Stage Talk with Rick Koster
Where every show has something to say.
The Folks Behind the Winter Cinema Series Curtain
Seven words guaranteed to make folks head for the refrigerator are, “And now a word from our sponsors!”
Not at the Garde, though. If you think about it, anyone willing to support any arts organization is doing Good Work.
Take Breezeline, the titular company behind our Breezeline Winter Cinema Series, in which the Garde will screen a rich variety of award-season-favorite movies through March. It’s a superb filmgoing experience featuring our giant screen, state-of-the-art 4k digital cinema projection, and full surround sound. Oh, and snacks and adult beverages!
We launch at 7:30 Friday with a screening of Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic and multi-layered dark comedy One Battle After Another, which earlier this week won five Golden Globe Awards including Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), Best Director (Motion Picture), Best Screenplay (Motion Picture),and Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture (Teyana Taylor).
Then, on Saturday, don’t miss a 3 p.m. showing of Blue Moon, the Richard Linklater character study of despondent lyricist Lorenz Hart as his former collaborator Richard Rodgers has a huge hit with Oklahoma!
In celebration of the series, and by way of introduction, it seemed a fun and enlightening idea to talk with Natasha Merchant, a New London native who happens to be Breezeline’s company engagement specialist — and a person who in fact has entertained on the Garde stage!
Do NOT go get snacks rather than read this interview!
The Garde: Hi, Natasha, we have a vital question to establish your qualifications to speak on behalf of Breezeline in the capacity of the Winter Film Series title sponsor. Do you like popcorn?
Natasha: Oh yes, I love popcorn! Popcorn and a film are just perfect together. You can’t really experience one without the other.
Garde: You’re going to love our popcorn. There’s a fine butter/salt component to our batches and I think you’ll be happy.
Natasha: Well, I will say that I always go for more butter anytime there’s popcorn.
Garde: If you need more melted butter, I’ll bring a pitcher of it directly to your seat! Don’t cancel the sponsorship!
Natasha: (laughs) I’m sure it will be fine.
Garde: It seems that your specific participation in Breezeline’s sponsorship is particularly appropriate inasmuch as you once performed here. Tell us about that and what the experience meant to you.
Natasha: Oh, yes, when I was in seventh or eighth grade, I learned from a friend about this opportunity to be a stage extra on a production of Beauty Lou and the Country Beast. And it was really cool because I got to perform alongside Kate McCluggage.
She’s from around here, too, and she’s a very great, wonderful actor doing very well. She was recently in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. To look back on that, and to have gotten to do a little singing and performing on the Garde stage with Kate was a great experience and opened me up to a real love of plays and films.
Garde: Talk a bit about Breezeline’s participation in this series and how you came to be a part of it.
Natasha: Even before I started at Breezeline, the company was supporting and sponsoring the Winter Cinema Series. Once I got into this role, I knew I wanted to continue the partnership because the Garde is an amazing place. Growing up, I knew it as a historical landmark, so it was already special and bigger than life to me.
But what I really love about the Garde Arts Center is their commitment to a wide variety of the arts and an ability to bring so many events to New London whether it’s a comedy show, concerts, dance performances, home for the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra — and they have so many programs and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages across the community. The Garde is always involved and supportive, and we love the chance to be a part of that, and for other similar organizations as well.
Garde: Will you attend some of the screenings?
Natasha: (laughs) Me as a fan or as aBreezeline representative? Either way, the answer is yes. On opening weekend, we’ll have a table in the lobby, and we’ll be giving away a season pass for each of the films showing. And we’ll have table events for many of the films over the course of the series with various tie-ins.
Breezeline has also donated a portion of our tickets to the New London and Waterford public libraries so patrons can request free Winter Cinema right at the information desk. And we’re doing social media giveaways of sets of two free season passes, and each comes with twenty free popcorn vouchers.
Garde: Again with the popcorn! Is it possible you took this gig so you could go to movies and eat popcorn?
Natasha: Well, that’s definitely a perk. But I really took this job because it gives me an opportunity to be able to connect with the local community. As I said, I grew up here and it’s a special place, and the Garde is part of that.
NOTE: Along with Breezeline, other Oscar-worthy support for the Winter Cinema Series comes through the kindness of The Superior Group; Secor Auto Group; Firesite Films; Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce; Conway, Londregan, Sheehan & Monaco, P.C.; Blu-Prints Unlimited, Inc; RB Kent & Son; Verizon; Provatas & McNamara, LLC; and Hall Communications and their stations WCTY, WNLC, K-HITS and WICH.
We are now dimming the lights. Let there be film!