The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Steve Marrtin, Martin Short performing in Cleveland this week
Showbiz vets Steve Martin, Martin Short blend their comedy and musical talents together in touring show -- but a joint chat is a crapshoot
It’s not too often two of Hollywood’s biggest names tour outdoor venues performing music and comedy. Then again, Steve Martin and Martin Short have never been predictable. ¶ Each comedic entertainer possesses eclectic talents that, over the decades, have taken them into different worlds: Martin a successful playwright and Grammy Award-winning bluegrass banjoist and composer; Short a Tony Award winner for “Little Me.”
Martin’s new record, “The Long-Awaited Album,” is due out Sept. 22, while his latest play, “Meteor Shower,” will premiere on Broadway this fall in a production starring Emmy Award winner Amy Schumer, Keegan-Michael Key and Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti.
As for Short, in the last few years, he earned two Emmy awards (“SCTV Network 90” and “AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Mel Brooks”). The funnyman also appeared on “Damages,” “Primetime Glick” and NBC’s comedy show “Maya & Marty.”
Now the two longtime friends are teaming up for summer dates that include a performance Sept. 17 at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica in Cleveland.
The News-Herald talked to Martin recently about the unique tour and Short’s singing talents. (NOTE: Initially Short was also supposed to be in on the phone interview, but due to technical difficulties was unable to call in.)
Q
Hello Mr. Martin. Sorry about Marty, he didn’t show up. That’s his personality.
A Q A
Q A
So he didn’t hang up after you made him mad? (Laughs) No. He’s such a complicated person — he could be mad for something that took place three years ago. Naturally, people can expect plenty of comedy from this show, but what role does music play? Well, Marty always did music, and I’ve always done music, so it was a natural. Marty’s genre of music is drastically different from my genre. He’s more of a crooner, and I’m more of a folk musician. But somehow these things blend. Now that Marty isn’t on the phone I can tell you I actually think he’s a fantastic musician and singer because I used to tour with The Carpenters. I was amazed by Karen because she was never flat or had problems with her voice. And that’s the same way with Marty. He has a very appealing voice. It’s hard for him, essentially being a comedian, to pull it off, but he does it. Anyway, I so respect Marty’s musicianship.
Q
How much of the current show is planned or improvised?
A
I’d say 70/30 planned. You want to have some plan. I don’t like it when the show just goes astray and the audience feels left behind. We do adlib, but we also have solid material. The show has changed quite a bit. It’s gone from what essentially was a conversation to a real show with music and comedy and variety. It’s a little surprising that this is what we ended up doing because neither of us expected it, but once we did it, we thought, “Hey, this feels good.” And when something feels that good, you want to stick with it until it’s beat to death.
Q
The two of you have been touring in various forms for a few years. Personality-wise, why does it work?
Q
We’ve been friends for over 30 years, and I guess time either enriches a friendship or makes it fall apart, and ours has just been enriched. We have interesting comic sensibilities — slightly different and slightly the same. So I don’t know, it just works. We’re easy-going, I believe. Nobody gets upset too easily.
Q
Congratulations on “Meteor Shower” making its Broadway debut.
A
I’m so excited. The play has been in the works for like 20 years. Then we did productions of it in San Diego and Connecticut that went really well. And I gave it to Amy (Schumer), and she said she wanted to do it. She’s the impetus, and it turned out we’re getting a great cast. I just feel great about it.
Q
Finally, most of your phone interviews to promote the tour are done with Mr. Short. Looking back over the last 10 minutes, how would you characterize not having him in on this call?
A
A relief.