On the evening of July 30, something new and different happened at the Centennial Park Black Box Theatre. There, two millennial show-biz upstarts named Ben Oddo and Morey Hill launched The Ben & Morey Show, a weekly talk-variety show — just like you see on TV.
Boston native Ben and Nashville's own Morey now have six shows under their collective belt, and they return Sept. 17 with what will be their seventh installment, performed before a live audience in a venue that seats about 60. That's sufficient for now, but as word begins to spread, the lads may have to seek larger accommodations. That's because the energetic co-stars, both 2012 grads of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., seem to be on to something.
The former English majors dabbled in on-campus theatricals and later experimented as bloggers. Ben moved to Los Angeles after college, with an eye toward writing for television, but at Morey's suggestion he decided to give Nashville a try. He is currently working for a digital TV startup. "Last October, we conceived the idea over beer and realized we like to talk to people," Ben says.
"We are kind of goofy guys and like to entertain an audience," says Morey, employed by day with a public relations firm. "We have a good bit of natural repartee — chemistry — between the two of us. But also, there's a lot of cool stuff going on in Nashville, and I think almost anyone has a story, whether it's the mayor or the cook from Brown's Diner."
The show is produced by Davis Hunt, yet another personable millennial, and it's in the spirit of Letterman or Conan, featuring an engaging opening duologue and lighthearted random bits, plus interviews with interesting Nashvillians of all stripes. A video component is used as necessary to spice up the presentation.
Guests so far have included recent mayoral candidate Charles Robert Bone, media executive Rex Hammock, the Nashville Shakespeare Festival's Denice Hicks, Music City Burlesque's Freya West, cartoon producer David Campbell (Doug), Santa (of Santa's Pub), Hippie Radio's Chris Lucky, marionette artist Phillip Huber, attorney David King and film producer Coke Sams.
On occasion, the onstage antics with guests can get humorously harrowing — shades of Johnny Carson from decades ago — such as karate master Kat Fitzgerald executing martial arts takedowns on his hosts or Element Salon hairstylist Glenda Martin leading Morey through a lesson in the art of haircutting — with Ben as guinea pig.
"The format is working as it was intended, and people love to talk about themselves,"says Morey, who adds that the September shows are all booked up and the small production team is eyeing interview prospects for October.
"People don't cancel in Nashville,"says Ben. "When you chase celebrity, that inevitably leads to New York or L.A. Our thought is that the person who owns the florist should be just as interesting as the 'celebrity.' "
Meanwhile, the young comics offer a group shout-out to Rachel Hamilton and Kirk Brown of the Metro Parks Theater Division, who run the Black Box. "They have been so accommodating,"says Ben.
Not to be outdone by their TV counterparts, Ben and Morey also have an onstage house band. The offbeat presence of funk outfit Dr. Soul's Wholly Funk Band — Hicks Woolwine (bass), Mac Frith (drums), Meredith Lawrence (piano) and John Bogdal (guitar) — makes for a hip, savory counterpoint to the dynamic duo and their whimsical banter.
A website and live streaming may come later (you can find them on Facebook for now), but The Ben & Morey Show is currently a live theater proposition only, with YouTube highlights being compiled to assist in promotion.
"Who knows what we're doing in 10 years," says Ben. "For now, it's challenge enough to come up with something funny every week."
"People love Nashville these days," says Morey. "They love local — food, beer, talent — and we're all local. That's all we've got."
Email Arts@nashvillescene.com
