Jack Talks THE HARD PROBLEM / NOTES WITH JACK #32

Episode 33: In this, the final episode of Notes With Jack (for at least a few months), Jack reflects on his last fourteen months, and specifically his last few weeks shooting THE COMEBACK for HBO Max. This leads the guys into a discussion about security, risk, and the future...

Episode 32: Jack is back filming in LA, and the guys kick off this weeks episode talking about Jack's 2018 production of Tom Stoppard's play THE HARD PROBLEM. This leads them into a deep dive on Jack's relationship with Tom, the way friends can help us with our blindspots, and how we use (or don't use) art to define who we are...

Episode 31: After kicking off the episode with a look back at Jack's 2009 production of Michael Jacobs's play IMPRESSIONISM, the guys find their way to the topic of AI. Jack has questions, Alan has (half baked) answers, and the guys go back and forth discussing their feelings on the purpose, potential, and meaning of artificial intelligence in the arts.

Episode 30: The guys kick off the episode talking about Jack's 2010 production of Andrew Lloyd Weber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, LOVE NEVER DIES. This leads them into a spirited discussion about taking jobs for money, collaborating with all-time greats, and better understanding how success can create a "universe of me" that ultimately hurts the work.

Episode 29: The guys kick off the episode talking about Jack's 2004 Tony Award winning production of Shakespeare's Henry IV before launching into a somewhat meandering episode that touches on all things Shakespeare. Why is it important? Why should we know it? Why don't more American's connect to it? And Jack even finds a way to loop Taylor Swift into the conversation...

Episode 28: Jack is in Connecticut preparing to head back to LA for his acting gig on THE COMEBACK. The episode starts by looking back at Jack's 2000 Broadway hit THE FULL MONTY before veering into his acting prep, then veering again into a discussion about the overlap between Jack and Alan's philosophy on being problem solvers. After a brief internet issue (around minute 28) the guys wrap up with Jack giving Alan a sort of pep talk as they rehash what Alan learned through the process of SAFE SPACE and H2L, before closing with Jack sharing his idea for a National Theater company in America...

Episode 27: Jack just got back from his first day of shooting on HBO's new season of THE COMEBACK. Unfortunately, the guys found out (after the episode was recorded) they can't really talk about it. However, thanks to some crafty editing, this episode still presents most of their conversation ranging from Jack's experience directing a televised version of THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH for American Playhouse, to the need to define your personal values as you move through an artistic career...

Episode 26: It's been nearly two weeks since our last episode and Jack has a lot to fill us in on. The guys dive right into Jack's production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC which premiered this past week at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. This leads the guys into a very craft heavy discussion about navigating short rehearsal windows, last minute notes, and Jack walks us through his rational for changing (and then changing again...) the ending to the production.

Episode 25: The guys kick off this episode talking about Richard Perry (yes, the hit record producer) mentioning Jack's performance in a 1960 student production of KISMET in his autobiography. (I know... I know... You can't make this up...) Then the guys dive into Jack's struggle with limited rehearsal for the SOUND OF MUSIC, the art (and struggle) of realizing "it's it," and the responsibility that Alan and Jack feel to their projects...

Episode 24: The guys kick off this episode announcing Jack's acting role on the new season of Lisa Kudrow's hit TV show THE COMEBACK, before pivoting to updates on his production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC, then Alan asks Jack for advice on navigating the "artistic postpartum depression" that comes with having a project released into the world...