.
One example is a variously informed citizenry how do you deal with that?
Thankfully Doug didnt disagree, and I think hes going to put up a really wonderful production of it.
You have a large 16-member cast, too.Nelson: Sixteen playing, Id say easily over 50 roles.
My 14-year-old son is on Trumps Twitter feed.
So in a sense, were living in an evenmorepublic time.
That was my ethic.
But whenO Brotherhappened, I had the luxury of getting to choose.
Its a luxury that probably neither of us ever expected having.
I dont think you ever expected it, did you?
Nelson: And I think with that comes a degree of responsibility, not to a public.
Im talking about responsibility for myself.
Stuhlbarg: As Tim is a compass for me and has been since Ive known him.
I think this is what youre talking about.
If they want me, Im there.
Ive missed two tech rehearsals, and Doug doesnt even want me at those anyway!
He doesnt want to feel the impatient playwright wondering when were going to get on.
Im not done withWatchmenbut luckily, Im going to go back to it after we open.
I cant give any details.
You dont know this, but Ive felt terrible about it!
Stuhlbarg: Dont, because thats the process.
It is absolutely what we do.
Nelson: Hes had to deal with a lot!
Stuhlbarg: It has been challenging, but at the same time, challenging in the best way.
