Q & A with Charlotte Squawks creators Mike Collins and Brian Kahn

May 26, 2018 / Blog
By Becky Bereiter

What is Charlotte Squawks? It’s “Saturday Night Live” meets Broadway meets our beloved Queen City! Celebrating the 14th edition of Squawks, the creative team of Mike Collins and Brian Kahn collaborate with the area's most talented performers to make fun of pop-culture, sports, life and politics – both local and national.

Ahead of its return to Booth Playhouse May 31-June 24, we sat down with Mike and Brian for more on what they’re working on this year.

Q: What can we expect/look forward to this year at Charlotte Squawks 14: O Fourteena!

Brian: Not sure what you should expect, but we expect nasty letters to the editor, scathing reviews from newspaper critics, and local politicians, athletes and business leaders squirming in their seats. I guess you should look forward to us ruining many of your favorite pop, rock and Broadways songs?    

Mike: After all these years, you still have expectations? Shame on you.

Q: Any new topics you’re trying to work into this year’s lineup?

Brian: Nope. Nothing’s happened. Except maybe … the impending Panthers sale, the hacking of Mecklenburg County, our failed Amazon bid, CMS buses catching on fire, the new (baby) faces on City Council, the unfolding Facebook scandal, Roy Cooper vetoing everything, the Me Too Movement, the gold statute missing from Providence and Providence, the opening of light rail to UNCC, bikes strewn everywhere, and whatever is going on in Washington, D.C.

Mike: Wow. Brian really keeps up with the news. I had no idea all those things had happened, but I can tell you what Victor Newman is up to on “The Young and the Restless.”

Q: Squawks has been around for a treasured 14 years. Why do you think it resonates so well with Charlotteans?

Mike: It resonates because all of our songs are sung in the key of C – no sharps or flats – just right – so that everyone can sing along. Now, if they would just learn the words before they came to the theater, we’d be in business.

Brian: Well, we typically have the show in June and the theater is air-conditioned, so that’s a big draw. We are also bitter sarcastic people who have a lot of pent-up anger from having to be polite all of the time – kinda like most of the folks that live here.

Q: What would you say to someone who’s never been to Squawks, to convince them otherwise?

Brian: I’d like to say something like “Hey, they’re giving away free cars!” But if I have to say something that’s actually true, maybe I’d tell you that we aren’t your typical theater experience. If you like comedy and don’t offend easily, give us a shot. And we also sell liquor. 

Mike: We’ve been doing this show for 14 years just so it would be good enough for you to finally give us a shot. You have nothing to lose because, as Brian says, the theater is air conditioned and it’s dark. You can always take a nap and, if you come to a matinee, you can avoid yardwork!

 

Well... that was both entertaining and intriguing and exactly why this show is selling out FAST - grab your tickets today!