Big Girls Don’t Cry: Laughing On The Outside (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Katelyn Manfre — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:09:51 +0000

Canadian import Rachelle Elie enjoys being a woman. She especially enjoys her run-of-the-mill feminine pastimes: trying on sparkly dresses with eye makeup to match, dancing seductively to Ke$ha on a fur carpet, and hydrating with imported bottled water. She’s married to an Obstetrician/Gynecologist, has two lovely sons, and is, for all intents and purposes, living the dream.

Served with a side of audience discomfort, Elie’s solo show, Big Girls Don’t Cry (playing at The Red Room), is an insightful, if slightly off-putting insight into the psyche of the Modern Woman. Elie appears in what looks like a doll’s dress that lost a fight with a Bedazzler, knee-highs and platform slippers. She gapes and gasps her way through her basic biography, stopping every so often to sing or dance in a non-sequitur celebration of her womanhood. Questions are posed to the audience, and as she stares hard into each person’s eyes, she dares us to not be jealous of her in all her sparkle, and the beautiful life she has.

Rachelle Elie in Big Girls Don't Cry (photo by David Leyes)

But Elie’s not bragging. She’s smarter than that. The comedienne, with a strong background in dance, drama, and clowning, is actually a social commentator. And though her thesis statement isn’t shared until well into the piece (followed, of course, by an in-your-face gangster rap), we are fortunate enough to watch her slowly unravel her vacant St epford persona throughout. The moments where things come apart–noted easily by the rugged octave drop in Elie’s voice–are the most vibrant, the most alive.

This is performance art. Interactive and thought-provoking, Elie will get in audience member’s faces, crack jokes at their expense, and bring them into her wacked-out world. But it’s a world we are only too fortunate enough to be in. Elie’s message stems from her time working in Kenya, the founder of an artists’ collective. She slowly works these Kenyan women into her story, and they become the pin that finally pops the bubble. These are women that don’t get to worry about lip-gloss or Ke$ha. And while not beating us over the head with the message, Elie reminds us of our good fortune; how lucky we are to be big girls in the here and now.

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Big Girls Don’t Cry

Company: Crowning Monkey Productions

Written by: Rachelle Elie

Mar 01, 6:30PM

Mar 03, 6:30PM

Mar 04, 2:00PM

$16.00

The Red Room

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The 2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL will run February 22-March 4 at The Kraine Theater & The Red Room (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1st Ave and Ave A). Tickets to all shows may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444.

Big Girls Don’t Cry: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

The Happiest Medium — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:07:13 +0000

Five Questions. Five Answers. And One Big Decision: Rock, Paper, Or Scissors?

Big Girls Don’t Cry

Company: Crowning Monkey Productions
Written by: Rachelle Elie

Fringe veteran and winner of the 2008 Ottawa Fringe Festival Outstanding Comedy Award, Rachelle Elie returns with a dazzling new show about Haitian fathers, Kenyan night clubs, and aging Barbies.

Show Times:

Fri 2/24 @ 8:00pm
Sun 2/26 @ 6:30pm
Mon 2/27 @ 6:30pm
Thu 3/1 @ 6:30pm
Sun 3/3 @ 6:30pm
Sun 3/4 @ 2:00pm

Answers by Rachelle Elie

(Writer / Performer)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
That’s some title. How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?
Rachelle: INTRO… I had just returned from Kenya and found the experience left me feeling overwhelmed with tears of joy and sadness. When girls grow up, have kids, and get married, and pursue a satisfying carreer…or not get married, not have kids but pursue a career, we’re expected to get our emotions together and we’re not supposed to cry. The reality is that we do cry and we want to cry. We also live in a society where people shut themselves off from their emotions and my job is to delve deeply into feelings and share them with the world.

Diánna Martin’s Question
If you were going to invite five people, anyone from past and present, to see your FRIGID show – who would you invite and why?
Rachelle: My father, who passed away two years ago. He was an inspiration and hugely supportive of my work.
Lady Gaga, an original and a huge risk-taker.
Sam Kinison. I love his comedy and the quote I always have in my head is “get your f*** personality in line!”
My husband, a doctor who’s putting his job on hold, taking care of our kids for ten days while I’m following my dream.
Picasso, another risk-taker, prolific, and my favorite artist.

Antonio Minino’s Question
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever made for your Art and was it worth it?
Rachelle: Every time I leave my family it’s a big sacrifice. My art was my first child though so the moments doing my work are precious and rewarding.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and, if so, can you share it?
Rachelle: I have been exploring my heritage in this show, analyzing and dissecting that part of my personality. My dual American-Haitian heritage has shaped who I am and influenced choices throughout my life, and in developing this piece I have (re?) discovered that aspect.

Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?
Rachelle: I hope they leave with a new awareness of what you see is not necessarily what you get, and that nature and nurture play strong, dual roles. I play with what lies beneath my own stereotype.

Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH

THM Bonus Question – We’re serious this year!
In the THM virtual Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH which FRIGID Show do you take on? And what do you throw?

Rachelle:

I take on Little Lady and send her PAPER.

Now that’s quite a pairing – Little Lady and Big Girl! Why, it’s almost fate! Unfortunately, it’s not in your favor, as Little Lady chose SCISSORS which cuts you up to Deaaaaath. But! You were also challenged by Love in the Time of Chlamydia and Intium/Finis. They both threw ROCK … which leaves you with two wins! No reason for this Big Girl to Cry … unless it’s tears of joy. Congratulations!

Thanks Big Girls Don’t Cry for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2012 Q&A. And for playing our game! You’re officially PAPER in any and all challenges. You may win, you may not – who knows! This is how it works in the crazy world of the Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH!

For the rest of you don’t forget to check out Big Girls Don’t Cry!

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