Philly Fringe Vital Stats: Lee Benjamin Huttner
In this series, get to know your Philly Fringe artists. Today, a young’un, working on an old’un.
Name: Lee Benjamin Huttner.
Age: 22.
Where were you born? Pittsburgh.
What’s your show title?
Coriolanus, adapted from the play by William Shakespeare.
What was the first thing you stole?
I’m sure I’ve stolen before this, but the first thing I remember stealing was a dried starfish from one of those dime-a-dozen souvenir shops on the Delaware shore. I have no regrets.
What’s your favorite alcoholic beverage?
Old Fashioned if I’m in a cocktail mood, hefeweizen if I’m in a beer mood. Although, if there is a pitcher of mojito in front of me, I will not hesitate to finish it by myself.
What was the last performance you saw?
The Most Inspiring and Magnificent Tale of Alfridge Von Waddlegrave, The Greatest Actor Who Ever Trod the Boards of Earth at Underground Arts. It was just as magical as it sounds.
What’s your favorite Philly intersection?
I gotta pick a whole block: South Street between 3rd and 4th, for the following reasons: Philly Java Co, Jim’s, Alyan’s, Ishkabibble’s, Lorenzo’s, Eye’s Gallery, South St. Bagels, TLA, and, let’s not forget, Got Pole?
If you were a “Founding Father,” which one would you be?
I don’t think that Tommy Paine is usually considered a founding father, but, as Johnny Adams said, “History is to ascribe the American Revolution to Thomas Paine.” Perhaps the greatest example of the pen being mightier than the sword.
Who’s your least favorite Founder?
Hamilton lost his life in a duel. The man needed better aim.
Do you care about the Civil War Sesquicentennial?
Only because I’ll get to use the word “sesquicentennial.”
What’s the worst thing you ever did for money?
Your mom. Oh!
Who’s your favorite Phillies player?
Cole Hamels is a dreamboat, in the right light, but he can never fill the void left by Pat Burrell’s butt. Pun intended?
Do you own a gun?
I don’t like guns. I plan on firing one only if and when the Singularity is reached and the robopocalypse occurs. But even then it’ll be pretty useless once they develop a bullet-resistant titanium superalloy.
Do you have pets?
I grew up with two dogs, two cats, several hamsters, a ferret, many fish, a snake, an iguana, a number of frogs, and two toads. Currently I am not allowed animals in my apartment. But my roommate’s basically a large cat, so I can’t complain. Hi Jenny!
What’s the most disgusting thing you’ve ever seen on SEPTA?
It’s what you don’t see that’s disgusting. Just think of all those microbes.
Lee is drumming up donations to support his production of Coriolanus here. Coriolanus will play during the 2011 Philly Fringe at Studio 34, 4522 Baltimore Ave., West Philly. Tickets on sale soon!
–Nicholas Gilewicz