BEYOND ‘BAD’
Fusion and Albuquerque Museum team up for staging of Emmy Award-winning drama’s pilot
Feight years, Fusion Theatre Company has collaborated with the Albuquerque Museum for its “Page to Stage: Third Thursday” series. The event is always in collaboration with a current exhibit at the museum.
On Thursday, July 20, Fusion will present a staged reading of the pilot episode for the Emmy Award-winning TV drama “Breaking Bad.”
The reading is in conjunction with the museum’s exhibit “Hollywood Southwest: New Mexico in Film & Television.”
“The reading is a rare opportunity for the public to experience the deeply literate and passionate writing that helped set this pilot episode into full production,” says Dennis Gromelski, Fusion executive director. “The narrative descriptions of the settings and scenes will be read, providing an exquisite glimpse into the mind of the creator.”
The reading is directed by co-founder Laurie Thomas and features 25 local actors and luminaries involved with the production of the TV series.
Gromelski says “Breaking Bad” series creator Vince Gilligan’s writing is incredible in the pilot.
“Albuquerque is front and center of that,” he says. “This reading is helping create a celebratory event for the film industry in Albuquerque.”
Getting from page to stage had a journey of its own.
Gromelski says Albuquerque city film liaison Ann Lerner helped out with getting approval with the script from Sony Pictures.
“Ann is amazing, and whenever I have an idea, I throw it by her,” he says. “She did all the hard work, and we got the blessing from everyone involved.”
Previous events have included a piece on Mabel Dodge Luhan and the exhibit that the museum had running in January.
“It was very pertinent to New Mexico,” he says. “The museum has a staff in place that really cares. They are interested in the secondary programming that runs with the main exhibits. It’s really neat. I think the events make visitors want to see the exhibits again. It’s a great collaboration.”
Gromelski is expecting the event to have about 500 tickets. To reserve a place, visit cabq. gov. The event is free, but a ticket is required for admission.