John Grady loves the show “Fear Factor.” He has his theories and his predictions about how the insane game show will play out, and is especially drawn to the “Couples Edition,” where young die-hards compete, and, predictably lose, to the old married pair with many anniversaries to their name. Despite his intrigue and obsession with these thrill-seeking duos, Grady has only had one serious relationship in his life: with Abby, his Bernese mountain dog.

In Fear Factor: Canine Edition (running at The Kraine Theater), Grady tells the hilarious and heartbreaking story of his life with Abby, and some of the moments that bonded them forever. Intercut with an account of Abby’s last days before she had to be put down at the age of 13, Grady’s stories are beautiful and impassioned, but told simply, with ease and humor.

Highlights include: an experiment with “Doga” (dog yoga), that lead to them subsequently being filmed for Animal Planet, Abby’s time as a therapy dog in a Chicago hospital, and many a romp in the Tomkins Square Park dog run. I dare you to not fall in love with this creature by the end of Grady’s account.

What Grady gets at is the beauty at the core of any relationship, the synergy between two souls–human, canine, or anything in between–and how important it is to any life. What he may have lacked with women, Grady made up for tenfold with Abby; a need, a mutual dependence, a deep-rooted love. This bond helped them make it to the end of Abby’s life, and helped Grady come to terms with losing her.

Grady finally muses that his life with Abby was a series of “Fear Factor” challenges, peppered by a few actual running and rushing and barely-making-it-out-alive moments. It’s here that we see his original theory: the young, brash couples on the TV show never make it past the first few rounds. They are foolhardy and not adapted to one another just yet. But the reason the older couples–soft-spoken and fully trusting of one another–always win, is that they have already begun to run the gauntlet of life together, and they get what it takes to make it as a pair. John Grady and Abby had the same mentality, which is why, even in the final moments of Abby’s life; it was love and care, not fear that was truly the factor.

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FRIGID Hangovers will run March 5-10 at The Kraine Theater (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue and Bowery). Tickets ($18-$20) may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444.

Related Posts:

• Fear Factor: Canine Edition – 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Starting Tonight! Frigid Hangovers Begin At The Kraine Theater
• The Rope In Your Hands: Katrina, In Their Own Words (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Musical Pawns: Lost Music And Direction, Found Voices (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Scratch & Pitz Burlesque and Variety Hour – Seven Act Scratch (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

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

Fear Factor: Canine Edition

Written by: John Grady

Fear Factor: Canine Edition is about the peculiar and misguided true adventures of a man and his very trusting, very forgiving, therapy dog. An award-winning tale of true love and overcoming obstacles, while staring fear in the face.

Show Times:

• Wed 2/22 @ 9:00pm
• Fri 2/24 @ 8:30pm
• Sun 2/26 @ 1:00pm
• Thu 3/1 @ 9:00pm
• Sat 3/3 @ 7:00pm

Answers by John Grady
(Writer, Performer)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
That’s some title. How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?
John: Thanks. I watch too much television…clearly. Is life merely a game?…Where everything I thought I’ve wanted, wished, or fought for, is always on the line? Am I the clutch hitter, stepping up to the plate, attempting to knock it out of the park to claim the title of The Natural? Or do I maybe bunt, or possibly force an error, hoping for something else?…and now just add a dog, and a ticking time bomb to that little scenario. Come watch Fear Factor: Canine Edition to see how it all plays out.

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?
John: I’d invite the Group of Seven. Then enjoy standing in the lobby of The Kraine Theatre and watching them go fisticuffs over the 5 seats. Feel free to google them. That’s your mini art history lesson for the day. And you’re welcome. If you feel so inclined to repay the favor, please, come to Fear Factor: Canine Edition,…(whispers) and afterwards, in the lobby, we’ll only talk about Emily Carr…in front of them.

Antonio Minino’s Question
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever made for your Art and was it worth it?
John: Well, I was on the lam in Canada for a spell. And because of that, while I was living there, I did miss out on a significant amount of American pop culture. References to things that people make to me, to this day, that I was never exposed to. I have no idea who the Smurfs are for instance. But I will say that I now know a fair bit about curling…Oh, and even more importantly, that’s where I met Abby. In a small rural farm community outside of Toronto…so, yeah, I guessed that all worked out just fine in the end…or did it? Buy a ticket to Fear Factor: Canine Edition and hear how my life with Abby unfolds.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and, if so, can you share it?
John: Yes…my next door neighbors watch a lot of sports. So every time they went wild, screaming and cheering for some non-curling event, I pretended that it was because they found a particular passage I had just written about my life with my dog, Abby, incredibly fascinating. So come to my show, and if you agree with my neighbors, please express yourself by cheering uncontrollably for Fear Factor: Canine Edition.

Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?
John: A lesson in the importance of keeping you arms and legs in at all times during the ride. Fair warning…If you show any outward signs of fear while in attendance at my performance…be afraid, I will sense it. See you in the front row at Fear Factor: Canine Edition.

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?
John: Little Lady. Paper.

Wow, John, you didn’t even try to plug you show with that last answer!  Impressive strategy!  So … Little Lady threw scissors – so you LOST that round.  However, Love In The Time Of Chlamydia threw rock – and that’s a win!  Good going!

Thanks Fear Factor: Canine Edition 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 again, you may lose again – 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 Fear Factor: Canine Edition!

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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.

Related Posts:

• Fear Factor: Canine Edition – Puppy Love (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Little Lady: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• LOL: The End. : 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Aerial Allusions: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Musical Pawns: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)