Damon Cardasis is juggling numerous projects at the moment.
A musical version of his 2017 film “Saturday Church” is currently being showcased off-Broadway, while “Mr. Scorsese,” the Apple TV+ docuseries he produced about Martin Scorsese, is set to debut later today at the New York Film Festival before its streaming release on October 17.
“I’m not only writing the musical and crafting lyrics, but I also have to switch gears to be the lead producer on a five-part docuseries about Scorsese,” Cardasis shared during a Zoom call from his apartment in New York City. “It’s a whirlwind, yet that’s exactly what I enjoy and thrive on.”
With a chuckle, he adds, “But it definitely teaches you to be careful what you wish for.”
“Saturday Church,” running at the New York Theatre Workshop until October 24, tells the story of a teenager in New York City navigating his gender and sexual identity, who finds companionship in a group of LGBTQ+ youths. Directed by Whitney White, the musical features a book co-written by Cardasis and Pulitzer Prize winner James Ijames (“Fat Ham”) alongside music and lyrics by Sia.
How do you even start producing a docuseries on Martin Scorsese?
Well, it’s like asking how you eat an elephant—one bite at a time. Initially, it began as a singular film. I produced “Arthur Miller: Writer,” Rebecca’s documentary about her father, which earned an Emmy nomination and spurred several individuals to share ideas with us. Rebecca suggested, “Marty would be phenomenal for a doc.” Naturally, we hesitated since we assumed many had already approached him. But it turns out we were correct; he had been asked countless times to make a documentary about his life and had consistently declined. I thought, “Let’s just ask him directly.” Rebecca contacted Margaret Bodde, his producing partner for documentaries and the director of his Film Foundation. Margaret responded positively and encouraged us to write him a letter explaining our vision. So Rebecca did, and he agreed to participate.
What was the experience like shooting with him?
The process began during the pandemic. Given his packed schedule, the shutdowns were surprisingly advantageous since they created an opening in his calendar. We initiated the interviews outdoors with a small crew, and as we progressed, Rebecca brought to my attention that this was not going to be a single film. Initially, we thought it might be two parts, but it ultimately expanded to five. Thankfully, due to his reputation, many people wanted to contribute; we captured insights not just from famous individuals but also from his family, childhood friends, and closest collaborators, leading to a comprehensive portrait of him.
Were there moments when he requested to stop filming due to sensitive topics?
No, never. I must highlight Rebecca’s brilliance in navigating this. I say that not just because I’m her producing partner and friend, but because she could intellectually match his level. He’s incredibly insightful, and Rebecca would engage him on subjects like “Did you see that opera?” or “Let’s discuss Italian cinema from the 1960s.” Their dynamic worked wonderfully, especially during intimate sessions with just the two of them in a room with two cameras and a boom mic. Audiences will see that he’s open and candid throughout the documentary.
When did you begin to transform “Saturday Church” into a stage musical?
It started when my agent at CAA, Kevin Lin, attended one of my Q&A sessions for the film. During a discussion, someone asked if I had considered adapting it for the stage, and afterward, he reached out to see if I’d be interested. I responded enthusiastically, “That’s the dream!” He then inquired who I would want for the music if given a choice. I knew Sia had seen the film and had even tweeted her support, saying, “Everyone should check out ‘Saturday Church.’ Great job, Damon Cardasis!” I told Kevin Sia was my ideal choice, and within two weeks, he confirmed she was on board. This all happened seven years ago.
Are you thinking about adapting the stage musical back into a film?
I would be thrilled to develop this into a big-budget film musical. One of my ambitions is to create a grand movie musical akin to “Chicago.” A well-known theater producer, renowned for her forthrightness, mentioned, “I haven’t seen an audience react like that in ages.” She noted the diversity within the crowd, ranging from a 70-year-old white theatergoer to young queer individuals and straight males. She said, “This works brilliantly in a 200-seat venue, but it can also fill arenas.” We receive videos of fans dancing to the songs in nightclubs, and I genuinely believe it would be phenomenal as a major film.
When you were initially crafting “Saturday Church,” did you envision its impact would resonate differently in light of the current political landscape targeting queer and trans communities?
It’s disheartening to see us return to such a hostile environment filled with hatred. It’s a relentless cycle and deeply distressing. However, I remain hopeful that this too shall pass. My hope is that productions like “Pose,” “Saturday Church,” and other works will provide support to the community, serve as a source of inspiration, and foster love, ensuring that the community does not feel isolated, fostering genuine allyship.
This Q&A was edited for length and clarity.
