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(un)missed connections – 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 Planet Connections Festivity)

by Karen Tortora-Lee on May 30, 2012

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(un)missed connections

Benefiting: GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)

Produced/Written by Mark-Eugene Garcia

Directed by Rodrigo Bolanos

“(un)missed connections is a modern drama, a brief glimpse into the lives of eight strangers, brought together through chance – and Craigslist. It’s about being at the right place at the right time, or wrong time. Its about searching, online, in line, next to you, across an empty room, even on a massage table for a moment, for a connection.”

Show Times:

  • Wed 6/6/12 @ 9:00pm
  • Mon 6/11/12 @ 10:00pm
  • Tues 6/12/12 @ 7:00pm
  • Sun 6/17/12 @ 10:00pm
  • Sun 6/24/12 @ 1:00pm

Answers by Mark-Eugene Garcia

(Playwright)

 

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
How did you come up with the title for your show?

Mark-Eugene:   We actually had quite a few titles. The play is based on missed connections from Craigslist, so I originally gave it that title of Missed Connections. But the play really about isn’t missing the connection as opposed to finding them. After speaking with Rodrigo, our director, we came up with (un)missed connections.

Diánna Martin’s Question
If you were going to invite 5 people (from the past or present) to see your show – who would you invite … and why?

Mark-Eugene:   1- Armistead Maupin- because he is probably one of the biggest influences in my writing. I love his plots. I love his books. I love that, without ever meeting me, he taught me so much about who I am and how to live my life. 2&3- Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty- It was through their music that I figured out that I wanted to write theatre. 4- Randy Brunk- a fantastic actress and mentor I knew who supported me in everything I did, pushed me in my theatrical pursuits and was the inspiration for a short play I wrote. I would LOVE to see what she would say about my endeavors now. 5- Laura Linney- She is amazing, probably my favorite actress, a huge crush of mine, and I constantly seem to be one connection away from her at all times. My friends have met her. Even my ex-friends have met her. I know people she knows…She even signed an autograph for me, through them. But I never have met her. Can someone tell Ms. Linney to come see my show and connect with me?

Antonio Minino’s Question
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve made for your art and was it worth it?

Mark-Eugene:  I’d have to say that the biggest sacrifice has been most of the nights and weekends out that most others had in their twenties. How I found a partner without being social is a miracle. I’m kind of a homebody. I’d rather be writing, I guess. But considering that the play is opening soon I think the trade off was well worth it.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and can you share it with us?

Mark-Eugene:  The play originally had a very different much darker ending. In a past incarnation, a producer made a quick suggestion that perhaps (blank) should happen and (blank) shouldn’t. At first I thought, “Who the hell are you? This goes against what the play stands for and what I want the audience to walk away with.” But then I took a few breaths, swallowed my pride and thought about it. The producer had a point, and so did I. So I took a night, thought about my options, found some happy mediums and I went with the happiest medium. Like what I did there?
(Karen: Yes I do, Mark! Adorbs!)

Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?

Mark-Eugene:  I want the audience to take a look around and see who is standing nearby. When I sat at home and began reading the missed connections ads, I noticed something. These weren’t just people looking for sex or love. These were people, all nearby, who were reaching out and searching for some kind of connection. Whatever they saw in an eye wink, a smile, a quick exchange of conversation was what they were looking for. Those missed connections ads tell us as much about the writer as they do of the moment. We all are looking for connections. They can be anywhere. A train, a bedroom, a bar, a restaurant, and hopefully… in a theatre.

___

Planet Connections runs from May 30 – June 24 at The Bleecker Street Theater located at 45 Bleecker Street, New York, NY. To purchase tickets to this or any of the shows click here.

 

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