Bringing the drama home

Some wait a lifetime before they finally land a break in theater. For Gregory DeCandia, it took only four weeks. Since his recent arrival to Philadelphia, the founder of Backseat Productions has proven that dreams really do come true, as long as you’re willing to take a few risks along the way.

With minimal funding, he has perfected his craft while traveling across the continent to Boston, New Hampshire, New York and even Guatemala.

Now calling South Philly home, DeCandia’s company has acquired a partnership with the Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St., to host six shows for the 2005 season.

The cast and crew will kick off the season a bit early with the staging of Closer, a 1999 Tony Award nominee, in November.

"We support the area by putting out strong pieces of art that touch elements of the community that aren’t always touched," says Chris Butterfield, production designer for the show.

DeCandia, 26, calls Philadelphia the land of opportunity and, as one of its newest residents, has big plans for theater lovers and community residents alike.

"There is so much opportunity in Philadelphia," says DeCandia, who lives and works out of the 2400 block of South Warnock Street. "Philly seems to have the heart and seems to care about the arts in order to make them thrive."

DeCandia’s artistic journey >began in 2000 at Boston’s Emerson College. As a student, he met three others who were willing to take the risk and start up a company under his direction.

The company ran roughly 20 shows a year, mainly on Emerson’s campus. Branching out of the Boston area two years later, the group set its sights on the granddaddy of theatrical arts — New York City.

After performing a few shows at cabarets in the Big Apple, DeCandia was cast as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar at the American-Guatemalan Institute Theater.

"I was startled by the fact that the entire play was in Spanish," says the South Philly transplant, who had to learn (and later sing) the language in a matter of three weeks.

But the actor is most proud of later being chosen to create a drama department for the Colegio Interamericano, a school including kindergarten through 12th grade. DeCandia also is credited for single-handedly writing the department’s curriculum.

Guatemalans showing an interest in art usually wind up becoming architects, not artists, he notes.

"[The arts are] a nonexistent craft down there," says DeCandia. "Going to a city that doesn’t have theater and watching how those students enjoyed it was truly poetic."

Yet, his time in Guatemala City was met with some controversy.

While running a staged version of the 1985 John Hughes film The Breakfast Club, many community members deemed its themes of family and sexuality inappropriate. These issues, explains DeCandia, have always been taboo to the city’s people.

Amid the squall, DeCandia pressed on with teaching while performing in the area under the Backseat name. Once the artist’s contract with the school expired, he was off to Philadelphia.

"The city just seemed like the best fit for our type of company," he says. "I like going to new places where we don’t know anyone and try to find an audience."

The Society Hill Playhouse has been instrumental in helping his company showcase its artistic vision to the public.

The theater director gave DeCandia and company the green light after the actor described the group’s accomplishments and plays it intends to produce, including the critically acclaimed Angels in America and Frankenstein.

DeCandia has final say over which plays the company will execute, but not without serious input from the other members.

"We decide what’s in our budget and what [shows] best fit the community," he says. "The text we pick is usually very insightful and provocative, so we don’t have to dress it up with special effects."

In an effort to make itself a "stronger company," the group is seeking nonprofit status, says DeCandia, who has been the sole financial supporter for the past three years.

The company is already in negotiations for a second season.

While he’s getting comfortable in his new community, DeCandia says he wants to share his artistic abilities with local youths. He is looking to start an outreach program for which he can volunteer his time and teach his passion at area schools.

"I would really like to start reaching out to these schools and show how theater can benefit education," he says.

After his trot across the Americas, DeCandia says he is happy to settle in Philly and looks forward to experiencing the city’s hidden gems.

"I think of it as Boston without the bourgeois attitude."

Closer will run at the Society Hill Playhouse from Nov. 4-13. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at the box office or by phone at 215-923-0210.