Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
World Premiere
It Takes a Lunatic
| USA, UK, Germany | 120 MINUTES | EnglishNew York, Documentary, Drama, Art, Biography
Wynn Handman, acting teacher and co-founder/director of the American Place Theater, which upon its opening in 1962 helped establish the Off-Broadway theater community, is a champion of the unheard. Known for bringing voices worth hearing to the American stage, through his words and others’ we learn how he became such a profound influence on some of today’s best-known actors and playwrights (such as Sam Shepard).
In Billy Lyons’ heartfelt and inspiring profile, Wynn delves into his personal life story, while comments from former students such as Richard Gere, James Caan, Joel Grey, Michael Douglas, Frank Langella, and Chris Cooper show just how deep-seated an impact his work has had on American theater. Today, at the age of 96 Wynn still teaches as many classes as he did in the beginning, as genuine, outspoken, and intolerant of BS ever, as he continues to push his students to find their truth and their voice—both onstage and off.
—Brian Gordon
After the Premiere Screening: A conversation with acting teacher, artistic director and film subject Wynn Handman, actor Michael Douglas, and director Billy Lyons. Moderated by Jeremy Gerard.
In Billy Lyons’ heartfelt and inspiring profile, Wynn delves into his personal life story, while comments from former students such as Richard Gere, James Caan, Joel Grey, Michael Douglas, Frank Langella, and Chris Cooper show just how deep-seated an impact his work has had on American theater. Today, at the age of 96 Wynn still teaches as many classes as he did in the beginning, as genuine, outspoken, and intolerant of BS ever, as he continues to push his students to find their truth and their voice—both onstage and off.
—Brian Gordon
After the Premiere Screening: A conversation with acting teacher, artistic director and film subject Wynn Handman, actor Michael Douglas, and director Billy Lyons. Moderated by Jeremy Gerard.
Cast & Credits
Directed by
Billy Lyons
Billy Lyons is an actor, director, teacher, and producer living in New York City, where he's trained with and been the close assistant to Wynn Handman for many years. Lyons is a graduate of Ithaca College (BFA Acting) and has performed both regionally and Off Broadway. It Takes a Lunatic is his first film.
Director
Billy Lyons
Producer
Billy Lyons
Cinematographer
Good Baby Films, Peter Garafalo, Motomu Ishigaki
Composer
Vanessa Gould
Executive Producer
Billy Lyons, Pamela Ford, David B. Ford, Kelly Gonda, Lou Gonda
Co-Producer
Kasey Cunningham, Seth Isler, Krista Liney, Nick Solan, Susan Jane Sullivan
Co-Director
Dominic J. DeJoseph, Kim Ferraro, Seth Isler
Editor
John W. Walter
Co-Editor
Nick Solan
Cast
Michael Douglas, Richard Gere, Susan Lucci, Eric Bogosian, John Leguizamo, Woodie King, Jr.
Panelists
Billy Lyons
Billy is an actor, director, teacher, and producer living in midtown Manhattan, where he’s trained with and been the close assistant to Wynn Handman for many years. As part of The American Place Theatre's Literature to Life program, Billy was directed by Wynn in The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien, which he performed extensively in schools and communities throughout the USA, working closely with Vietnam Veterans. A graduate of Ithaca College (BFA Acting), Billy has performed both regionally and Off-Broadway at the Irish Rep. He's a proud member of AEA. It Takes a Lunatic is his first film.
Michael Douglas
A legendary actor with 50 celebrated years of film, television, theatre and producing experience, Michael Douglas, has shown an uncanny knack for projects that reflect changing trends and public concerns. He has been involved in controversial and politically influential motion pictures as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; The China Syndrome, Wall Street and Traffic, as well as such popular films as Romancing the Stone, Fatal Attraction and Marvel's Ant Man and Ant Man and the Wasp. He has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes including this year's Best Actor in comedy television series for The Kominsky Method, an Emmy and the AFI Life Achievement Award.
Wynn Handman
Contacts
Press Contact
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues
other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.
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