Smacker and the Highway

Benefiting: Grand Central Neighborhood Social Services Corporation (GCNSSC)
Produced by Waving Cat Productions
Written by Hope Weiner
Directed by Molly Ballerstein

“America is undergoing a facelift, and anything that is regarded as ugly or undesirable is being put out to pasture. Internal migration has reached its highest levels as the displaced roam the highway seeking their own utopia.”

Show Times:

• Fri 6/1/12 – 5:00pm
• Sun 6/3/12 – 6:00pm
• Tues 6/5/12 – 5:00pm
• Sat 6/9/12 – 1:30pm
• Wed 6/20/12 – 10:00pm
• Sat 6/23/12 – 8:00pm

Answers by Molly Ballerstein

(Director)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
How did you come up with the title for your show?

Molly:  The title is based off the main character (Smacker) and her experiences of living on the highway.

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?

Molly:  I would invite Barack Obama, Governor Cuomo, the Occupy Wall Street Protesters (I’m counting them as one!),  Oscar Wilde, and Harold Clurman. The first three people I believe would find the show relevant and a take on where America can go. The last two I would want feedback from!

Antonio Minino’s Question
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve made for your art and was it worth it?

Molly: The biggest sacrifice I’ve made to date is a  quitting a management position at a well known corporation with a stable paycheck, benefits, and a 401K. It was absolutely worth it and since quitting said economically safe job I have never regretted or questioned my choice. Working for a corporation that does not care about people and simply cares about the money they are making is not something I would put on my worst enemy.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and can you share it with us?

Molly: The way I take on creating the world of a project is more as a playground supervisor than a puppet master. Seeing the characters the actors developed after we established the environment they were in was a wonderful experience! What was most unexpected to me was what happens to the family structure when there is no home or safe place for them to be in.

Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?

Molly: I hope they receive  how important it is that we all  participate in a nonviolent way and how dangerous it is when we do not take action and participate in what is happening with our government and the world around us. Our community is not made of buildings but of people and as such they are what matters and we should look out for the most.

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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.

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