The Value Of Access

By Rob Christopher in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 11, 2009 3:40PM

Want to interview Oscar-nominee Michael Shannon in Venice? $1500, please. Want to see him star in the world premiere of a new play here in Chicago? $30. Chicago's sure been getting dissed a lot lately. But a recent news item suggests that perhaps you can still get more bang for your buck right here.

Shannon's new movie is My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done, directed by Werner Herzog and co-starring Willem Dafoe. But in a sign of our cash-strapped times, when it showed at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month some journalists were asked to pony up $1500 to participate in the press junket. One publicist explained, "This doesn’t usually happen, but when you’re dealing with some of the smaller territories such as in East Europe, those costs do get passed on ... It’s just the way things work. It’s not a negative thing.” Another journalist is quoted as saying, "I’m not sure about $1,500 to interview Michael Shannon but I’d happily pay $5,000 to get a slot with Brad Pitt.”

Meanwhile Shannon is back in town at his old stomping grounds, A Red Orchid Theatre, where he is a company member. Tonight is the Opening Night Gala of their new production Mistakes Were Made, a frantic satire of Broadway wheeling and dealing. It's also a virtual showcase for Shannon, who is alone onstage for nearly the entire show. And a ticket will only set you back $30. Not a bad value at all.

Mistakes Were Made runs at A Red Orchid Theatre through October 18