Able Quote by Alex Timbers
“When I was thinking about what we could do in terms of what production values of Broadway might be able to add to the show, I had this thought that it would be really cool if we had a coup de théâtre. What would they want? And then I was like, an amazing, enormous tuna puppet that was like 30 by 40 feet would be pretty incredible. So I called up Basil Twist, and he got really excited immediately and started sketching out his idea, and I think it's a real highlight of the show.”
About This Quote
A bold, unexpected theatrical element can transform a show, prompting collaboration and creative risk‑taking.
In simple terms: Big, surprising ideas can elevate a performance.
Key Takeaway
Embrace daring concepts and partner with specialists.
Themes
creativity
collaboration
risk
theatre
Mood
excited
playful
Type
inspirational
creative
When to use this quote
- stage design
- audience engagement
- creative brainstorming
Key Concepts
innovation
spectacle
partnership
Questions to Reflect On
- What balance between spectacle and story feels right?
- How can you test bold ideas before full rollout?
A Different Perspective
Large spectacles may overwhelm or distract from core narrative.
![“I think it all started with the tuna sandwich, and then, on the road, gearing up for New York, Nick [Kroll] and John [Mulaney] had the idea of having a tuna puppet, which became Tony Tuna, and their friend Cammi Upton designed that and did a great job.” quote by Alex Timbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/311/alex-timbers-35344_food_i-think-it-all-started-with-the-tuna-san_2259672.jpg)
![“I've worked on other shows where the sense is like, "Well, don't change it too much," you know? But on this one [ Too Much Tuna], Nick [Kroll] and John [Mulaney] - beyond being amazing performers - are also writers, and wanted to keep improving upon the show, particularly the play within a play. I…” quote by Alex Timbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/529/alex-timbers-35344_don-t-change_i-ve-worked-on-other-shows-where-the-sen_2161864.jpg)
![“I worked on it [ Too Much Tuna] for a little bit downtown and it was a great experience. I couldn't believe how enthusiastic the audience was for it. It was just extraordinary. It felt like you were at a rock concert, which was just unusual for shows at Cherry Lane, which are usually intimate…” quote by Alex Timbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/392/alex-timbers-35344_audience_i-worked-on-it-too-much-tuna-for-a-littl_1532182.jpg)
![“The show [ Too Much Tuna] changed a lot, actually, which is risky when you get positive critical feedback.” quote by Alex Timbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e77/alex-timbers-35344_changed_the-show-too-much-tuna-changed-a-lot-act_820099.jpg)
![“So much of the show [ Too Much Tuna] is improvisation, and I think that Nick [Kroll] and John [Mulaney] kind of catch each other at times, surprise each other. I think that really makes it a fun, sort of live, unique experience.” quote by Alex Timbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/64e/alex-timbers-35344_fun_so-much-of-the-show-too-much-tuna-is-imp_729345.jpg)
![“Ernie Hayes, Jimmy Lewis, and either Belton Evans or Khalil Mahdi on drums [were in Sweet Basil]. All those guys really took care of me.” quote by Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/400/jon-gordon-1655_basil_ernie-hayes-jimmy-lewis-and-either-belto_200776.jpg)
![“I got an email from Nick [Kroll] that he and John [Mulaney] were looking to put on the stage show with two of their characters from Kroll Show and could I help at all. And they were doing it [off-Broadway] at the Cherry Lane and they had been performing it at UCB, just sort of testing it out. I…” quote by Alex Timbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e0b/alex-timbers-35344_bits_i-got-an-email-from-nick-kroll-that-he-a_1269575.jpg)
