The Upstage Interview: Tanya O'Debra

Video Didn't Kill the Radio Star

Upstage and CharPo contributor Sarah Deshaies spoke with Tanya O’Debra about Radio Star being presented as part of 2011 Fringe Festival. Below is an abridged version of the interview, edited by Estelle Rosen.  

CHARPO

I understand Radio Star is a radio detective spoof written and performed by yourself - tell us about the story. 

O’DEBRA

Basically a classic detective story but what makes it different from a normal film noir is its filthy dirty sense of  humour. Around the edges it’s like a squeaky clean show but it’s filled with some serious humour. I do live sound effects and Andrea Morielo wrote an amazing piece of music – you’d think it was written in the 30s.  

CHARPO

What compels you to write in this genre?

O’DEBRA

I’m a big fan of old movies. When I was thinking about writing a show that I could travel with  by myself, immediately  something sort of old-timey came to mind. Started listening to old time radio detective shows. Detective shows particularly have the most fodder for humour. You’ll notice old movies are rampant with sexual harassment. I  thought that was so hilarious that they could get away with that then. What  I can make fun of the most I play up a lot.

A lot of it is very silly;  a lot of it is standard detective monologues,  droning on and on. 

CHARPO

Do you think the radio play has aged well?

O’DEBRA

The really good ones have but some of them are unlistenable at this point. Our ears and imaginations move at a much faster pace than the really old shows do. I’m a huge fan of radio. Newer radio shows and podcasts are really amazing, gratifying forms of entertainment.

CHARPO

Your detective has an awesome name Nick McKitrick Private Dick – can you set the scene for us.

O’DEBRA

Nick McKitrick is  your typical drunken hard-boiled detective, Fanny Larue walks into his office one morning wanting to hire him him to find her husband’s killer. It’s a chase of a lot of red herrings. There’s a wacky New York secretary,  a dopey inventor to name just a couple. Fanny Larue is almost like a Lauren Bacall-ish  character. Her man servant is a slurping disabled character; along the way we’re not sure who  the killer is.

A lot of it is very silly;  a lot of it is standard detective monologues,  droning on and on. 

I did change one line to make everyone aware - yes – we’re all tired of Snuggies.

CHARPO

Lots of spoofs out there, did you find you had to tread a line where you weren’t falling into the typical film noir spoof set-up or was it easy to veer away from that?

O’DEBRA

I have an unusual sense of humour. Whenever I’m writing jokes it really has to make me laugh. I’ve been doing comedy for so long that I’ve heard the same kind of jokes over and over. I stay far away from that. I did make one mistake. I wrote it in 2009 and included the Snuggie in it. Now everybody’s doing Snuggie jokes. But I did change one line to make everyone aware - yes – we’re all tired of Snuggies.

CHARPO

Will the version coming to Montreal have a Snuggie joke in it?

O’DEBRA

Yes.  Since it’s part of the central plot, I  can’t take it out. I actually have a double Snuggie; my boyfriend and I wear it together. It has pockets  and 3 sleeves  - it’s so cozy.

I am the reigning Miss Fag Hag.

CHARPO

Radio Star has been nominated for 3 New York Innovative Theatre awards. Are you going to be aiming for such brass in Montreal.  

O’DEBRA

I always aim as high as possible,  but it’s hard for a comedy to win an award like that.

CHARPO

You’re a pageant winner,  tell us about that.

O’DEBRA

I am the reigning Miss Fag Hag. That means I’m the biggest fag hag in New York City. Nothing to sneeze at! Judges included John Cameron Mitchell and Leslie Jordan from Will & Grace. Very tough contest, amazingly cut-throat in a way. But I beat the 10 contestants!

Radio Star 

June 11-19 Cabaret du Mile End