Movies

‘Saul’ brothers bond over ‘Glengarry’ stage work, shared comedy instincts

BBG News

One individual exhibits a seasoned, composed demeanor, radiating an air of experienced readiness to tackle any task at hand. On the other side, there’s another who, while less polished, dives headfirst into situations, often with a dash of risk-taking. He primarily relies on his charisma and quick thinking as he pursues something that seems tantalizingly out of reach for him.

In an equally straightforward manner, one might as well be characterizing Chuck and Jimmy McGill, who are masterfully played by Michael McKean and Bob Odenkirk on “Better Call Saul”.

Currently, McKean (age 77) and Odenkirk (age 62) closely embody their characters in the play “Glengarry Glen Ross,” as they perform alongside Kieran Culkin and Bill Burr. This production is an adaptation of David Mamet’s provocative work, “Glengarry Glen Ross,” which portrays real estate salesmen who are relentlessly pursuing money, a pursuit that wears away at their very souls.

Over the past few decades, McKean has frequently appeared on stage in various plays, from those written by John Waters, Harold Pinter, and even William Shakespeare. He describes it as an enjoyable experience, stating that he can’t really offer advice to his former co-star about acting on stage. “It just seems so natural,” he adds.

At the age of 21, Odenkirk performed in a single play for an entire month in Chicago. However, when we dined together, he casually mentioned that he doesn’t recall much from that experience. He also shared that despite having read books on Shakespeare, he has never had the opportunity to watch one of his plays.

Following only a few days of previews for his first performance on Broadway, Odenkirk admits to being somewhat amazed at how effortlessly McKean and Culkin, both seasoned stage actors, seem to command the theater: Odenkirk refers to them as Broadway veterans, while he considers himself more of a novice actor. He feels like he’s receiving an unexpected education in the art of theater.

He acknowledges that it’s still not clear to him. He feels slightly out of sync, but he’s determined to catch up. McKean motivates him by sharing that the previous night, he was so engrossed in Odenkirk’s portrayal of Shelley that he nearly missed his cue.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve found myself drawn to the enlightening insights shared by actor Bryan Cranston, who spoke about attaining that tranquil state known as the “Zen zone.” In this elusive space, he explains, you’re no longer rehearsing lines, plotting motivations, or perfecting physical gestures. Instead, you’re simply living, and the performance flows effortlessly from within. I can glimpse this transcendent stage in the distance, but so far, it remains an uncharted territory for me in my acting journey.

He mentions his enthusiasm for the play being something that evolves with each performance, but he’s also pondering, “What if I begin this way?” He’s still striving to create moments similar to those in television where you have more control. However, there’s no chance to rehearse or perfect; you simply try again the next day.

Billy Odenkirk jokes that he believed he was merely working on a TV show, but it seems I’ve ended up performing on Broadway instead. As Michael McKean notes, that’s an exceptionally refined realm.

Odenkirk admits that joining such an event is enjoyable once, but since I’m not truly a part of it, it’s challenging for me. He clarifies that he doesn’t anticipate returning… unless, he adds humorously, they decide to produce a Broadway adaptation of ‘Brian’s Song’, with McKean playing the Billy Dee Williams character.

However, Odenkirk is eager to take on the stage role as he relished how “Better Call Saul” challenged his acting abilities – “that was very beneficial for me” – and he feels this new role will also be similarly advantageous. An added benefit: There are similarities between his character, Shelley Levene, and a touch of Saul.

Shelley appears overly eager and anxious; he simply can’t match Jimmy/Saul’s creativity and boldness. As Odenkirk puts it, “People often see me as a determined individual who constantly devises cunning strategies only to find myself repeatedly confronted by the harsh reality.

Television

The celebrity shared insights about the recent conclusion of the series on Monday, explaining how playing that role had left him emotionally drained, as well as expressing his aspirations regarding the “Breaking Bad” universe, with The Times.

Meanwhile, McKean takes on the character of George Aaronow, a salesman he considers as pathetic even compared to Shelley, clearly a stark contrast to Chuck McGill. However, McKean intentionally blurred lines in his early career to prevent being typecast – transforming from Lenny on “Laverne & Shirley”, to David St. Hubbins in “This Is Spinal Tap”, to Edna Turnblad (“Hairspray”) and J. Edgar Hoover (“All the Way”) on Broadway.

Despite having no prior stage experience, Odenkirk had long aspired to perform in “Glengarry”. Over two decades ago, he reached out to Mamet for permission to create a comical adaptation, where instead of land sales, the plot would revolve around pots and pans; his “Mr. Show” collaborator David Cross and Fred Willard were also intended to be part of the cast. Unfortunately, Mamet did not respond. More recently, he attempted another adaptation without the pots and pans concept, but with characters using cellphones. He aimed to include Burr in this version, yet received a decline from Mamet.

Back in the day when I got wind of the opportunity to embody characters previously played by legends like Jack Lemmon, Alan Alda, and Al Pacino, I couldn’t resist! The play, penned by Mamet, initially graced Broadway in 1984 following its London debut a year prior. It was later adapted into a film in 1992 with Lemmon taking the role of Levene. In the last two decades alone, this production has seen not one but two Broadway revivals.

What makes this show timeless is that it offers juicy roles for top-tier actors. The 2005 revival featured Liev Schreiber and Jeffrey Tambor alongside Alda, while Pacino shared the stage with Bobby Cannavale and John C. McGinley in 2012. It’s the kind of meaty part that any actor dreams of sinking their teeth into!

McKean points out that the play goes beyond flashy characters. He explains, “It delves into the topic of toxic masculinity and explores our inherent natures. It’s like a simmering pot where everyone is involved in a high-stakes game, and success serves as a measure of one’s manhood.

Awards

In a fresh twist, the second series of “Better Call Saul” centered around the tense sibling feud between Jimmy McGill, a morally ambiguous yet endearing character portrayed by Bob Odenkirk, and his respected but resentful elder brother Chuck, played by Michael McKean.

According to Odenkirk, these salesmen “have a deep passion for their work, yet it’s overwhelming them,” he remarks, emphasizing that the 40-year-old play is remarkably timely and pertinent in today’s context.

In simpler terms, he’s expressing that we’re currently in a ruthless, free-market competition with minimal oversight from the Justice Department. He suggests that businesses are only concerned with outcompeting each other for profit, while the wealth accumulates upward.

This prompts Odenkirk to inquire from McKean if he’s ever watched the 1969 documentary “Salesman,” which focuses on salesmen from the Mid-American Bible Co. selling their products door to door. The older of the two remarks, “That film paved the way for a lot of what we now appreciate in a great documentary.” A diversion occurs as they engage in conversation about various topics, including who has the more adorable pet (a less contentious topic than the ruthless world of “Glengarry”), Monty Python, comedy duo Bob and Ray, and Odenkirk’s upcoming film, “Normal.” Additionally, they reminisce about a play from Chicago in the past called “Bleacher Bums” and where they resided during their time working on “Saturday Night Live.

Even though they didn’t share the same stage on “SNL,” McKean and Odenkirk crossed paths during McKean’s tenure. A few years down the line, McKean appeared as a snobbish law professor on “Mr. Show,” a precursor to Chuck McGill, while Odenkirk’s character in that episode carried a hint of Jimmy McGill’s genetic makeup.

During our lunch, Odenkirk often praised McKean, mentioning twice that his fellow actor was getting the biggest laughs in a scene with Burr (who is also making his Broadway debut), on stage in “Glengarry”. He also reminisced about McKean’s early comedy records, exclaiming, “Hold on, let’s discuss The Credibility Gap!”, a group that featured Harry Shearer and David L. Lander, a friend from “Laverne & Shirley”. Notably, McKean can still recite lines from his favorite skits on “Mr. Show”, including “The Fad 3.

Following our meal, McKean, relaxed and slightly disheveled, adjusts his vintage Brooklyn Dodgers hat (he’d mentioned attending his first game at Ebbets Field), exudes a comfort that feels natural. Interestingly, we initially crossed paths at a diner close to his apartment. On the other hand, Odenkirk appears trim, fit, and impeccably dressed in a smart black-and-red Chicago Cubs cap.

After our meal, Odenkirk finds himself at a bank because he had recently handed his remaining money to a mariachi in the subway. He attempts to engage the security guard in some baseball chatter, but the ATM refuses to dispense cash. It’s revealed that he’d inserted his card backwards, which seems fitting for a man who feels somewhat out of place in this setting. Unlike the characters he portrays, Odenkirk remains composed and courteous. Before leaving, he takes a moment to remind them: “Don’t forget to praise Michael McKean in the story.

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2025-03-30 13:31

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