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

The Eyes of Orbach

“Jerry Orbach gave his heart and soul to acting and the gift of sight to two New Yorkers.” What if those two New Yorkers fell in love? Celebrate all things NYC, from Dan Smith to Dr. Zizmor, in this new musical comedy about finding connection in the big city.

Show Times:

• Wed 2/19 @ 10:15pm
• Sun 2/23 @ 6:50pm
• Thurs 2/27 @ 7:05pm
• Sun 3/2 @ 5:15pm
• Fri 3/7 @ 5:30pm

Answers by Ryan Emmons (Director)

1. Your tag line is out there on postcards and press releases so we know the PR version of what this play is about.  But when you talk to your family and friends, how do you explain the show to them?

RE: The play looks at what happens when two New Yorkers meet and fall in love only to realize that they are each one of the recipients of Jerry Orbach’s donated eyes. This realization causes them to question their relationship; do they love each other? Or simply that they can see themselves in the other person? The play looks at sight vs. perception and how the people around us change the way in which we see the world.

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?

RE: We’ve staged an optical illusion, so I hope they talk about that. I also hope that the play provokes conversation on how New Yorkers see and connect with others and New York City.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?

RE: Theme. There’s a love story that keeps the play moving, but it’s about sight and perception.

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?

RE: We’ve had a big response about the idea. We’ve heard a lot of “that’s the best title ever” kind of remarks.

5. Let’s fantasize for a moment. Let’s take the “off-off” off. Imagine this show is on Broadway. Would that change the production itself?

RE: The optical part of the show would probably grow. There’s so much potential when dealing with what an audience sees vs. does not see. I think the production would be enhanced with very specific lighting (and some moving lights) which is not possible in a festival setting.

6. Taking that one step further – after paying everyone what they’re worth of course, what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless thing you would spend money on if there was no constraints?

RE: I would want the optical illusion at the end to fill the entire theatre, not just the stage. There would be something awesome about transforming the theatre into something new and then seeing the end of the play in this new world.

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?

RE: I think people will have different opinions/experiences about the connection we draw between visual acuity and romantic attraction.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?

RE: “Love is blind, but love is not deaf.”

9. Is the world of this play sustainable outside a theatre? In other words … do you think people live the way the characters do? Would you want a world where they do?

RE: Yes. There are fantastical moments throughout, but it is set in NYC present day.

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?

RE: Dr. Zizmor. He’s a stop on our main character’s first date and it would be surprising if he actually came to see the play!

Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH

In the THM virtual Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH which FRIGID Show do you take on? And what do you throw?

CHALLENGES:  We’ll take on Key of E.  

THROWS: We throw Paper!

CHALLENGED BY: 
~ East in Red who threw SCISSORS – that’s a LOSS!
~ THE CANUCK CABARET who threw ROCK – that’s a WIN!

So with one WIN and one LOSS Key of E will need to break the tie … so keep your EYES out to see how it all plays out in the end!
Thanks The Eyes of Orbach for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2014 Q&A. And for playing our game! You’re officially PAPER in any and all challenges.  You may win, you may lose – 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 The Eyes of Orbach !

~~~ 

  ~~~

Horse Trade Theater Group will present the 8th 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 19-March 9. Tickets are available for purchase in advance at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling 212-868-4444. 

Related Posts:

• Petunia And Chicken: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2014 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• YELLING AT BANANAS IN WHOLE FOODS: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2014 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Brownie And Lolli Go To Hollywood: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2014 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Charlotte The Destroyer: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2014 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• East In Red: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2014 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

A pear is always more than just a pear and a man is more than the sum of his collaborations.

Coosje the story of Claes Oldenburg (played by Steven Conroy) and his long-time collaborator and wife Coosje van Bruggen (played by Julie Congress). It is also the story of a Pear who is “self-aware” (played by Haley Greenstein).

Like Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, Coosje is a story about how an artist’s process of creating helps them develop a new reality for themselves as well as for the people seeing it.  Coosje allows for intimate interaction with the elements of the creative process.  This play highlights the notion that every piece of art is the completion of a journey for an object (real or imagined, sentient or inanimate) to get to the place where its inclusion in the art creates the context and meaning of the art itself.

The play begins with a short film representing the Happenings of the 50′s and 60′s that occurred organically around the world with many people including Claes Oldenburg.  The Happenings collected people together to do a variety of thing to challenge the rules of convention (think of a more disorganized flash mob before the age of cell phones).  This film is a prequel, of sorts, which sets things up for when we meet our characters.  It is shot in sepia tones and we hear the sound of a clackity old projector. There are various miming people moving in jerky and unusual ways as well as over-graceful and melodramatic ways.  Every movement is laid with meaning  - even if it is to escape the normal meaning of it.

The story begins with the self-aware Pear singing of her journey of discovery as realizing that she is special: she is empowered by this significance to be more than just a snack:

“I’m a pear.  Self-aware … I’ll live 1.000 lives in one for every pear…
I’ll go everywhere…”

And so begins her journey around and around the world and beyond, as she discovers what it means to be human … even if she is a pear…but also searching for her purpose beyond just exploring the world for all those pears that never get beyond the fruitbowl.

This sets the stage for the type of performance that Claes was trying to achieve before he began his journey of challenging  convention by putting everyday objects in extraordinary contexts.  He meets Coosje and they reflect and react to each others’ view of what it means to see the world in terms of art – or art in terms of the world.  Cooje becomes Scully to Claes’ Mulder, and together they create art together unlike any the world has ever seen before.

Looking at the teasers for this show it may seem  like Coosje would be merely a celebration of the fantastic, the absurd, and the surreal — which it is– but the heroes’ journey our characters all go through help them find some very real and provoking truths that are important to be realized and shared in this production.

There is a Pear that sings, dances and – most importantly – explores the world, searching for her purpose. There is also a love story between an artist and a critic.  One wanting to break all conventions of form, the other wanting to figure out how  everything fits together.  Between  moving ballads and giant inflating flowers, there are the personal and spiritual ramifications of a blueberry pie. And much, much more! These all meld together to make some very deep and touching points on why we should all be more playful so as to learn to find out what our purpose in life really is.

Steven Conroy as Claes

The production of the piece is done with great mastery by many talented individuals starting with the short film Happenings (organically arising from the exploits of Giselle Chatelaine, Steven Conroy, Maura Cordial, Ryan Emmons, Haley Greenstein, Ryan Huenstein, Raena Hubbell, Maxwell Schneller, Danny Tieger, and Enrico De Trizio), to the plethora of fantastical art (Jen Neads and Maxwell Schneller) and of course the whimsical costumes (Loring Taoka).  According to actor Steven Conroy who I spoke with briefly after the show,  the writing was done by the ensemble collaboratively  (many of whom are visual artists themselves) after they were inspired by an installation of Oldenburg’s art they had seen together at the MOMA several months ago.  Director (Ryan Emmons) did a great job at orchestrating this complex show with it numerous moving parts, so it looked like it had months of rehersal time behind it.  The songs written by Danny Tieger and music expertly played by Enrico De Trizio (who also did the sound and projections which were an integral part of this piece) as well as the choreography (Olivia Wingerath) and light design (Ryan Hauanstein) put the final touches on this beautiful play premiering at Frigid.  I hope circumstances allow this play to continue on in the future.

Don’t miss out on this thoughtful critique on the nature of art-as- filtering-framework that creates meaning (but then allows that meaning to be flipped around at a moment’s notice).  If you’ve ever wondered what sort of story there could be behind big crazy public art, you need to experience Coosje.

~~~

~~~

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:

• Coosje: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Oregon Trails : The Quest For The West! But Which Quest Is Best? (FRIGID New York 2011)
• FRIGID New York Festival 2011 – Five Questions For: The Oregon Trail: Quest For The West!
• The Eyes Of Orbach: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2014 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Starting Tonight! Frigid Hangovers Begin At The Kraine Theater

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

Coosje

Company: No.11 Productions

Coosje is the story of two artists, husband and wife, finding their playful aesthetic together and attempting to escape death. Meanwhile, the singing Pear embarks on a heroic quest to achieve immortality. Their journeys intertwine in this fantastical love story.

Show Times:

• Thu 2/23 @ 7:30pm
• Sat 2/25 @ 10:00pm
• Wed 2/29 @ 9:00pm
• Fri 3/2 @ 6:00pm
• Sat 3/3 @ 7:00pm

Answers by Ryan Emmons

(Co-Artistic Director of No.11 Productions)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
That’s some title. How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?
Ryan: Coosje refers to the Dutch artist, art historian and critic, Coosje van Bruggen. The play is inspired by (and a celebration of) the relationship she had with her husband/collaborator Claes Oldenburg. She influences everything in Claes’ life…so it seemed appropriate that the title be influenced by her.

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?
Ryan: Claes Oldenburg because this is an artistic representation of his partnership with Coosje and I would love to hear his thoughts and develop the piece further based on his own musings of his work with Coosje. In developing the show we only had research, but no first hand interaction with Oldenburg.
Allan Kaprow because he developed some of the first “happenings” and I would love to see what he thought about the happening we have created to start the show and then make a new one with him.
All FRIGID New York participants because they are some of the best artists I meet every year and the community element of FRIGID New York is what makes it so special.
My family, because I love them and like to show them what I’m doing with my life.
Coosje van Bruggen because her work inspired this and I have a feeling her criticism would have me look at the play in a whole new way.

Antonio Minino’s Question
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever made for your Art and was it worth it?
Ryan: I have been lucky enough (or perhaps I’m young enough) not to have made any major sacrifices for my art. Everything I have done has been a step towards developing No.11 Productions and I have met the most amazing artists and friends along the way. I feel grateful and lucky that I have been able to pursue theatre as fully as I have and I hope to continue growing and learning.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and, if so, can you share it?
Ryan: We thought a singing Pear was going to be a simple and funny character. We discovered that a singing Pear is a complex and layered element with much more bite than we imagined. I feel proud of the Pear because we pushed ourselves past what started as a gimmick and into juicy territory that interested all of us.

Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?
Ryan: We are all in relationships with our friends, our families our co-workers. We all collaborate and share ourselves with other people. I hope this show inspires audiences to look at the relationships they have all around them and be grateful. I hope Coosje gives people the strength to live more wholeheartedly and to connect with people and the world around them in new ways.

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?

Ryan: We take on Missed Connections and throw PAPER!!!!

Ooof, Ryan, that’s gonna leave a mark!  In your RPS challenge with Missed Connections they threw SCISSORS leaving them victorious over your Paper.

However in your second battle with Love in the Time of Chlamydia you’re up against Rock and YOU WIN!  Congratulations!

A win and a loss, that puts you right back where you started … but in some people’s book that’s ahead of the game!

Thanks Coosje 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 Coosje!

~~~

~~~

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:

• Coosje: The “Play” Is The Thing, But Each “Thing” Is A Collaboration (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• The Eyes Of Orbach: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2014 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• LOL: The End. : 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• ‘Til Love Do Us Part: 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)

Welcome back to another installment of FRIGID New York Festival 2011 Q&A!  We’ll be running these throughout February until the Festival starts, so be sure to check back to read all about the great shows that will be taking part in the festival.  Also – don’t miss the winner-take-all game of Rock Paper Scissors! Today’s Q&A is with Ryan Emmons (Director/Book) and Julie Congress (Actor/Book) of The Oregon Trail: Quest for the West!

Inspired by the iconic game, The Oregon Trail: Quest for the West! is an interactive comedy with music. Join our five brave pioneers on a grueling journey as they fight snakebites, dysentery and meager rations. Will YOU ford the river?

Oregon Trail

answers by Ryan Emmons (Director/Book) and Julie
Congress (Actor/Book)

Antonio Asks: What makes FRIGID such a warm and welcoming experience for your production?

This is our third FRIGID festival and we love it! There is such a sense of community and support surrounding FRIGID. This is the perfect size festival. Not only do we love performing in this festival, but we love getting to see all of the other great work that is being done.

Diánna Asks: What about this play do you feel most drawn to personally, and because of that, what message do you hope the audience walks away with?

We wrote The Oregon Trail: Quest for the West! because everyone we know played the computer game. It is a shared experience. We all have inside jokes and stories about playing this iconic game but it has never been addressed on stage. We are excited to present something that is not only a fun interactive experience but also highlights the strength of the human spirit and the importance of hope. We hope people walk away with the courage to approach their lives with a more game-like attitude. You gain points, you lose points, but in the end the point is to enjoy the journey.

Karen Asks: That’s some title.  How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?

The Oregon Trail: Quest for the West! is a historical reference to the journey brave pioneers took during the early 1800’s as they sought a
better life. It also conjures memories of our favorite childhood computer game.

Stephen Asks: You must have a favorite part of your show.  What makes it your favorite?

Our favorite part of the show is the first river crossing. How will the brave pioneers cross the Kansas river?!?! The audience must choose if they should caulk the wagon and float across, pay to take a ferry, or ford the river. We love the spontaneity of never knowing what the audience will choose and subsequently what will happen onstage.

Lina Asks: How much of your show was inspired by true events?

Almost all of it! The interpersonal relationship are our own invention, but the historical aspects of the show are true to life.

THM Bonus Question: If you could play a virtual game of Rock, Paper, Scissors with another FRIGID Show which show would you take on?  And what would you throw?

We would like to take on The Mysterious Mystery of Mystery Street because we like mysterious nature of their title. And we would have to throw a rock, because out here on the frontier, that’s all we’ve got.

Thanks The Oregon Trail: Quest for the West! – for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2011 Q&A.  And for playing our game!  You’re officially ROCK and you challenged The Mysterious Mystery of Mystery Street who threw down SCISSORS. Guess what, Oregon Trail? You won this round of the game!  This is how it works in the crazy world of the VIRTUAL ROCK PAPER SCISSORS TOURNAMENT!

Meanwhile, for the rest of you – don’t forget to check out The Oregon Trail: Quest for the West!

FRIGID New York Festival 2011 will run February 23-March 6 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 1sr Ave and Ave A). Tickets ($10-$16) may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444. All shows will run 60 minutes long or less.

Related Posts:

• FRIGID Hangovers – I’ll Have Another Round! (FRIGID New York 2011)
• The Eyes Of Orbach: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2014 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women In The Arts – Spotlight On Heidi Grumelot
• Yippie! – Revolution On Demand (FRIGID New York 2011)
• Scarlet Woman, Noirtastic Femmes (FRIGID New York 2011)