The Look Book

Elias Sapiro, Playwright

"I think it’s important to have a sense of humor about all things, but maybe that’s just me."

By Amy Larocca
Published Sep 10, 2007

(Photo: Jake Chessum)

How tall are you?
I’m only six two, but I come off as way taller because I’m lanky. I have very long arms and legs, and I don’t like to wear baggy clothing—I like everything to be really fitted. But I think my torso is of average size.

What are you doing today?
I’m just getting some coffee, starting my day.

It’s three in the afternoon.
I wake up a little later than most. I get more stuff done at night. I’m not a morning person at all.

What do you do at night?
I’m working on a play right now. I like dark comedies, satire, that kind of stuff. This play is called The Diary of Anne Frankenstein. It’s sort of Schindler’s List meets The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It’s about a girl created by a team of Nazi scientists during World War II. She’s meant to be the perfect Aryan female, but she winds up a Jewish hermaphrodite, so she hides.

Do you expect people to find that funny?
People laugh. It’s going to be a musical. I think it tiptoes on the right side of tastefulness.

How?
Well, I’m Jewish, so I don’t see any reason for anyone to be offended. I’m hoping to get it in the Fringe Festival at some point, maybe take it on tour in Europe. I lived in Germany for a long time, and it’s weird, people don’t have a sense of humor about that time period. It’s still a little touchy.

Which is understandable, no?
I don’t know. I think another generation will pass and things will open up. I think it’s important to have a sense of humor about all things, but maybe that’s just me.