The Longest Day

by Brian Howard

This week's cover — with the cast of Brat Productions' 24-hour Bald Soprano — is one of our zaniest. And that's because Brat approached us with an offer we couldn't refuse: Procure a City Paper box and we'll show up in costume and do whatever you want. We remember Brat's first Ionesco-thon back in the '98 Fringe and since distribution kingpin Mark Burkert happened to have an honor box that was at the end of its tour of duty, we said OK, what the hell. Senior Editor Patrick Rapa tagged along to hold lights and crack jokes.

Brian Howard: How did all happen?

Patrick Rapa: This came right out of the Brat brain trust. Of course, we trust Brat. Madi Destefano, who created the whole 24-hour Bald Soprano concept, has been on our cover at least twice. She knows how to bring it. She was behind photographer Neal Santos the whole time, whipping the shivering actors into an emotional frenzy.

BH: Where was the shoot?

PR: We set up in a hilly, garbage-strewn lot outside of the current Brat practice space. If you went to Haunted Poe, it's on the other side of that building. The motorcycle guys from RevZilla came out early on to make sure we weren't, like, vandals. Nice dudes. They told us somebody was seen burning stuff in the lot the other day. We were like, oh.

BH: What kind of a look were we going for?

PR: Loosely, we wanted something striking, weird and artsy. A little danger is always good, too. Michael Alltop, Brat's producing artistic director, carried the fire. When he wasn't popping new bags of crumpled paper into the honor box and igniting them, he was throwing buckets of water on to keep it under control.

BH: How did Neal handle this left-field shoot?

PR: Photographers are all whiny divas who make a big deal about holding up a box and pushing the button on top. Neal was set down in the proper location gently like a priceless statue and pointed in the right direction.

Neal Santos

BH: But seriously.

PR: Yeah, I kid. Neal busted his ass on this one: Hauling the dirty old honor box, setting up temperamental lights and umbrellas in a freezing cold, high-wind environment — lots of on-the spot-decisions with this shoot.

BH: How were the Brats to work with?

PR: Actors really are a different breed. They were all underdressed and hypothermiating, but when the camera started clicking, they fronted like it was no big deal to be standing in high heels on a snow pile in January.

BH: Were any City Papers harmed during this shoot?

PR: A few, but it was my understanding that this would only help our circulation. With an eye-catching cover, I mean!

(bhoward@citypaper.net)