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

Karen Tortora-Lee — Wed, 30 May 2012 16:40:43 +0000

(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.

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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.

Missed Connections: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

The Happiest Medium — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:10:07 +0000

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

Missed Connections – An Exploration into the Online Postings of Desperate Romantics

Company: Royanth Productions
Directed by: Ricky Dunlop

Drawing from the sometimes touching, oftentimes torrid (and almost always grammatically incorrect) postings on craigslist’s most notorious section, Missed Connections is a collection of the best and brightest.

Show Times:

Wed 2/22 @ 7:30 pm
Sat 2/25 @7:00 pm
Mon 2/27 @ 6:00 pm
Thu 3/1 @ 10:30 pm
Sun 3/4 @ 1:00 pm

Answers by Ricky Dunlop

(Writer, Director, Performer)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
That’s some title. How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?
Ricky: Missed Connections – An Exploration into the Online Postings of Desperate Romantics is directly inspired by the source of the material in our show. Check out Missed Connections on Craigslist.com if you don’t know what I’m talking about.

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?
Ricky: Let’s go with Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Kevin Spacey, Jackie Kennedy and JFK. Just think about all of the tension, scandals, rumors and star power in the room! Missed Connections is the perfect playground for that.

Antonio Minino’s Question
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever made for your Art and was it worth it?
Ricky: This cast has all dropped more comfortable lives elsewhere to move to New York City and work survival jobs to stay alive. This cast has been developing this show for the last 9 months without making any money off of it. Is it worth it? Oh, it will be.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and, if so, can you share it?
Ricky: I think we discovered that the Amazon Kindle is a cute little piece of technology and that some of the funniest people in the world are closet cases who workout at 24 hour gyms in the Greater Los Angeles area.

Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?
Ricky: I hope they receive a big old belly ache from laughing their faces off and walk away with a greater appreciation for the world wide web.

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?
Ricky: We would take on The Stranger to Kindness because we LOVE strangers at Missed Connections. We would be throwing the scissors because we’re all about being sharp with comedy. And let’s be honest…who throws paper? I mean, like, a paperboy does but not for a Tournament of DEAAAAATH, right?
Scissors. Final answer. Yes. Scissors…

Wonderful! Good choice! Although Paper would have won you the match … because you were challenged by Love in the Time of Chlamydia (who threw a rock at everyone). But there are more chances! Let’s see if anyone else takes on the show with the longest title in the festival (ahem – you guys). And if they do, hopefully they’ll throw paper. Then … you WIN!

Thanks Missed Connections – An Exploration into the Online Postings of Desperate Romantics for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2012 Q&A. And for playing our game! You’re officially SCISSORS 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 Missed Connections – An Exploration into the Online Postings of Desperate Romantics!

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Missed Connections: An Exploration into the Online Postings of Desperate Romantics
Company: Royanth Productions
Directed by: Ricky Dunlop

Feb 22, 7:30PM
Feb 25, 7:00PM
Feb 27, 6:00PM
Mar 01, 10:30PM
Mar 04, 1:00PM
$14.00

The Kraine Theater

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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.