The Happiest Medium » Festivals

The Dirty Blondes Talk About SEX

Karen Tortora-Lee — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 22:04:57 +0000

I will take any opportunity to keep Mae West‘s memory alive here on THM - I’ve worshiped her since I was a child. Not just a film actress, West was a pioneer of the stage who didn’t wait around for parts to be written for her. Nor did she shy away from the subject matter that interested her most – sex. So it just stands to reason that she would write a vehicle for herself which she could star in – and title it bluntly.

Almost a century later, I’m absolutely ecstatic that The Dirty Blondes will present a staged reading of Mae West’s infamous stage play, SEX, for a limited engagement September 29-October 2 at UNDER St. Marks, directed by Courtney Laine Self. Written by West almost 90 years ago, SEX is about a sharp-witted prostitute from Montreal’s Red Light District looking for true love. It was initially shut down in 1927 during its Broadway run, and West was jailed for “lewdness and corrupting the youth.”

I got to chat with Ashley Jacobson, the Artistic Director of The Dirty Blondes, who took a minute out of her hectic schedule to talk about sex, SEX, how some things never change – and how the things that DO change are not always what you think.

It is SO GREAT to see someone take this great play out of the trunk, dust it off, and give it a good shine. I’ve been a Mae West fan since the age of 8, so literally grew up knowing about Mae West, her work and her mission. But why don’t you go ahead and tell us a little bit about how you came to know about SEX and what made it seem like the perfect script to do as a staged reading?

Ashley Jacobson: I always grew up knowing about Mae West as well, but mostly just about her stardom/Hollywood Fame. I came across her book of plays on Amazon one day when I was looking for plays by women, and was so confused! I had no idea she had been a playwright, let alone one that was produced on Broadway. Then I just fell down the research rabbit hole and became more and more impressed by her and excited by the play’s history. She was the patron saint bad-ass we have been looking for! As a company with the name “Dirty Blondes” we are clearly interested in playing off people’s perceptions of femininity and sexuality and challenging these notions with surprising theater. Mae West literally embodies everything we think about ourselves as a company, so it seemed like the perfect thing to explore.

We also wanted to do it as a reading because we wanted it to be presented as a conversation starter, rather than a perfectly polished piece. There is a lot of meat in her play and a LOT to talk about – in terms of the play itself and what Mae West meant by all of it. There are also some problematic elements, including the way race is discussed in the play. So we wanted to present it and make sure we had the opportunity to provide the context and conversation around it. A reading seemed like the best way to accomplish all that.

There’s a lot that’s changed in the 90 years since SEX was seen by its original audience. Obviously what was considered shocking and scandalous back then is almost yawn-inducing now. Does this script hold up? And in the parts where it may not, are you playing it straight, or giving a bit of a wink-and-nod to the audience?

Ashley: The script holds up! Not just for its salaciousness, but Mae wrote some really interesting characters in her play and good characters will always hold up. The story itself, about redemption and about this woman finding her way to a new life, is a timeless story. We’re playing the script straight, letting it speak for itself but also being completely conscious of things that might be considered problematic NOW. The play still needs a “trigger warning” – and not for the same reasons it was considered problematic 90 years ago. There is a lot of talk of violence against women, some racist language – these things were considered fine then, but they certainly aren’t now. Mae West captured a moment in time with this play, and showed us how it was for women in the 20s. We’re interested in exploring that much more than the raunchiness of the story – which, you’re right, isn’t anything to bat an eye at now.

Mae West was a pioneer – a feminist long before the feminist movement. If she was around today, what updates do you think she’d be making to her work in general? And more directly – how different would SEX be if she were to write it in 2016?

Ashley: Wow! What a question! You can see that Mae West progressed as a feminist even in her own life. By the time she reached Hollywood she was one of the biggest advocates for including people of color in her films, and when she was on Broadway she insisted on casting gay & lesbian actors, even though they weren’t allowed in the union. I don’t know if I can speculate on the type of artist she would be now – although I’m sure she would be basking, enjoying the fearlessness of some fellow female performers in the comedy and TV arena – but I honestly don’t know if SEX would be all that different. I would hope it would have a better take on race relations now, but I think it would still focus on how women are continuously reduced to the lowest common denominator. I think it would still talk about the struggle to find empowerment in female sexuality, while avoiding being defined by it. Violence against women is still a serious issue, human trafficking and unfair treatment of sex workers are all important issues now and she sheds some serious light on them in her play.

The Dirty Blondes embody so much of what Mae West was herself – a feisty, strong female doing it all – creatively – herself. Talk to me about what it would be like if you could bring her back and have her come see your staged reading. Do you think she’d be honored? Pleased? Or a little threatened even?

Ashley: Oh God, that would be incredible. (Also thank you for the very nice description!). I would hope she would be honored and excited for us. I would hope that she would see how she paved the way for us to be more fearless and unapologetic – to create the theater that we aren’t seeing anywhere else. She might be a little overwhelmed by how much we intend to dissect the work in our talkbacks but I hope she would see that we are doing that because we believe that she had so much to offer; that her play, although it was widely panned by critics during its time, is actually a full and fruitful story with so much to say about being a woman then AND now. I think Mae West, were she alive today, would be a huge proponent of sisterhood and supporting women artists. There is room for all of us, and I believe that Mae West believes that. She wrote roles for herself and then cast as many people as humanly possible in her plays – she was an artists’ artist.

Finally – staged readings are fantastic. I’ve seen some where you forget you’re not watching an actual play. However, there’s always hope for bigger and better, right? In which case I’m wondering – does The Dirty Blondes have any hopes of doing a full-out production of SEX if this reading goes well?

Ashley: I guess we’ll have to see, but I think the fact that its a reading is a really big part of what we’re doing. We have scheduled some incredible talkbacks with current and retired Sex Workers, Feminist Burlesque Dancers, and an incredible Mae West historian. We really wanted to place the play at the center of a larger conversation – and sometimes you can’t do that in a full production. So presenting the piece as kind of a work-in-progress is important to us. But who knows, if we get the lightning to hit just right, there could be room for bigger aspirations!

Thanks so much for not only answering these questions, but for bringing this back to the stage. I can’t tell you how excited I am to know that new audiences will be seeing this work – even (if only for now) as just a reading!

Ashley: Thank you for such thought-provoking questions!

~~~

For a little extra fun, I’m going to leave you with some Mae West Drunk History courtesy of The Dirty Blondes themselves. Take it away, gals …

Mae West Drunk History from The Dirty Blondes on Vimeo.

~~~

FRIGID NEW YORK @ HORSE TRADE
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
THE DIRTY BLONDES

PRESENT

MAE WEST’S SEX
directed by Courtney Laine Self

September 29-October 2

UNDER St. Marks
94 St. Marks Place
(between 1 st Avenue and Avenue A)
Performances: Thursday through Sunday at 7pm
Tickets: $17
CLICK HERE to purchase

Talkback Schedule:

Kick off the opening night with some bad ass feminist poetry by Maya Osborne and guests, and stay after the show to grab a drink and talk to our amazing cast.

Friday, September 30
Native New Yorker LindaAnn Loschiavo is a journalist, dramatist and Mae West Historian.

Saturday, October 1
Juniper Fleming previously directed, produced, and performed in an all sex worker revival of SEX, at Dixon Place Theater this past June.

Sunday, October 2
Veronica Varlow is a siren born of the 1940s Fantasy of Pinup Girls and Femme Fatales. Beguiling and beautiful, Varlow weaves a spell upon her audiences like none other.

Set Yet in Motion: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:15:50 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

Set Yet in Motion

Set Yet in Motion presents ancient Greeks who must contend with the Judeo-Christian God. Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Nietzsche address the intellectual and romantic tension between them. Also, there’s onstage sex!* (*Verbal, metaphorical. Some would say that’s the sexiest kind of sex.) A good time will be had by philosophers, artists, and geeks from all walks of life.

Show Info:

Thu Feb 18, 2016 | 10:30PM
Sat Feb 20, 2016 | 2:10PM
Mon Feb 22, 2016 | 10:30PM
Sat Feb 27, 2016 | 5:30PM
Fri Mar 04, 2016 | 8:50PM

UNDER St. Marks New York, NY $15/$18

Answers by Michael Bordwell
(Director)

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Michael: God sends the great philosophers to kill Greek gods. That says it all. Plus there’s sex, drugs and…well…

2. Here’s a scenario: After the show some audience members go have a drink. What’s the part of the show you hope they’re discussing?
Michael: What happens in the woods…stays in the woods ;)

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Michael: All of the above. At first reading, I would have said the plot – but – given the amazing work the actors have done, their characters add an amazing level to drive the show with the plot.

4. In rehearsals, read-thrus, or prior incarnations, what’s the one thing someone said about the show so far that made you (or the team) the most proud?
Michael: “This is so much fun. I haven’t done theatre in three years and I am thrilled THIS is what I am returning in.” – said by one of the performers.

5. If money and resources (and even reality) were no object what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless prop, costume, effect – anything – that you would spend money on for this show?
Michael: Hover chair, an elaborate, real woods set complete with hacksawed tree trunks, and Greg Nicotero to design ALL my special effects.

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Michael: Probably seeing friends I haven’t seen in a while. That’s what’s great festivals like this – they’re the best homecoming parties/reunions with people you actually want to catch up with after 10+ years.

7. Is there a scene, a moment, a gesture … anything at all in the show that you anticipate may get a completely different reaction depending on the audience that night?
Michael: Friedrich Nietzsche…that is all.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Michael: My favorite line, without spoiling the plot… “I bumped into Jesus and he gave me booze.”

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Michael: Ummm….take my seat. :)

10. You scan the audience and you see a face that stops you dead in your tracks – who is it? And why are you shocked?
Michael: My boss…how did they find out about this…hope I keep my day job.

Well, here’s hoping your boss isn’t reading this … but trust me, I won’t tell! Still, I bet no matter who that person is, they’d be really excited to see this show, and really impress with what you do in your “other” life.

Thanks so much for answering our questions, Michael!

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out Set Yet in Motion

-*-*-

Horse Trade Theater Group will present the 10th Annual FRIGID New York Festival at The Kraine Theater (85 East 4^th Street between 2^nd Avenue and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1^st Avenue and Avenue A) February 16-March 6. All shows run 60 minutes, or less. Tickets are available for purchase in advance at http://www.horsetrade.info/

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Dandy Darkly’s Trigger Happy!: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 21:33:43 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

Dandy Darkly’s Trigger Happy!

“All American Tales of Sex and Death!”

Show Info:

Tue Feb 16, 2016 | 7:10PM
Sat Feb 20, 2016 | 8:50PM
Tue Feb 23, 2016 | 5:30PM
Fri Mar 4, 2016 | 10:30PM
Sun Mar 6, 2016 | 1:50PM

UNDER St. Marks New York, NY $10/$15

Answers by Dandy Darkly
(poet, playwright, performer, pervert)

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Dandy: Dandy Darkly typically explains his shows to friends via crude ransom letters. Really helps to encourage attendance!

2. Here’s a scenario: After the show some audience members go have a drink. What’s the part of the show you hope they’re discussing?
Dandy: I pack my storytelling performances with so much to mull over — costumes, original music, social satire. But I hope people are discussing the way I bend words around one another to spit out these perplexing paragraphs of profane (yet still incredibly pretty) poetry.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Dandy: Dandy Darkly drives his show. The nonstop pace of the spoken words set against a beautiful, hauntingly-immersive, musical soundscape pulls the audience into another world.

4. In rehearsals, read-thrus, or prior incarnations, what’s the one thing someone said about the show so far that made you (or the team) the most proud?
Dandy: I’m proudest of my work when audience members offer a stunned, “I had no idea that’s what you do.” Expect the absolute unexpected.

5. If money and resources (and even reality) were no object what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless prop, costume, effect – anything – that you would spend money on for this show?
Dandy: A pointless and luxurious prop I’d like for a show would be a massive, diamond encrusted, rocket propelled dildo that Dandy Darkly would ride side-saddle on to the stage. That would do nicely!

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Dandy: Of the international festivals I’ve performed in, I really love the FRIGID Festival. For me, this festival epitomizes the soul of what it means to be an outsider fringe artist. This is a festival where truly emerging voices are given an opportunity to flourish. Not to mention 100% of ticket sales are paid back to the artist. There’s nothing else like it in the city. Frigid is truly a throw back to an era of “art for art’s sake” that’s sorely missing from the Downtown NYC scene. I’m thrilled to see such artists express themselves and proud to be keeping St. Marks weird!

7. Is there a scene, a moment, a gesture … anything at all in the show that you anticipate may get a completely different reaction depending on the audience that night?
Dandy: There’s a pointed political call to action near the end of the show. It will be fun seeing how it plays out considering our presently passionately charged “Bernie versus Hillary” slap fight.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Dandy: “Disco roller skates on a towering Grace Joneses!”

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Dandy: One last lipstick touch up before I scare my adoring public!

10. You scan the audience and you see a face that stops you dead in your tracks – who is it? And why are you shocked?
Dandy: I’d be shocked to recognize anyone in the audience. Little known showbiz secret: Dandy Darkly is blind as Helen Keller lost in a coal mine!

Well, Dandy Darkly – that explains your last name! ”Through a Theatre Darkly” — hahaha! Well, seeing as how you won’t recognize anyone in the audience, make sure you have someone tell you if anyone amazing was out there!

Thanks so much for answering our questions, Dandy Darkly!

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out Dandy Darkly’s Trigger Happy!

-*-*-

The Extraordinary Fall of the Four-Legged Woman: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 20:27:46 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

The Extraordinary Fall of the Four-Legged Woman

produced by Flights of Fantasy East

Step right up and witness a fantastical circus sideshow! In the dusty desert of Arizona, Myrtle Corbin, The Four-Legged Woman, meets her match. This experimental musical reveals the wonders of performing and navigates what it means to be “other.”

Show Info:

Thu Feb 18, 2016 | 7:10PM
Sat Feb 20, 2016 | 6:40PM
Mon Feb 22, 2016 | 8:50PM
Sat Feb 27, 2016 | 1:40PM
Wed Mar 02, 2016 | 8:50PM

Kraine Theater New York, NY $10/$12

Answers by Madeline Wall (Director)
Lily Ali-Oshatz (Book, Music, and Lyrics)

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Maddie: I have always wanted to direct a project about different kinds of bodies, and this show really hits all the bases. It’s my favorite thing.
Lily: It’s the love story of Myrtle Corbin, the one and only four-legged woman, so it’s bound to be different, weird, and extraordinary!

2. Here’s a scenario: After the show some audience members go have a drink. What’s the part of the show you hope they’re discussing?
Maddie: Honestly, I hope they’re talking about the sweeter moments. It’s a very dark show, but there’s also a lot of joy and I hope that people leave remembering the beautiful parts. Also the music. I know that’s what will be with people after they’ve left.
Lily: I want people to be questioning how they view bodies, in terms of race, gender, and size. This show is all about the performance and presentation of identities. I hope that people are forced to think more deeply about how these identities intersect, both for the characters and for themselves. Oswald’s final scene with Myrtle really encapsulates this idea.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Maddie: Character. But maybe theme. Dammit, Lily! The characters are so influenced by the actors. But if we had to do this with a whole different cast, the show would still be about love and bodies.
Lily: Definitely character. We had a very extensive casting process and I did a lot of rewrites once we found our troupe of actors.

4. In rehearsals, read-thrus, or prior incarnations, what’s the one thing someone said about the show so far that made you (or the team) the most proud?
Maddie: One of the panelists at Musical Theatre Factory in New York when we workshopped there last October said that the work of the team was “like honey, complex and sweet.” I love that this show is a challenge because of the way it’s written as well as the subject matter. It’s about something very complicated.
Lily: People leave remembering the music which is so crazy to me because it’s an a cappella musical! For a long time I was afraid that everyone would hate that it doesn’t use any instruments besides voices, but I felt very encouraged after the Musical Theatre Factory workshop because everyone was really onboard.

5. If money and resources (and even reality) were no object what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless prop, costume, effect – anything – that you would spend money on for this show?
Maddie: Ugh. Well I went to school for film so even when I’m blocking for a black box theatre, I’m visualizing a three ring circus in the desert of Arizona. I think one of the key elements of the show is actually the large setting. The cast should be able to hear coyotes howling in the distance. So yes. I guess coyotes.
Lily: A real circus tent and midway!!! And a rotating stage because we have a whole onstage/offstage element to the blocking. And smell-o-vision! The audience should smell the “air heavy with carmel treats” that the ringmaster sings about.

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself (seeing other shows? meeting other folks)?
Maddie: All of the above! I’m just so excited that I’m getting to do exactly what I want. The fact that I’m in New York making theatre is such a crazy reality. It feels like I’ve won something.
Lily: The glass of wine after we open. No! Kidding. I want to hear from everyone about how this show affects them. We are definitely using this as a learning opportunity. And I’m very excited to meet the other artists at the festival and see how they’re using their experience at Frigid.

7. Is there a scene, a moment, a gesture … anything at all in the show that you anticipate may get a completely different reaction depending on the audience that night?
Maddie: OH YEAH. Let’s just say it’s the fall of the “Four-Legged” woman.
Lily: For sure. The legs. That moment can go so many ways.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Maddie: I just love all of them so much! When Myrtle and the whole cast sing about being “Born as someone special.”
Lily: “The light was dark one night in Arizona. The brittle stardust sunk down low.” Those are the first lyrics I wrote for the show and it all springs from that first moment of stillness.

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Maddie: I get really calm because it’s out of my hands at that point.
Lily: I look at the cast, smile and play the first pitch.

10. You scan the audience and you see a face that stops you dead in your tracks – who is it? And why are you shocked?
Maddie: Zefferelli, because he never responded to my emails.
Lily: Oskar Eustis? Artistic Director of The Public?! Why yes, I am surprised that you and your team would like to bring Extraordinary Fall to the Public. No no, drinks tonight would be fine.

Maddie, Lily, you may not have smell-o-vision in your show but this interview made me smell the midway! I can already feel the vibe of the show – sounds like this is something that would make Franco Zeffirelli and Oskar Eustis crave the front row seat of the center ring!

Thanks for answering our questions, Maddie and Lily!

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out The Extraordinary Fall of the Four-Legged Woman.

-*-*-

CHALK: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 14:54:37 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

CHALK

produced by Playpen Theatre

CHALK is a hilarious and unexpected one-man show guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages. Chalk invites audiences into a hand-drawn world where imagination is made real and anything can happen. Charlie Chaplin meets Harold and the Purple Crayon in this feel-good romantic romp sure to “Draw You In.”

Show Info:

Tue Feb 16, 2016 | 8:50PM
Sat Feb 20, 2016 | 1:40PM
Wed Feb 24, 2016 | 8:50PM
Tue Mar 01, 2016 | 5:30PM
Fri Mar 04, 2016 | 6:50PM

Kraine Theater New York, NY $5/$12/$15

Answers by Alex Curtis
(Performer & Creator)

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Alex: I always struggle with this. I tell them it’s about moving on and finding your happiness. The truth is that I made this show after a breakup of a serious relationship and a few failed less serious relationships after that. So, when I was making the show I was really drawing from my own experience in the dating scene. After that breakup, I was really, really lonely. So as I started meeting new people, I kept looking for them to solve my loneliness – and that just doesn’t work. No one wants that kind of responsibility. Eventually I realized that the only person who could solve my loneliness was me. I needed to be happy with myself first, then I could meet other people. Shel Silverstein’s The Missing Piece and the Big O has a really similar message. So, anyway, I took that journey and then translated it into a one-man silent clown play. Because it’s silent and because it’s clown, all of this isn’t in there literally. Actually, I hope that it hits different people in different ways and that everyone who comes takes something from it that makes sense to them and their lives. But this is what the show is for me.

2. Here’s a scenario: After the show some audience members go have a drink. What’s the part of the show you hope they’re discussing?
Alex: The last third of the show. To give the quick and dirty version of the plot – the play starts with a clown, alone. Then he meets this woman (she’s invisible) who comes into his world, and really rocks it. He falls in love with her, but then she leaves. And then he has to deal with that. And it’s all the stuff after that I hope that really touches people. There’s a dance, some puppetry work. Things I think express the theme in a really lovely way. And then the ending. That’s been really hard to pin down in this new version of the play – so if people fell in love with the ending particularly – it would be hugely gratifying.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Alex: I’d say plot. As much as for me the play has a strong thematic element – since I don’t have words to just say it all outright, it gets put into the story. That makes continuously moving the story forward really important and hopefully the thematic stuff comes naturally out of that.

4. In rehearsals, read-thrus, or prior incarnations, what’s the one thing someone said about the show so far that made you (or the team) the most proud?
Alex: There have been a lot of things…
After the first performance, a good friend of mine who had been going through a hard time rushed up to me to say how much CHALK had moved her. She was so happy. That moment, and others where my goofy clown play really connects with people, has been incredible.
Another moment, I was asking friends who’d seen it if they might write testimonials about CHALK that I could use for publicity material. One friend wrote, “…if you’ve ever had your heart strings pulled by a Pixar short, you’ll fall in love with CHALK.” I love Pixar. I think they’re really smart, and I love what they do. It’s such a magical balance of play and heart. To have something I made mentioned in the same sentence as my idols – that made me really proud.

5. If money and resources (and even reality) were no object what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless prop, costume, effect – anything – that you would spend money on for this show?
Alex: That’s hard, since so much of the charm of clown comes from its simplicity and the room that leaves for the audiences imagination. BUT! Oh, oh, I got something…
If the invisible woman could be a hologram of Jessica Rabbit, that would be amazing. She saunters into the space… One of the big tasks of this newest draft of CHALK has been to specify this invisible person’s physical life so she stands on her own more as a character, and we can really get her place in the story. But if we could SEE that, see HER, through some kind of 3D projection, problem solved. And so cool. Things could appear as she interacts with them…which would make the world of the play even bigger… I’m spinning with ideas for what I’d do with that production… It would be really exciting.

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Alex: I’m looking forward to meeting the audience. Clown isn’t a 4th wall style; in the show, I look out and connect with the audience constantly. I’ve been really fortunate to have friends coming in to watch rehearsals and I’ve been able to bounce off them in the rehearsal process. But clowns are really great at inspiring community, I think. Which is why it’s so wonderful to have programs out there like Clowns Without Borders, where clowning can bring a sense of joy and companionship to people in really difficult circumstances. I’m looking forward to sharing a theater with a bunch of strangers, and then hopefully meeting some of them at a bar and talking like we know one another.

7. Is there a scene, a moment, a gesture … anything at all in the show that you anticipate may get a completely different reaction depending on the audience that night?
Alex: There’s this bit in the middle of the show where I keep trying to hang things up on my coat rack, but then everything keeps falling down. I can imagine that landing really differently depending on the audience. I’ve done this show a few times and one of my best audiences was when I performed for a kids camp. The room was two-thirds kids between six and eight, and then the other third was a mix of adults. The camp counselors were in there teens and then the camp admin people were thirties and up. That show was magic. The kids ate up all the silly parts of the play, and then the adults got the parts that were more emotional. By themselves grown ups can be sort of uptight sometimes, but kids are so free in their reactions. That’s a part of the play that’s pretty silly, so I think it will depend on how loose the audience is. (Or how young at heart!)

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Alex: The play itself doesn’t have any dialogue. But I think the curtain speech is pretty good. I like to know where the fire exits are…

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Alex: Triple check my props. If I start the show and don’t have something, there’s no going back and I’m screwed. Also, for this run my girlfriend (we’ve been together a year – she’s wonderful!) will be helping backstage. So we’ll probably have a moment for a kiss and “break legs!” before we start, which will be a great way to get the show started.

10. You scan the audience and you see a face that stops you dead in your tracks – who is it? And why are you shocked?
Alex: My first thought was the ex-girlfriend I mentioned who broke my heart years ago. It wasn’t a good break up, and we don’t speak anymore. To see her in the audience would be a shock for sure.
My next thought was Harrison Ford. I love Star Wars and Indiana Jones has been a hero of mine forever. Then for him to be watching my clown show, c’mon, that’d be incredible.
I’ve also invited Bill Irwin and David Shiner, who are the famous clowns performing Old Hats at the Signature Theater right now. I love their work, and I know it’s a long shot, but I really hope they come.

Well, Alex, you never know – even a long shot is a shot! So be it Bill Irwin and David Shiner … or even Harrison Ford … there’s a chance they’ll make it out to FRIGID to see what you’ve created with CHALK.
Thanks so much for answering our questions, Alex!

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out CHALK.

-*-*-

All is Fine in Sunny Florida: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 17:54:48 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

All is Fine in Sunny Florida

produced by Hub Theatricals

Florida is a crazy state. This play stages TRUE “#FloridaMan” stories and shows you why you should avoid it. Also 98% of this play is fully true….seriously and some have happened to the author.

Show Info:

Fri Feb 19, 2016 | 5:10PM
Mon Feb 22, 2016 | 10:30PM
Sat Feb 27, 2016 | 5:00PM
Sun Feb 28, 2016 | 1:50PM
Sat Mar 05, 2016 | 6:40PM

Kraine Theater New York, NY $18

Answers by Mark Levy
(Writer and Actor)

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Mark: I always talk about how insane Florida is, this is true stories and it’s dark, honest and funny as hell.

2. Here’s a scenario: After the show some audience members go have a drink. What’s the part of the show you hope they’re discussing?
Mark: The Turkey and what is real (Honestly 98% is true).

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Mark: This is complicated. As the play is all based off of true stories plot is huge and so is Character. They are all hyper specific to Florida, ALL OF FLORIDA.

4. In rehearsals, read-thrus, or prior incarnations, what’s the one thing someone said about the show so far that made you (or the team) the most proud?
Mark: “You must’ve really combed Twitter, reddit and Buzz feed for this information”.

5. If money and resources (and even reality) were no object what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless prop, costume, effect – anything – that you would spend money on for this show?
Mark: I reference my area of the stage as a porch many times in the play. I’d want a porch and a rocking chair. Also, part of the play takes place in a carnival, would really love a dunk tank because It’s a dunk tank….they are fun.

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Mark: FRIGID is known for bold and I look forward to seeing these shows. And the Mayberry show sounds funny too.

7. Is there a scene, a moment, a gesture … anything at all in the show that you anticipate may get a completely different reaction depending on the audience that night?
Mark: The end of the radio station scene.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Mark: “Florida gives you lemons, and you take those lemons and you make Orange juice.”

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Mark: I tell everyone I got their back. I have a background in improv, it’s good form.

10. You scan the audience and you see a face that stops you dead in your tracks – who is it? And why are you shocked?
Mark: The unfrozen head of Walt Disney because he’s dead and the show has some dangerous Disney talk.

Wow, Mark, many people have mentioned being shocked to see a full person, but you’re the first to just get shocked by a head! Of course, since we all know the Walt-Disney-Frozen-Head story, it makes sense. THAT would make a funny #floridaman story though, right? Florida Man Attends FRIGID Show With Head Of Walt Disney!

Thanks so much for answering our questions, Mark!

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out All is Fine in Sunny Florida.

-*-*-

The BYU/Berkeley Plot: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Sun, 07 Feb 2016 16:54:59 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

The BYU/Berkeley Plot

“Brigham Young University and UC Berkeley couldn’t be more different. They’re the crispy ends of the higher education banana, and Ben Abbott went to both. But while trading Book of Mormon classes for angry protest rallies, he may have stumbled upon a shocking conspiracy linking the two! (Spoiler: It’s aliens.)”

Show Info:

Mon Feb 22, 2016 | 5:30PM
Thu Feb 25, 2016 | 10:30PM
Sat Feb 27, 2016 | 7:10PM
Wed Mar 02, 2016 | 7:10PM
Fri Mar 04, 2016 | 5:30PM
Sun Mar 06, 2016 | 12:10PM

Under St. Marks New York, NY $10/$15

Answers by Ben Abbott
(writer and performer)

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Ben: I started school at BYU, but finished at UC Berkeley. They are both just such amazingly weird places that are so different from each other but with surprising similarities. I’ve always known I wanted to write a show about that transition from one kind of crazy to another. Also there’s a thing about aliens and how the two schools are caught up in a conspiracy to fool the public and protect the world from invasion, so I guess I can only say the show is semi-autobiographical.

2. Here’s a scenario: After the show some audience members go have a drink. What’s the part of the show you hope they’re discussing?
Ben: I want them to not know what was true and what wasn’t. There are some things that will be obvious but I’d love for them to be trying to dissect when exactly it went off the rails. And laughing!

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Ben: Well, “plot” is in the title, but I think it’s at least a combination of plot and character. There are some great stories, but you wouldn’t care about the crazy things happening (both real and imagined) if you weren’t invested in the character.

4. In rehearsals, read-thrus, or prior incarnations, what’s the one thing someone said about the show so far that made you (or the team) the most proud?
Ben: I think “you actually had me convinced about the fake conspiracy” is the best. Also, someone said “there are parts of this that remind of stand-up,” which is a huge compliment for me because I admire good stand-up comedians to the moon.

5. If money and resources (and even reality) were no object what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless prop, costume, effect – anything – that you would spend money on for this show?
Ben: Well, I think special effects to take the audience through the inter-dimensional vortex would be vital. I also think the aliens should make an appearance, flying saucer and all.

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Ben: This is my third time at FRIGID, and second as a performer. Without a doubt, the most exciting thing to me is the people. Being around so much active creative energy is hugely inspiring. I always not only get ideas for shows I want to write while I’m around them but this huge boost of excitement to make them happen.

7. Is there a scene, a moment, a gesture … anything at all in the show that you anticipate may get a completely different reaction depending on the audience that night?
Ben: Anyone who’s gone to either of these schools will have a particularly unique experience. Talking about (and maybe making a little fun of) BYU or Berkeley to people who don’t know anything about it is totally different from reminiscing about a shared experience. Either way it’ll be fun.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Ben: “It was intimate! It was passionate! We never kissed with tongue.”

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Ben: Review the whole thing in my head as fast as I can. Getting lost in your own one-man show is a special kind of hell.

10. You scan the audience and you see a face that stops you dead in your tracks – who is it? And why are you shocked?
Ben: The ex-girlfriend I talk about in the show. I haven’t seen her in 10 years, but that would be paralyzing because I’d only be able to hear it through her ears. Also that whole section is only like, 85% factual, so I’m not sure how that would go.

You’re not the first to say that, Ben! Seems like a lot of FRIGID folks are either hoping like heck that their exes are NOT there, or kinda hoping they are. Maybe it should be a theme one year, “bring back the exes”. But for your sake, and the sake of your show, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that she doesn’t show up.

Thanks so much for answering our questions, Ben!

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out The BYU/Berkeley Plot.

-*-*-

Sprucehaven B: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 21:57:02 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

Sprucehaven B

produced by Rising Sun Performance Company

The award winning, critically acclaimed Rising Sun Performance Company returns to FRIGID with a tale of heartbreak, madness, and horror. Isabel’s world is forever altered over the course of two nights separated by decades in a desolate Maine cabin. If only she could hear three little words…

Show Info:

Wed Feb 17, 2016 | 5:30PM
Sun Feb 21, 2016 | 5:10PM
Tue Feb 23, 2016 | 7:10PM
Fri Feb 26, 2016 | 8:30PM
Thu Mar 03, 2016 | 10:30PM

Kraine Theater New York, NY $14/$18

Answers by Samantha Turret
(actor:Young Isabel)

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Samantha: It’s about family, love, and trust…and the way Isabel’s past alters her present opinions about all of those things and more. Not for the light of heart.

2. Here’s a scenario: After the show some audience members go have a drink. What’s the part of the show you hope they’re discussing?
Samantha: The ending. No spoilers!

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Samantha: Character and plot I would say!

4. In rehearsals, read-thrus, or prior incarnations, what’s the one thing someone said about the show so far that made you (or the team) the most proud?
Samantha: The other night Richie posted this on Facebook and I was truly touched, “It was fight night for Sprucehaven B rehearsals. And …. well…. I just got my butt kicked by my …. “daughter.” Such a little talent you are, my dear Samantha Turret. I don’t hold any of my bruises, sprains, or pulled muscles. lol. And of course the perfect ending to my night was a stiff drink. Thanks to fight choreographer Monica Blaze Leavitt!”

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Samantha: I’ve never done frigid before, so I’m excited for a new experience!

7. Is there a scene, a moment, a gesture … anything at all in the show that you anticipate may get a completely different reaction depending on the audience that night?
Samantha: I think the violence could effect everyone in vastly different ways.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Samantha: All of them, the script is honestly pure genius.

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Samantha: Take up as much space as I can with my arms outstretched. This position is supposed to increase confidence by raising your testosterone levels!

10. You scan the audience and you see a face that stops you dead in your tracks – who is it? And why are you shocked?
Samantha: My ex boyfriend, cause that jerk never saw any of my shows!

Well, Samantha, there’s a reason they call them “ex”es right? But I’m sure if he DOES show up, he’ll be mezmerized by your performance! Thanks so much for answering our questions!

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out Sprucehaven B.

-*-*-

Thank You for Waiting: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 21:00:11 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

Thank You for Waiting

Thank You for Waiting follows Kate and Eddie, two estranged friends who unexpectedly meet in a therapist’s waiting room after a year apart. As they confront a shared trauma, a delicate dance begins between who they were, and who they have become. Thank You For Waiting explores mental health, loss, and the dynamic nature of friendship.

Show Info:

Thu Feb 18, 2016 | 10:30PM
Wed Feb 24, 2016 | 7:10PM
Sat Feb 27, 2016 | 6:40PM
Wed Mar 02, 2016 | 10:30PM
Sat Mar 05, 2016 | 12:00PM

Kraine Theater New York, NY $15

Answers by Marc Franklin (Playwright and Actor)
Kasey Brown (Playwright and Actor)

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Marc: Thank You for Waiting is about two friends who are in the middle of a tragedy and are doing a very poor job of coping while trying to navigate through the awkwardness of their difficult friendship. The best analogy would be it’s as if GIRLS met RABBIT HOLE.
Kasey: The play is about two friends who have struggled to heal after a tragedy. They’re forced together by chance, and must decide if their friendship is worth fighting for.

2. Here’s a scenario: After the show some audience members go have a drink. What’s the part of the show you hope they’re discussing?
Marc: Which character they sided with – In this play, there isn’t a right and wrong, only shades of grey, so I’d hope for people to argue with who they related to.
Kasey: If the characters did the ‘right thing’ or not. Friendships are complicated, and oftentimes when they change it’s difficult to cope with that.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Marc: Character. This play is just two people and one scene of watching two people navigate a complex conflict/relationship in real time throughout the course of the show.
Kasey: Agreed. Character is definitely the driving force of the show. You see two very different people trying to figure out one challenging friendship.

4. In rehearsals, read-thrus, or prior incarnations, what’s the one thing someone said about the show so far that made you (or the team) the most proud?
Marc: As writers creating their first show, I think hearing everyone talk about these characters completely independently of us as creators makes us very proud! It’s thrilling to see the characters have a life of their own and a life that resonates with audience members.
Kasey: That it’s truthful. That’s been our biggest intention; to create a show that feels honest, truthful, and indicative of the human experience.

5. If money and resources (and even reality) were no object what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless prop, costume, effect – anything – that you would spend money on for this show?
Marc: We would spend our money on making this therapist’s office as real as possible. These characters are going through such a personal, intimate conflict that making the space of the play as specific as possible would help to make the experience as concrete and thus personal to the audience.
Kasey: A water bubbler. And a magic couch that weighed five pounds and folded into a tiny cube!

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Marc: Frigid showcases a wide diversity of work – We’re really excited to see the other shows and interact with the other artists!
Kasey: I can’t wait to see what other artists are doing. I was in “Heart of Oak” last year, and the productions at last year’s Frigid were wonderful.

7. Is there a scene, a moment, a gesture … anything at all in the show that you anticipate may get a completely different reaction depending on the audience that night?
Marc: I think the pauses will get a different reaction each night. As silences, they’re the audiences opportunity to inject their own thoughts into the character’s mind and depending on who they root for, could cause different reactions.
Kasey: There’s a long monologue where Kate reveals the inner workings of her mind. Is it overwhelming? Funny? Sad? I’m excited to see how the audience reacts.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Marc: Kasey, I defer to you! We have too many babies for me to pick one!
Kasey: My favorite line is Eddie’s- “It’s like (sings Drake song) ‘Started from the bottom now we’re here.’ Except you’re still at the bottom.”

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Marc: Chat with each other! Becoming super connected is really important for us to begin.
Kasey: Before we begin we usually do a Meisner exercise to get into character and establish the connection between Kate and Eddie.

10. You scan the audience and you see a face that stops you dead in your tracks – who is it? And why are you shocked?
Marc: Annie Baker! Her work has been a huge inspiration to us in creating this play so seeing her in the audience would be wild… and terrifying!
Kasey: Amy Poehler! She went to Boston College as well, and we’ve invited her to the show. If she comes, it would be a frigid miracle!

Wouldn’t it be fantastic if Annie Baker showed up and had Amy Poehler with her? And wouldn’t it be even funnier if, before the show, they decided to iron out some huge awkwardness between them … and then the lights came up, and they watched your show, and whatever differences they had melted away in the glow of THEATRE? Wow. You would have saved a friendship that may not even yet exist! Good on you!

Thanks so much for answering our questions, Marc and Kasey.

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out Thank You for Waiting.

-*-*-

Acute…Girl: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 21:57:11 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

Acute…Girl

produced by CMC Theatrical

How much bullsh*t can a girl put up with just to have nice things to wear? Come and listen to her stories told in a heartbreakingly hilarious way: between amateur modeling gigs and mail-in beauty pageant, what could possibly go wrong?

Show Info:

Wed Feb 17, 2016 | 7:10PM
Sun Feb 21, 2016 | 1:50PM
Thu Feb 25, 2016 | 5:30PM
Tue Mar 01, 2016 | 7:10PM
Thu Mar 03, 2016 | 8:50PM

Kraine Theater New York, NY $15/$18

Answers by Julia Sun
(Writer & Performer )

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Julia: It’s about the insecurity and vainness that every single one of us has. We all want to appear better than we are, so how much bullsh*t can one put up with to present a better version of him/herself? Oh, and it’s meant to be a comedy : )

2. Here’s a scenario: After the show some audience members go have a drink. What’s the part of the show you hope they’re discussing?
Julia: I hope they’ll discuss their own stories relating to my character’s – the stories are inside everyone already. I guess it also doesn’t hurt if they remember my name and look for me online (I’m at www.juliasun.tv)

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Julia: The character drives the show – not because it’s an one-woman show, but because the persona is always crucial.

4. In rehearsals, read-thrus, or prior incarnations, what’s the one thing someone said about the show so far that made you (or the team) the most proud?
Julia: Someone sent me this text after a show and I was beyond proud: “you’re sooo hilarious when you sing and dance, I could’t stop laughing, I almost fell off my chair!!! =D ”

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Julia: Do free food and parties count?

7. Is there a scene, a moment, a gesture … anything at all in the show that you anticipate may get a completely different reaction depending on the audience that night?
Julia: Everyone will laugh at the comedy, but the drama part, that depends on the people. That being said, drama can be funny, too.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Julia: “I looked at him as if I saw the most delicious cheesecake in the world, and then I asked…”

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Julia: Oh, you know, being happy, being scared, being unsure how I got here in the first place and then glad I did.

10. You scan the audience and you see a face that stops you dead in your tracks – who is it? And why are you shocked?
Julia: My high school crush (name withheld on purpose). I don’t think he ever liked me back and I’d be shocked if he came, awww~

Well, Julia, you never know. Maybe he actually DID have a crush on you too … and he was waiting for the perfect moment to approach A Cute Girl like you! Let’s see if he buys a ticket!

Thanks so much for answering our questions, Julia!

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out Acute…Girl.

-*-*-

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