08/28/2026
Meet the cast of The Minutes, a sharp, fast-paced comedy by Tracy Letts that turns a routine small-town city council meeting into a hilarious display of political absurdity, as hidden agendas clash and alliances twist unexpectedly.
In these terrific character portraits by we see two sides of these characters, the first is how they see themselves, the second is how others see them.
Richard Stiles plays Mayor Superba, head of the town council..
What’s one thing you and your character have in common — and one way you’re completely different?
One quality I hope I share with Mayor Superba is an understanding of people. Superba, like many politicians, is good at understanding what people want, and using that to get his way. One way in which I hope we are different is the way we use that understanding. Superba manipulates for his own benefit pretty freely!
What did you do to get into the mindset of your character?
Everyone has the potential to be cynical and manipulative! I try to tap into that, while remembering that most politicians don’t show all their cards until they have to.
Have you ever attended a city council or town meeting in real life? If so, what was it like?
Yes. A wildly inappropriate-to-the-location energy facility was scheduled to be built in my town, and, like many in the town, I went to express my dismay. We delayed the facility for some time, but it ended up being built anyway. It was inspiring to see so many people care, and disheartening to see those cares ignored in favor of special interest money.
Which other Big Cherry council member would your character most want to be stuck in an elevator with?
This is a tough one. Assalone and Breeding are Superba’s closest allies on the council, but one is too volatile and the other is more of a golf and money guy. I’ll say Blake! Superba enjoys Blake, who seems to be a good time, and who poses absolutely no threat to Superba.
The Minutes opens Saturday, September 5, 8pm and runs for three weekends, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm, with a Relaxed performance on 9/18 at 2pm.
Tickets are available at footlight.org
