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

Double Happiness: A Tale of Love, Loss, and One Forever Family

Company: Kelly Haramis

“Double Happiness: A Tale of Love, Loss and One Forever Family,” (directed by David Knoell) a one-woman show by former Chicago Tribune journalist Kelly Haramis, juggles fertility issues, an adoption wait and unexpected deaths. Kelly takes audience members on her quest to have a baby. And introduces them to the world’s most-fertile man. And Penn State parties. And takes them on her journey to China to adopt her daughter. Find out how her hands went from holding a dream to holding two miracles.

Show Times:

• Thurs 2/20 @ 8:40 p.m.
• Sun 2/23 @ 12:30 p.m.
• Wed 2/26 @ 5:30 p.m.
• Sat 3/1 @ 8:25 p.m.
• Tues 3/4 @ 5:30 p.m.
• Thurs 3/6 @ 5:30 p.m.

Answers by  Kelly Haramis

(Playwright/Actor)

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?

KH: “Double Happiness” is about how I became a mother twice in 6 months. And it’s not your first guess.

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?

KH: My trip to China in freezing cold January 2007, where I encounter the Communist Party, climb the Great Wall under conditions of serious physical disadvantage, and exorcise the ghost of Richard Nixon.

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

KH: Theme. If by “theme” you mean an astounding spread of intense emotions that remind us what it means to be human.

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?

KH: “You have a beautiful story. I laughed; I cried.”

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?

KH: The emotional core would stay the same, but I’d love to add professionally produced show tunes and special effects. Is the “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” rigging available? It wasn’t Bono and The Edge’s finest songs, but, hey, I’ll hire them anyway.

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?

KH: I’d import a section of the Great Wall of China. Yes, there may be some diplomatic hurdles to overcome, so we’ll need to send some serious American monuments over there in payment.

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?

KH: The intensity may change, but reactions have been consistent.

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

KH:  “I will deliver my super-seed to you wherever you are.” 

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?

KH: Definitely! Many families struggle with infertility, and then deal with the Yo Gabba Gabba highs and Teletubby lows of modern parenting.

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?

KH: Rita Wilson because she makes Greek actresses’ dreams come true. Or Nia Vardalos. Time to Pay it Forward? [ed note: Rita Wilson is often credited with being the driving force behind Nia Vardalos's movie deal for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which became the highest-grossing independent film of all time, and for which she served as a producer].

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:  Almost a Genius.

THROWS: Scissors, made in the Windy City, Maria Wojciechowski!

Thanks Double Happiness: A Tale of Love, Loss, and One Forever Family for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2014 Q&A. And for playing our game! You’re officially SCISSORS 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 Double Happiness: A Tale of Love, Loss, and One Forever Family !

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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:

• BREATHE LOVE REPEAT: a near-life experience – 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Why So Much Shame?: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Basic Help (2014 Frigid New York Festival)
• Confessions Of A Redheaded Coffeeshop Girl: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2014 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• A Date For The Evening: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2014 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Five Questions.  Five Answers.  And one big decision: Rock, Paper, or Scissors?

Suzen Murakoshi

BREATHE LOVE REPEAT:a near-life experience

Produced by: The Mustique Projects

A samurai super daughter struggles with her mother at the crossroads between east and west to affirm life between this world and the next.

Show Times:

• Wed. 2/22 @ 10:30pm
• Fri. 2/24 @ 7:30pm
• Mon. 2/27 @ 7:30pm
• Fri. 3/2  @ 10:30pm
• Sun. 3/4 @ 7:00pm

Answers by Suzen Murakoshi

(Playwright, Performer)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
That’s some title. How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?
Suzen: THANKS! It’s the mantra I was wrestling with at one of the lowest points in my life. The ‘repeat’ part is the hardest, because it’s like, “you mean, I have to do it again? And, again?”

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?
Suzen:1) I’d invite my mother. Because it’s our story together, and she’s not around anymore.  2) Ditto with my father, same reason. He checked out even sooner than my mom. 3) It seems like I’m inviting all these dead people, but I’d invite Romulus Linney, my play-writing teacher, the best I ever had. I hope he’d be proud of me, he’d at least have suggestions to make it better. 4) And, famous people? Like Shakespeare, because I’d love to meet him. 5) Ditto with Michalangelo.

Antonio Minino’s Question
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever made for your Art and was it worth it?
Suzen: Not going snowboarding this winter. Naw, seriously. It’s like feeling like I’m sacrificing something when I’m really not. Like money, my life, my time, not having kids, not spending more time with mom. These aren’t really sacrifices, but choices. I get to make my own show about my mom.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and, if so, can you share it?
Suzen: Hmm. It’s that I’m not over not having a mom yet. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to ‘get over it.’ THAT’s what the show is about. There’s a resolution in the show, but, is there ever really a personal one? It’s still hard to keep going back there …

Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?
Suzen: We (the company, Director and myself) hope people (and I know everyone says this) will understand how important each and every moment is in their lives. The quality of that moment is how much attention is paid there and then. To be completely full present in each second of each encounter with whomever you’re with is a gift that keeps on giving, which we hope BREATHE LOVE REPEAT does actually accomplish.

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?

Suzen: Blind to Happiness. And I throw SCISSORS.

Thanks BREATHE LOVE REPEAT: a near-life experience 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 BREATHE LOVE REPEAT: a near-life experience at UNDER St. Marks!

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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:

• Breathe, Love, Repeat: A Near Life Experience (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Fear Factor: Canine Edition – 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Little Lady: 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)
• Drowning Ophelia: A New Rock Musical – 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)