Randy Weiner
Randy Weiner is one of the busiest and most creative producers in town. He is one-third of Emursive, the producing group behind the Award-winning “Sleep No More” and also co-produced this season's “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812”. Randy is married to the Tony Award winning director Diane Paulus. We caught up with him for a “On The Couch” at the McKittrick Hotel, home of “Sleep No More” which also houses the new music venue The Heath and the hottest rooftop bar/restaurant Gallow Green.
What do you consider to be your best asset?
My brain.
What was your proudest moment?
I have a schizoid personality. Sometimes I feel irrationally arrogant, and sometimes I feel totally worthless. When a project is going well, I have a lot of pride. When I'm working on a project, and it's not clear how it's going to come together, I feel worthless. Right now I am at the worthless point of a few projects.
What is your favorite drink?
Arnold Palmer.
What is your favorite food?
Pizza with peppers and onions. Moose tracks ice cream a close second.
What is your favorite condiment?
Tabasco.
What is your current obsession?
My new BlackBerry Q10. I love it. I'm tired of hearing that BlackBerry is going out of business. Why can't you Iphone Android people admit you'd prefer an actual keyboard!
If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
I love my vices. My goal is to give up more of my non-vices, so I have more opportunity for vice.
What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
I really have no single accomplishment I long for. I think the shows I am interested in are typically so strange, I am always thrilled just to get each of them produced.
What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
I can tell you the thing everyone says I waste TOO LITTLE money on. Everyone who knows me begs me to buy better clothes. If you have ever seen what I wear, you know what I'm talking about. It's bad.
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
Scrolling through emails on my blackberry. Answering emails just begets more emails to answer, and emails never make me happy.
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
I am very sensitive to noise, and I sleep with a fan to make white noise. I am so addicted to my fan, I take it on trips with me and actually keep it right next to my head. I am sure the constant exposure to fan's electromagnetism will give me brain cancer. A weird answer, right!
What is the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
To love my children more than anything in the world.
What is the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
I think my parents' worst trait is that they sometimes don't forgive each other's mistakes. I think I have consciously always tried to do the opposite: to forgive anything — perhaps I forgive too much.
What in the world most thrills you?
Seeing my kids learn. My 6-year-old just learned Mary Had A Little Lamb on the piano. I melted.
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
I love pop culture. I try to never get irritated. I prefer to be amazed.
What is your favorite place in the world?
Central Park.
What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
A big brain.
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
Cats! I hate slobber.
What is your personal motto?
I have great compassion for life's difficulties and man's frailties. I read about the struggles of my cousin, Anthony Weiner, and all I can think is: “There but for the grace of God go I.”