Judge, Yuri, & Executioner: The Verdict Is In (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Michelle Augello-Page — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 16:48:48 +0000

Judge, Yuri, & Executioner is a simple, straightforward, character-driven play, and therein lies its brilliance. Written by Ed Malin, directed by DeLisa White, and starring Mac Rogers, this play is the work of three formidable talents. Incredibly strong writing and stellar acting carry the play forward, captivating the audience with wit, humor, and intelligence, as the character of Zach searches his past to find meaning in his present, illuminating the narrative with wonderfully told and expertly woven stories from his life.

Mac Rogers (photo by Lauren Arneson)

The play begins in the audience, with Zach descending towards the stage, stopping and laboring to catch his breath, moving slowly, carefully; though Mac Rogers is young, he captures the feeling of being a man of advanced age. On stage, he appears in the light wearing a leather collar, a leopard print robe, and fishnet stockings. He surveys the stage, holding some rope, looking for a place in which to hang himself. We soon discover that Zach is an 85 year old masochist whose lover has left him. He is in despair, wondering if he, a kinky senior citizen with a penchant for dominant older women, will ever be able to find happiness again.

He decides to leave a note, and thus the play unfolds, revealing Zach’s journey of self-discovery, exploring the path of his life by examining his deepest desires, as he searches for a reason to continue living. Judge, Yuri, & Executioner is an exceptional play; it is theater stripped to its barest essentials: excellent acting, strong writing, head, heart and soul. You won’t want to miss this one!

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Judge, Yuri, & Executioner

Starring Mac Rogers

Directed by DeLisa White

Written by Ed Malin

Feb 26, 12:30PM

Mar 01, 9:30PM

Mar 03, 8:00PM

$8.00 / $10.00

Red Room Theater

www.temeritytheatre.org

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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.

Judge, Yuri & Executioner: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

The Happiest Medium — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:05:40 +0000

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

Mac Rogers (photo by Lauren Arneson)

Judge, Yuri & Executioner

Company: Temerity Theatre Company
Directed by: DeLisa White

Zack is an 85-year-old masochist who prefers older women. His girlfriend just left him. Where can he find a kinky senior citizen now? Time to tell his darkly funny life story!

Show Times:

Thu 2/23 @ 8:00pm
Fri 2/24 @ 11:00pm
Sun 2/26 @ 12:30pm
Thu 3/01 @ 9:30pm
Sat 3/03 @ 8:00pm

Answers by Ed Malin

(Playwright)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
That’s some title. How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?
Ed: The title is a pun on several episodes from the main character’s life. He is 85 years old, has seen a lot, and is a very happy masochist. As such, he finds himself identifying with Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

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?
Ed: I think this play can move people to examine their life choices, which makes for some potential discomfort. Perhaps people who do not believe they have choices in life should be invited. So I would go with St. Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Blaise Pascal, and Adolf Hitler.

Antonio Minino’s QuestionWhat is the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever made for your Art and was it worth it?
Ed: In the first developmental stage of this show I traveled to South Jersey for a convention of the polyamorous, where I read the first draft of the play myself in front of an audience while wearing a bathrobe and a thong. I was standing in front of a Tigger doll which was chained to a rack. The response was positive, and I think I earned it. Now, I have enlisted an experienced actor to perform the show, which he admits is therapeutic.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and, if so, can you share it?
Ed: Mac Rogers has worked on this show with me several times. He is not an old man (but the character is supposed to be). We are discovering how best to portray a cantankerous, achey body with a sharp mind in it.We may be giving him a cane. He will probably also pop open a can of Ensure for extra energy.

Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?
Ed: My show’s character has always been afraid to assert himself. It takes him 85 years to get to the actions he takes at the end of the play. I would like the audience to know it’s OK to doubt yourself, everybody does.

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?
Ed: . . .

We get it, Ed. You already feel like you’re on trial … with all the Judge yada yada. So maybe you’d like to sit this one out. But, like so many things in life — you can’t! So, we’re choosing for you, and we choose ROCK. And we’re pitting you against The Rope In Your Hands because based on title alone (not content) it sounds like your show and that show should be a double header. So far, you’ve been challenged by Love in the Time of Chlamydia who threw a rock at EVERYONE. So. That’s a tie there. Sounds like you’re off to a good start …

Thanks Judge, Yuri & Executioner for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2012 Q&A. And for letting us choose your Rock Paper Scissors weapon! You’re officially ROCK 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 Judge, Yuri & Executioner!

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Judge, Yuri, & Executioner
Company: Temerity Theatre Company
Directed by: DeLisa White

Feb 23, 8:00PM
Feb 24, 11:00PM
Feb 26, 12:30PM
Mar 01, 9:30PM
Mar 03, 8:00PM
$10.00

The Red Room

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