"The Oh in Ohio" While chill'n pool side at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas at the 2006 SXSW Film Fest I had the good fortune of meeting Sarah Kent, co-writer & lovely beautiful wife of Billy Kent, the very funny, talented, & modest director of "The Oh in Ohio"! Ironically, I had no idea at the time how 'swimming pools' would play a huge part of not only our meeting, but in "the Oh in Ohio", a comedy that adults young & old should see.
Back in the day, way back in the day in L.A., I wanted to work for the biggest writer/producer/director in the Holly-weird, just to learn the ropes & maybe, just maybe meet the cast from the TV show "Taxi". well my dreams at the time came true...
I was very fortunate to land a p.a. gig as a coffee boy slash beeper slave; slash loyal office assist to James L. Brooks on the Fox lot and on a rare occasion, I assisted him with his pool at the house.
Sure enough as the sun rises & sets, I eventually met most of the cast from "Taxi" & learned quite a bit about life & art, especially about "writing what you know", one of the most important things Jim Brooks ever suggested I do! Enter Adam Wierzbianski, the main-stay on the writing credits of "The Oh in Ohio". Somewhere between Adam, Billy & Sarah, they came up w/what reminded me in some odd way of a familiar style, much like my first mentor in the biz.
The second bit of advice that Jim Brooks gave me was "Find a loyalty & balance in the ensemble of the life of the actors that you work with & the characters they portray".
Kudos' to the cast & crew from "The Oh in Ohio", they did it! Director Billy Kent, the producers Amy Salka Robertson, Francey Grace, Miranda Bailey, the writers, & a brilliant crew & cast, especially Parker Posey, Paul Rudd, the hilarious Micha Barton, the amazing Danny DeVito, as none other than 'Wayne, the pool guy', & last & certainly not least Liza Minnelli, in what could be her come back role as 'the master of *' slash sex therapist-guru :) What a grand world premiere "OH" had at the Paramount Theatre, the oldest & most beautiful theatre in Austin; receiving a standing ovation! It was absolutely fantastic, striking a comedy cord & some very poignant questions from the standing room only audience during the 'q & a', & believe you me, Austin is one of the smartest audiences to premiere too! The loyal & humble cast & crew stretched the length of the stage, as questions & compliments were paid to a well deserving & very humble ensemble of players.
"The Oh in Ohio" not only explores sexual fantasies, while tickling the tantric funny bone, but also, busts the average stereo-type wide open; sometimes the average guy gets the babe in the end; and Cleveland never looked better. ;) I can't give the story away, ya gotta catch it on the big screen at festivals or when it's released in the cinemas & or on DVD.
Thanks to James L. Brooks for all his yrs of entertainment that he's given us, & best to Director Billy Kent, cast & crew; Billy has a big future ahead of him! See "The Oh in Ohio"! writer/actor/filmmaker: Steve Bilich