Greek Canadian Jimmy Chimarios did not anticipate the huge response his semi-autobiographical play would receive, nor that it would possess prophetic powers as the show, like its title, seems destined to go to Hollywood.
Chimarios’s production titled ‘Dimitri Goes To Hollywood’ is all set for a second run in Canada at The Registry Theatre in Kitchener on 11-14 September.
It is an exciting development bettered only by its possible adaptation into a feature film, which would mark a full circle moment for its creator.
“The script was actually written as a feature film originally,” Chimarios told Neos Kosmos, adding that it had garnered interest from production companies in Los Angeles and in Toronto.
The play is a romantic comedy that follows a 40-year-old olive harvester from a quaint village in Kerkyra (aka Corfu), who decides to realise his dream of becoming a soap opera star in LA.
“The inspiration for the show came from a goofy, funny, innocent character that I’ve always had in my mind ever since I was a child,” Chimarios said.
“I just never really knew how to create a story around him until I lived my life and experienced what I’ve experienced.”
The story is quite personal to the Greek Canadian, who himself has roots from Kerkyra through his migrant parents and has strived to make it into Hollywood.
It is his intense connection to the story that guided him to take the leap of faith and go independent upon realising an agreement with the producers would cost him control over it.
“When I saw that this was happening, I actually backed away from the negotiations and decided to take full creative control and see what I could do on my limited budget which was to create a theatre production in my hometown of Kitchener,” he said.
Chimarios went about staging the production (for which he acted as writer, producer, director and lead actor) and finally got the show up and running roughly four years on from when he completed his first draft of the script.
“Luckily my first theatre run was a success and it looks like the second run is also going to be a success,” he said.
“Because of that, I have been able to put an incredible production team together and we’re looking to once again make it into a feature film with me having full creative control.”
The actor noted that the wheels are in motion as they are working on shooting it in Canada and in a village on Kerkyra.
“Having talked with different producers in Greece has made me really happy that I’m able to bring my project to our homeland and actually hire some of the many talented people in Greece to work on my project,” he said.
“We’re in the funding phase now and we’re heading in the right direction.”
The 44-year-old highlighted that working on the project has indeed brought him closer to his Hellenic roots, giving him a renewed appreciation for his background.
“Our history, our culture and the loving hearts that Greeks have has really made me realize how lucky I am to be Greek. I’ve tried to intertwine all of these aspects into the play as well.”
While an intensely Greek-related project, the play has resonated with all people, much to the appreciation of Chimarios.
“This validates the universal message in the show of going after your dreams no matter where you’re from or who you are. I’m extremely happy that this resonated with many people of all shapes and sizes.”
