The Happiest Medium » Solo Performer

Get STUPEFIED By Paul Hutcheson

Karen Tortora-Lee — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 19:11:48 +0000

I met Paul Hutcheson during the New York Frigid Fest a few years ago and, as most people do, immediately fell in love with him – as a person and as a performer. Just take a look at that face and you can see why! If you don’t already know Paul you have a great chance to see him perform – one night only – this weekend at the Duplex. Here’s a special 10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE SHOW BEFORE YOU GO so you can plan your weekend around this and make sure you’re STUPEFIED.

Stupefied
Saturday April 23rd at 4:30 pm
The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street $10/15

Answers provided by: Writer & performer Paul Hutcheson

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Paul: This is the show where I discuss all things that ‘stupefy’ me! From gay men & a drinking study, to teaching teenagers, to the anus and love, I am constantly ‘Stupefied’ by life!

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?
Paul: I hope they are discussing how their cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Paul: The theme drives the stories and life experiences that I vividly bring to life on stage.

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?
Paul: That their cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing!

5. If money and resources (and even reality) were no object what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless prop, costume, effect – anything – that you would spend money on for this show?
Paul: I want to ‘stupefy’ the audience by flying around the stage and swooping into the audience in a custom made Wonder Woman outfit.

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to as your show opens?
Paul: Getting to premiere the show in NYC! (This is a dream for a Canadian artist.)

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?
Paul: Scolding people for not being able to talk about oral sex and masturbation but watching shows like ‘The Bachelorette’ & ‘Breaking Bad.’

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Paul: “Stupefying, isn’t it?”

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Paul: Stretch.

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?
Paul: I scan and see John Cameron Mitchell. I am shocked because – how did he find out? And I hope he’s looking to manage a queer comedic performer!

~~~

Paul, my sweet, I know you’ll be stupefying that Duplex audience like crazy. The rest of you – get your butts over to the Duplex … one of my favorite New York places to hang and have fun. To purchase tickets CLICK HERE.

THE DUPLEX
INFORMATION: (212) 255-5438
61 CHRISTOPHER STREET @ 7TH AVE
NYC, NY 10014

Dandy Darkly’s Trigger Happy!: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 21:33:43 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

Dandy Darkly’s Trigger Happy!

“All American Tales of Sex and Death!”

Show Info:

Tue Feb 16, 2016 | 7:10PM
Sat Feb 20, 2016 | 8:50PM
Tue Feb 23, 2016 | 5:30PM
Fri Mar 4, 2016 | 10:30PM
Sun Mar 6, 2016 | 1:50PM

UNDER St. Marks New York, NY $10/$15

Answers by Dandy Darkly
(poet, playwright, performer, pervert)

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Dandy: Dandy Darkly typically explains his shows to friends via crude ransom letters. Really helps to encourage attendance!

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?
Dandy: I pack my storytelling performances with so much to mull over — costumes, original music, social satire. But I hope people are discussing the way I bend words around one another to spit out these perplexing paragraphs of profane (yet still incredibly pretty) poetry.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Dandy: Dandy Darkly drives his show. The nonstop pace of the spoken words set against a beautiful, hauntingly-immersive, musical soundscape pulls the audience into another world.

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?
Dandy: I’m proudest of my work when audience members offer a stunned, “I had no idea that’s what you do.” Expect the absolute unexpected.

5. If money and resources (and even reality) were no object what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless prop, costume, effect – anything – that you would spend money on for this show?
Dandy: A pointless and luxurious prop I’d like for a show would be a massive, diamond encrusted, rocket propelled dildo that Dandy Darkly would ride side-saddle on to the stage. That would do nicely!

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Dandy: Of the international festivals I’ve performed in, I really love the FRIGID Festival. For me, this festival epitomizes the soul of what it means to be an outsider fringe artist. This is a festival where truly emerging voices are given an opportunity to flourish. Not to mention 100% of ticket sales are paid back to the artist. There’s nothing else like it in the city. Frigid is truly a throw back to an era of “art for art’s sake” that’s sorely missing from the Downtown NYC scene. I’m thrilled to see such artists express themselves and proud to be keeping St. Marks weird!

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?
Dandy: There’s a pointed political call to action near the end of the show. It will be fun seeing how it plays out considering our presently passionately charged “Bernie versus Hillary” slap fight.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Dandy: “Disco roller skates on a towering Grace Joneses!”

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Dandy: One last lipstick touch up before I scare my adoring public!

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?
Dandy: I’d be shocked to recognize anyone in the audience. Little known showbiz secret: Dandy Darkly is blind as Helen Keller lost in a coal mine!

Well, Dandy Darkly – that explains your last name! ”Through a Theatre Darkly” — hahaha! Well, seeing as how you won’t recognize anyone in the audience, make sure you have someone tell you if anyone amazing was out there!

Thanks so much for answering our questions, Dandy Darkly!

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out Dandy Darkly’s Trigger Happy!

-*-*-

Horse Trade Theater Group will present the 10th 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 16-March 6. All shows run 60 minutes, or less. Tickets are available for purchase in advance at http://www.horsetrade.info/

CHALK: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 14:54:37 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

CHALK

produced by Playpen Theatre

CHALK is a hilarious and unexpected one-man show guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages. Chalk invites audiences into a hand-drawn world where imagination is made real and anything can happen. Charlie Chaplin meets Harold and the Purple Crayon in this feel-good romantic romp sure to “Draw You In.”

Show Info:

Tue Feb 16, 2016 | 8:50PM
Sat Feb 20, 2016 | 1:40PM
Wed Feb 24, 2016 | 8:50PM
Tue Mar 01, 2016 | 5:30PM
Fri Mar 04, 2016 | 6:50PM

Kraine Theater New York, NY $5/$12/$15

Answers by Alex Curtis
(Performer & Creator)

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Alex: I always struggle with this. I tell them it’s about moving on and finding your happiness. The truth is that I made this show after a breakup of a serious relationship and a few failed less serious relationships after that. So, when I was making the show I was really drawing from my own experience in the dating scene. After that breakup, I was really, really lonely. So as I started meeting new people, I kept looking for them to solve my loneliness – and that just doesn’t work. No one wants that kind of responsibility. Eventually I realized that the only person who could solve my loneliness was me. I needed to be happy with myself first, then I could meet other people. Shel Silverstein’s The Missing Piece and the Big O has a really similar message. So, anyway, I took that journey and then translated it into a one-man silent clown play. Because it’s silent and because it’s clown, all of this isn’t in there literally. Actually, I hope that it hits different people in different ways and that everyone who comes takes something from it that makes sense to them and their lives. But this is what the show is for me.

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?
Alex: The last third of the show. To give the quick and dirty version of the plot – the play starts with a clown, alone. Then he meets this woman (she’s invisible) who comes into his world, and really rocks it. He falls in love with her, but then she leaves. And then he has to deal with that. And it’s all the stuff after that I hope that really touches people. There’s a dance, some puppetry work. Things I think express the theme in a really lovely way. And then the ending. That’s been really hard to pin down in this new version of the play – so if people fell in love with the ending particularly – it would be hugely gratifying.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Alex: I’d say plot. As much as for me the play has a strong thematic element – since I don’t have words to just say it all outright, it gets put into the story. That makes continuously moving the story forward really important and hopefully the thematic stuff comes naturally out of that.

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?
Alex: There have been a lot of things…
After the first performance, a good friend of mine who had been going through a hard time rushed up to me to say how much CHALK had moved her. She was so happy. That moment, and others where my goofy clown play really connects with people, has been incredible.
Another moment, I was asking friends who’d seen it if they might write testimonials about CHALK that I could use for publicity material. One friend wrote, “…if you’ve ever had your heart strings pulled by a Pixar short, you’ll fall in love with CHALK.” I love Pixar. I think they’re really smart, and I love what they do. It’s such a magical balance of play and heart. To have something I made mentioned in the same sentence as my idols – that made me really proud.

5. If money and resources (and even reality) were no object what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless prop, costume, effect – anything – that you would spend money on for this show?
Alex: That’s hard, since so much of the charm of clown comes from its simplicity and the room that leaves for the audiences imagination. BUT! Oh, oh, I got something…
If the invisible woman could be a hologram of Jessica Rabbit, that would be amazing. She saunters into the space… One of the big tasks of this newest draft of CHALK has been to specify this invisible person’s physical life so she stands on her own more as a character, and we can really get her place in the story. But if we could SEE that, see HER, through some kind of 3D projection, problem solved. And so cool. Things could appear as she interacts with them…which would make the world of the play even bigger… I’m spinning with ideas for what I’d do with that production… It would be really exciting.

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Alex: I’m looking forward to meeting the audience. Clown isn’t a 4th wall style; in the show, I look out and connect with the audience constantly. I’ve been really fortunate to have friends coming in to watch rehearsals and I’ve been able to bounce off them in the rehearsal process. But clowns are really great at inspiring community, I think. Which is why it’s so wonderful to have programs out there like Clowns Without Borders, where clowning can bring a sense of joy and companionship to people in really difficult circumstances. I’m looking forward to sharing a theater with a bunch of strangers, and then hopefully meeting some of them at a bar and talking like we know one another.

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?
Alex: There’s this bit in the middle of the show where I keep trying to hang things up on my coat rack, but then everything keeps falling down. I can imagine that landing really differently depending on the audience. I’ve done this show a few times and one of my best audiences was when I performed for a kids camp. The room was two-thirds kids between six and eight, and then the other third was a mix of adults. The camp counselors were in there teens and then the camp admin people were thirties and up. That show was magic. The kids ate up all the silly parts of the play, and then the adults got the parts that were more emotional. By themselves grown ups can be sort of uptight sometimes, but kids are so free in their reactions. That’s a part of the play that’s pretty silly, so I think it will depend on how loose the audience is. (Or how young at heart!)

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Alex: The play itself doesn’t have any dialogue. But I think the curtain speech is pretty good. I like to know where the fire exits are…

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Alex: Triple check my props. If I start the show and don’t have something, there’s no going back and I’m screwed. Also, for this run my girlfriend (we’ve been together a year – she’s wonderful!) will be helping backstage. So we’ll probably have a moment for a kiss and “break legs!” before we start, which will be a great way to get the show started.

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?
Alex: My first thought was the ex-girlfriend I mentioned who broke my heart years ago. It wasn’t a good break up, and we don’t speak anymore. To see her in the audience would be a shock for sure.
My next thought was Harrison Ford. I love Star Wars and Indiana Jones has been a hero of mine forever. Then for him to be watching my clown show, c’mon, that’d be incredible.
I’ve also invited Bill Irwin and David Shiner, who are the famous clowns performing Old Hats at the Signature Theater right now. I love their work, and I know it’s a long shot, but I really hope they come.

Well, Alex, you never know – even a long shot is a shot! So be it Bill Irwin and David Shiner … or even Harrison Ford … there’s a chance they’ll make it out to FRIGID to see what you’ve created with CHALK.
Thanks so much for answering our questions, Alex!

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out CHALK.

-*-*-

The BYU/Berkeley Plot: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Sun, 07 Feb 2016 16:54:59 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

The BYU/Berkeley Plot

“Brigham Young University and UC Berkeley couldn’t be more different. They’re the crispy ends of the higher education banana, and Ben Abbott went to both. But while trading Book of Mormon classes for angry protest rallies, he may have stumbled upon a shocking conspiracy linking the two! (Spoiler: It’s aliens.)”

Show Info:

Mon Feb 22, 2016 | 5:30PM
Thu Feb 25, 2016 | 10:30PM
Sat Feb 27, 2016 | 7:10PM
Wed Mar 02, 2016 | 7:10PM
Fri Mar 04, 2016 | 5:30PM
Sun Mar 06, 2016 | 12:10PM

Under St. Marks New York, NY $10/$15

Answers by Ben Abbott
(writer and performer)

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Ben: I started school at BYU, but finished at UC Berkeley. They are both just such amazingly weird places that are so different from each other but with surprising similarities. I’ve always known I wanted to write a show about that transition from one kind of crazy to another. Also there’s a thing about aliens and how the two schools are caught up in a conspiracy to fool the public and protect the world from invasion, so I guess I can only say the show is semi-autobiographical.

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?
Ben: I want them to not know what was true and what wasn’t. There are some things that will be obvious but I’d love for them to be trying to dissect when exactly it went off the rails. And laughing!

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Ben: Well, “plot” is in the title, but I think it’s at least a combination of plot and character. There are some great stories, but you wouldn’t care about the crazy things happening (both real and imagined) if you weren’t invested in the character.

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?
Ben: I think “you actually had me convinced about the fake conspiracy” is the best. Also, someone said “there are parts of this that remind of stand-up,” which is a huge compliment for me because I admire good stand-up comedians to the moon.

5. If money and resources (and even reality) were no object what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless prop, costume, effect – anything – that you would spend money on for this show?
Ben: Well, I think special effects to take the audience through the inter-dimensional vortex would be vital. I also think the aliens should make an appearance, flying saucer and all.

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Ben: This is my third time at FRIGID, and second as a performer. Without a doubt, the most exciting thing to me is the people. Being around so much active creative energy is hugely inspiring. I always not only get ideas for shows I want to write while I’m around them but this huge boost of excitement to make them happen.

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?
Ben: Anyone who’s gone to either of these schools will have a particularly unique experience. Talking about (and maybe making a little fun of) BYU or Berkeley to people who don’t know anything about it is totally different from reminiscing about a shared experience. Either way it’ll be fun.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Ben: “It was intimate! It was passionate! We never kissed with tongue.”

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Ben: Review the whole thing in my head as fast as I can. Getting lost in your own one-man show is a special kind of hell.

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?
Ben: The ex-girlfriend I talk about in the show. I haven’t seen her in 10 years, but that would be paralyzing because I’d only be able to hear it through her ears. Also that whole section is only like, 85% factual, so I’m not sure how that would go.

You’re not the first to say that, Ben! Seems like a lot of FRIGID folks are either hoping like heck that their exes are NOT there, or kinda hoping they are. Maybe it should be a theme one year, “bring back the exes”. But for your sake, and the sake of your show, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that she doesn’t show up.

Thanks so much for answering our questions, Ben!

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out The BYU/Berkeley Plot.

-*-*-

Acute…Girl: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 21:57:11 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

Acute…Girl

produced by CMC Theatrical

How much bullsh*t can a girl put up with just to have nice things to wear? Come and listen to her stories told in a heartbreakingly hilarious way: between amateur modeling gigs and mail-in beauty pageant, what could possibly go wrong?

Show Info:

Wed Feb 17, 2016 | 7:10PM
Sun Feb 21, 2016 | 1:50PM
Thu Feb 25, 2016 | 5:30PM
Tue Mar 01, 2016 | 7:10PM
Thu Mar 03, 2016 | 8:50PM

Kraine Theater New York, NY $15/$18

Answers by Julia Sun
(Writer & Performer )

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Julia: It’s about the insecurity and vainness that every single one of us has. We all want to appear better than we are, so how much bullsh*t can one put up with to present a better version of him/herself? Oh, and it’s meant to be a comedy : )

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?
Julia: I hope they’ll discuss their own stories relating to my character’s – the stories are inside everyone already. I guess it also doesn’t hurt if they remember my name and look for me online (I’m at www.juliasun.tv)

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Julia: The character drives the show – not because it’s an one-woman show, but because the persona is always crucial.

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?
Julia: Someone sent me this text after a show and I was beyond proud: “you’re sooo hilarious when you sing and dance, I could’t stop laughing, I almost fell off my chair!!! =D ”

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Julia: Do free food and parties count?

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?
Julia: Everyone will laugh at the comedy, but the drama part, that depends on the people. That being said, drama can be funny, too.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Julia: “I looked at him as if I saw the most delicious cheesecake in the world, and then I asked…”

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Julia: Oh, you know, being happy, being scared, being unsure how I got here in the first place and then glad I did.

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?
Julia: My high school crush (name withheld on purpose). I don’t think he ever liked me back and I’d be shocked if he came, awww~

Well, Julia, you never know. Maybe he actually DID have a crush on you too … and he was waiting for the perfect moment to approach A Cute Girl like you! Let’s see if he buys a ticket!

Thanks so much for answering our questions, Julia!

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out Acute…Girl.

-*-*-

Eighth Grade: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 18:00:22 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

Eighth Grade

Eighth Grade is the origin story of Nisse Greenberg’s neurosis. It’s funny in the way that losing your optimism is always a little funny. Using projections of found images and his eighth grade yearbook, Nisse shows us what it’s like inside his mind: a place no one asked to go.

Show Info:

Wed Feb 17, 2016 | 5:30PM
Sun Feb 21, 2016 | 1:50PM
Sun Feb 28, 2016 | 3:30PM
Wed Mar 02, 2016 | 8:50PM
Sat Mar 05, 2016 | 8:50PM

UNDER St. Marks New York, NY $10

Answers by Nisse Greenberg
(writer, director, and performer)

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Nisse: I think of the show as a way of putting narrative to my neuroses. It’s all stories from my 8th Grade year, but it’s really about now. It’s really about who I am in this exact moment and why I am that person.

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?
Nisse: I hope they’re discussing themselves. My favorite type of storytelling is the stuff that opens people up pathways to memories of your self. I did a preview show with a small audience and I was excited in the bar when everyone was sharing their own middle school experiences and discussing why they were important.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Nisse: My show is about is me. So, I guess: character.

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?
Nisse: Two storytellers have told me that they felt that the twist at the ending and the reflection I have is the type of reflection they’ve never seen before in a storytelling show. That made me proud because it’s hard to feel like you have something to say that isn’t cliched when there are so many solo-shows.

5. If money and resources (and even reality) were no object what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless prop, costume, effect – anything – that you would spend money on for this show?
Nisse: I use pictures from my yearbook when I talk about other people from my class, but if I could I would have drones filming the people in their life right now and I would project the spy footage of them in their present day life while I talked about their 8th grade self.

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Nisse: I love festivals! I’m excited to go to others’ shows, but I’m more excited to be an audience member with other people who have shows at the festival. That’s my favorite feeling: being in an audience with analytical eyes.

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?
Nisse: My ending sorta changes every night based on my own reactions to the audience’s reaction, so that is always a fun part. I try to live in the moment at the end and pull us out of the past. It’s exciting and it’s nerve-racking, but most of all it’s fun.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Nisse: “Family is an inherently oppressive structure.”

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Nisse: I wish I could just talk to people right up until I am on stage performing. I wish I could just start the show in the midst of conversation. Instead I guess I just breathe and stare at the audience a little. Maybe ask them how they are doing?

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?
Nisse: I talk about a lot of people from middle school, but I was very careful to not feel like I’m saying anything I wouldn’t say if they were in the audience. I think I’m fair and honest about others, and try to make sure that I am presenting my perspective of them. But if I saw Jeffery, I’d be happy. The show is really for him and all the Jefferys out there. Jeffery was the guy who was always picked last when we played kickball, and got “kick-me” signs taped to his back. I would love to see him in the audience, but I’d also feel really self-conscious because I would want him to like it so bad.

Well, Nisse, while I can’t guarantee that Jeffery will be there, I’m sure there will be at least one person in your audience who has been picked last, and gotten the equivalent of a “kick-me” sign taped to them. So, in a way, you’ll have Jeffery there every night!

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out Eighth Grade.

-*-*-

So Amazing: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2016 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 17:57:45 +0000

Ten Questions. Ten Answers. And one Big Surprise in the audience …

So Amazing

produced by: Diana Brown Production Company

HBO’s Going Clear meets Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt in this one-woman comedy that takes you along for the ride as main character, Diana, gets into and out of a cult. Based on a true story, Diana’s family does everything they can to rescue her as the cult holds firm control.

Show Info:

Tue Feb 16, 2016 | 7:10PM
Sat Feb 20, 2016 | 8:20PM
Wed Feb 24, 2016 | 5:30PM
Sat Feb 27, 2016 | 3:20PM
Sat Mar 05, 2016 | 1:40PM

Kraine Theater New York, NY $12/17

Answers by Diana Brown

(playwright, producer, actor)

1. Forget the PR version. When you’re talking to your friends, how do you explain this show to them?
Diana: This show is how I’m making lemonade out of lemons. I was in a cult, it was very bad, it affected my life in irreversible ways. So instead of trying to reverse the damage, I’m trying to move forward and champion it. The show itself takes you along for the ride as my character, a younger version of myself, gets into and out of a cult. There’s brainwashing, there’s an intervention, there’s rapping about doomsday…it’s fun for the whole family! It’s also about family and friendship. My family are the ones who dropped EVERYTHING to rescue me from the cult. This is a one-woman show, I play all the parts.

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?
Diana: I hope they’re discussing which jokes they laughed the hardest at! I hope it comes across that my family saved me from what could have been a very tragic story. Bottom line: Blood is thicker than Kool-Aid.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?
Diana: My character is the eternal optimist. She never gives up, even when she should, and her desperation to avoid the failure of her Zumba business leads to her becoming friends with some girls who claim to be helping, but are really recruiting her into a cult. My dad, the other central character, stops at nothing to rescue me from the cult. His motivation is that his oldest (and favorite) kid is being taken from him and he could possibly never see her again.

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?
Diana: “That’s exactly like what I/my relative/my friend was in, and I’m so glad you have the courage to tell people about it” Sometimes people don’t want to admit they were in a cult for fear that people will blame the victim, ie. “well why did you join a cult in the first place?” Nobody joins a cult. My experience has been that most people hear a cult story and are generally understanding, even if it’s the first time they’re learning about cults, it’s easy to understand how mind control works and that it can happen to anyone. Often times after performances people run up to me and say “is this a cult?” “is that a cult?” “etc happened to my cousin, is my cousin in a cult?” I direct those people to my website www.soamazingshow.com where there are tons of resources for how to deal with a cult.

5. If money and resources (and even reality) were no object what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless prop, costume, effect – anything – that you would spend money on for this show?
Diana: While I was in the cult, one of the other members told me that the leader didn’t die, he disintegrated into thin air. I’d like to have a special effect where I can illustrate that. Maybe a hologram or something.

6. What’s the one thing you’re looking forward to regarding the FRIGID Festival itself?
Diana: I’m very excited to meet the other participants! I love meeting people who are doing the same things that I’m doing, career-wise.

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?
Diana: There is one joke that gets the biggest laugh every time without fail, but if the audience is full of kids it will go right over their heads. There are also times in the show when characters that are cult members over-emphasize their words when they are doing things like committing fraud, blackmail, using loaded language, etc. That always gets a reaction, sometimes it’s a laugh, other times it’s a verbal reaction like they’re watching a horror movie “no don’t go in the basement!”

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?
Diana: Cult member: “Do you ever read the bible?” Me: “Oh no, I’m Catholic”

9. What’s the last thing you usually do before the beginning of a show?
Diana: Ask the stage manager if he’s got everything, knowing full well he is winging this, and then give him a big kiss! lol The stage manager is my boyfriend, Aaron Fragnito, real estate investor and CEO of People’s Capital Group. I provided him with a copy of the script with big colorful stars on each cue that says “click powerpoint” “phone ringing sound effect” “throw water in my face”, he just follows along. In earlier incarnations of the show I would make changes to his script and then just hand it to him right before I’m about to start. He has no experience as a stage manager but he’s so down for anything I ask him to do. I could just go on and on about how wonderful he is but…I’ll spare you. #gagmewithaspoon Luckily for him, for the FRIGID festival I have a professional team helping me so he doesn’t have to panic every time the curtain goes up.

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?
Diana: The real life girl who the character Serena is based on. She was my handler in the cult. She is still in the cult. If she came to my show, that would mean that she has left the cult or is considering leaving it. In cults, you’re not allowed to view any publication or production that is anti-cult. They control all information consumption and members are even encouraged to stay away from the internet. There won’t be any current cult members in the audience of my show because they would never allow current members to poison their minds with the reality that they are in a cult. But if I saw “Serena” or any of my friends from the cult in the audience, I would be overjoyed. I would love to see them again, I would love them to finally get to experience the amazing feeling of freedom.

Wow, Diana! I hope that your audience is FULL of ex-cult members, and that you all get to celebrate getting to the other side.

The rest of you – don’t forget to check out So Amazing.

-*-*-

Almost A Genius: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2014 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Karen Tortora-Lee — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 18:15:58 +0000

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

Almost A Genius

Maria Wojciechowski suffers from bipolar disorder and panic attacks, so she did what any other crazy person would do, she wrote a comedy show about it. In ALMOST A GENIUS, Maria invites you into her mind through storytelling, music, dance, and a colorful cast of characters.

Show Times:

Fri 2/21 @ 7:05pm
Wed 2/26 @ 8:20pm
Sat 3/1 @ 5:15pm
Sun 3/2 @ 12:30pm
Mon 3/3 @ 10:15pm
Fri 3/7 @ 5:30pm

Answers by Maria Wojciechowski
(writer and performer)

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?

MW: When I describe my show to friends I tell them it’s about mental illness, specifically my battle with bipolar disorder. It is a solo sketch show that is confessional, I suppose. I don’t know I’m bad at summarizing.

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?

MW: When the audience leaves… well I hope they say they enjoy it, but I also hope they relate to it. As far a specific part, of course there are bits that are my favorite, but I’d be happy if any of it strikes a chord.

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

MW: Theme drives my show for sure. Each of my characters are based on different elements of my experience with bipolar disorder and the monologues in between are there to unify the piece.

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?

MW: I’ve gotten “I laughed so hard, I cried, and then I cried so hard, I laughed.” As a performer, affecting people emotionally is so incredible. And it’s like I always say, “You aren’t really a comedian if you don’t make the audience cry six or seven times during your set.”

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?

MW: Definitely. Right now it’s designed for an intimate setting. I’d need more showgirls if it were on Broadway.

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?

MW: A yacht I guess. I like being on the water, and that seems pretty luxurious. Maybe an island. Maybe I’d buy an island.

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?

MW: My show is very personal, and my mom and my sister will be there opening night. It will be the first time they’ve seen it, and I’m terrified. I’m sure there will be different reactions that night. Also the show as a whole can go either way. Sometimes audiences take the monologues very seriously when I wrote them to be lighthearted.

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

MW: “You’re lucky.” My favorite character in the show says it. And I don’t know why, but it’s a really fun line for me to say.

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?

MW: Yes. In fact, most of the characters are based off of my own experience. I would want a world where these characters are accepted rather than ridiculed.

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?

MW: My dad. I’d be shocked because I would have taken out a few more cuss words had I known he were coming. I’m a wimp.

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: Double Happiness. It’s my friend’s one woman show.

THROWS: I’d hit her hard with rock.

CHALLENGED BY:
~ East in Red who threw SCISSORS – that’s a WIN!
~ THE CANUCK CABARET who threw ROCK – that’s a draw …
~ Double Happiness: A Tale of Love, Loss, and One Forever Family who threw SCISSORS that’s ONE WIN in her match against you and ONE MORE WIN in your match against her leading YOU to a DOUBLE HAPPINESS OF TWO WINS THERE!!!!
~ A Date for the Evening who threw SCISSORS – that’s another terrific WIN!

Undoubtedly you are not “almost” a genius at all! You are COMPLETELY a GENIUS at racking up the wins!!! FOUR wins, one draw and NO LOSSES. Nicely played, Genius. Very nicely played!

Thanks Almost A Genius for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2014 Q&A. And for playing our game! You’re officially ROCK 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 Almost A Genius!

~~~

Feb 21, 7:05PM
Feb 26, 8:40PM
Mar 01, 5:15PM
Mar 02, 12:30PM
Mar 03, 10:15PM
Mar 07, 5:30PM

UNDER St.Marks | $10.00 / $15.00

~~~

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.

Saving Tania’s Privates, The Bravura of Ms. Katan (FRIGID New York 2011)

Antonio Miniño — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:53:14 +0000

Saving Tania’s Privates (photo by Joe Jankovsky)

Theatre magic doesn’t happen every day or in every show. Those instances when time stops and you are transported from every day life into the world of a writer or a performer are happening right now at the FRIGID New York festival in a basement theater called Under St. Marks. The mastermind behind all this power brought to the stage is Tania Katan with Saving Tania’s Privates. A personal, witty, no-nonsense recount of a Jewish lesbian’s challenge with cancer since the age of 21.

Saving Tania’s Privates featuring Tania Katan (Photo by Josiah Epstein)

The play starts with an invasive TSA airport pat down by a male security officer; Tania suggests the female security officer must be uncomfortable with the fact that she looks like a boy and has no breasts. Thus we are automatically introduced to the subject at hand and how it will be handled in the next 58min (give or take). Along the way we meet Tania’s bf gay, her colorful parents, her lump-spotting girlfriends, and the doctors and nurses who have affected her life over the course of a decade. Her body has her living like she’s running a 10k marathon, with constant check ups, training, running and stopping to grasp air. Each person in her life has given her a different perspective and obstacle as to how to live her life while always maintaining herself triumphant against a pesky body. I would hate to take away from the wonderful discoveries in this piece, so I will refrain from describing too much of what I hope you will go experience on your own.

Theatre has always welcomed stories of bravery, survival and struggle with dis-ease. There is a delicate balance between using the theatrical medium as a way of therapy while still conveying a message, and luckily Ms. Katan has created a raw personal comedy dealing with a serious subject matter with gusto and zero sentimentalism. She is here for the craft, not to replace the shrink’s couch. A lot of this success has to do with her crisp script and knack for storytelling. She has given us permission to laugh at her trials as we view before us not a cancer survivor, but a woman who has decided to grab life by the horns and ride that smelly bull – and oh how wonderful it feels when you can stay on top even if only for small intervals. This is the magic of the play, this is the strength of Ms Katan.

Bravo Ms. Katan, bravo! If you only have a chance to see one show at the FRIGID this year, make Saving Tania’s Privates the one – you wont regret it. While you’re at it order her memoir My One-Night Stand With Cancer, I have!

~~~

Saving Tania’s Privates

Written & Performed by Tania Katan Presented by AJ Epstein Presents Seattle, WA UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place) $12 Wed 2/23 @ 7:30pm, Fri 2/25 @ 9pm, Sat 2/26 @ 1pm, Tue 3/1 @ 6pm, Wed 3/2 @ 7:30pm, & Sat 3/5 @ 10pm

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 runs 60 minutes long or less.

Entrevista: Dan Horrigan (MY AiDS)

Antonio Miniño — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:06:29 +0000

“Bad shit in life makes for good art. Things that challenge us emotionally, politically and socially propel us to create. Having this terrible thing in my life has motivated me in a way. I have sort of resolved to not only not let it get me down but use it as a way to improve myself. And don’t get me wrong, I have very dark days. I have days where I sit around and mope ‘why me’ and wish I could travel back in time and change things. But ya know, that only gets you so far. So yeah, the old adage ‘what doesn’t kill you…’“

This is how being HIV positive has changed Dan Horrigan’s life as an artist, and has propelled him to debut as a solo performer with his show MY AiDS now playing at Urban Stages. “What started out as an exercise in trying to put together a sort of comedy act really evolved,” says Horrigan.”I decided that I would accept the encouragement of those around me who think I’m funny and try to create a sort of comedy act but I thought it would be a greater challenge to wrap all of my humor around something that is really difficult for me… which is being HIV positive.”

And a great sense of humor it is, Horrigan could coax a smile from Victoria Beckham; he ascribes it to watching a lot of television, and a tool he initially used as a defense mechanism and as a away of comforting himself. “If you make a joke about something that’s upsetting or confusing, you sort of exorcise the demon in it.”

AM-When did you feel you were ready to share your story and with what purpose?

DH- Ohmygod, I still don’t feel ready to share my story! But that kind of fear and always trying to get over it is motivating in a weird way. The purpose has changed over time. What started out as an exercise in trying to put together a sort of comedy act really evolved. I decided that I would accept the encouragement of those around me who think I’m funny and try to create a sort of comedy act but I thought it would be a greater challenge to wrap all of my humor around something that is really difficult for me… which is being HIV positive.

AM-Do you feel your story has taken a life of its own? That it has morphed from just your story to something more universal?

DH-It is starting to take a life of its own. I intend for it to take a life of its own. The more the show gets out there, the more people see it, the more it will. I did a reading of an earlier draft of MY AiDS a little over a year ago for a good friend who afterwards told me he was HIV positive. He didn’t know until I read the piece that I was positive. I didn’t know he was either. We’d both been kind of keeping it a secret. He found a kind of connection and comfort in the play. Then it all hit home how much it’s really universal. And not just if you have HIV but if you’ve ever had something totally terrifying and upsetting happen to you. (I have a whole posting about this on my blog that I invite everybody to read). There are nights at the show when I know so and so is coming and she lost her Mom a year ago or this guys coming and he’s battling cancer and that’s just the people I know! Bad shit is universal. So hopefully we can all just get together and have a good laugh about it.

AM-So you’ve popped your cherry as a solo artist. Do you feel more in control and safe performing by yourself, or is it an even bigger challenge?

DH -I love a good cherry poppin’! It’s still all so new to me. I never expected to ever write anything in my life and after college I was certain my performing days were over, so it’s all really, really surprising and wonderful. So yes, of course I have nerves and insecurities but with this piece which is mostly conversational, I’m actually not alone. I have a whole audience I am with. Once I establish that connection and relax it’s a little smoother sailing… and aren’t those the best kinds of conversations? Where you get all the attention?!!

AM-Who have been Dan’s little helpers in making this piece a reality.

DH-No little helpers. Only great big gigantic ones! And here’s where I get nervous about leaving anybody out! My roommate, Nick Catania has been listening to MY AiDS since I started scrapping it together and been my biggest supporter. At Hand Executive Director, Producer Extraordinaire and the Romy to my Michele, Justin Scribner! My director Dave Solomon has helped me craft the piece and keeps me from bullshitting. Scenic design -stress Shoko Kambara reached into my little brain and pulled out a fabulous homey, cozy environment for me… Zach Blaine our lighting designer has literally illumined my thoughts. Then there’s Angela Kiessel our stage manager who puts me in my place when I need it and keeps the whole thing going.

AM-You performed MY AiDS at The LGBT Center here in NYC before this production, how is this experience different?

DH -I loved doing it at the Gay Center. It was so off the cuff, informal and intimate. We’ve really tried to keep that vibe with the current production and I think we’re succeeding. It’s a bigger space and a more traditional theatre so I’m learning how to reach my audience because I can’t see every single person in the room with the lights and all. But the connection is still there. I do however look forward to performing it for whoever, wherever I can in any kind of space (conference room, college, Broadway, YOUR house) as long as I am connected to everyone in the room. The piece itself has changed a little in terms of story as things in my life have changed since the performance at The Center. I just want to keep it honest and fresh, so I think there will always be little changes here and there as time marches on and I continue to perform it.

AM-You are working alongside a lot of LGBT charities and foundations with this show. Why is philanthropy important to you?

DH-Justin Scribner (At Hand Executive Director) said it best. To paraphrase, it’s really wonderful and important to us (and to me) to be supporting a community AND to be supported by the LGBT community. It puts all of us in it together. I also think art is really inspiring and transformative. Working with these groups puts that transformative experience into action. You’re in the audience and you hear a story about a guy with HIV and realize that you in your own way have experienced that kind of shit. Then after the curtain call you hear about a group that helps people with HIV or helps victims of abuse, or works with gay youth, or provides shelter and NOW it’s universal. (back to that!) You identify, you sign up for their mailing list, you give what you have in your pocket, you write a check. Because it’s not just about me. It’s not just about you. So yeah, it’s a thrill to use my art to raise that kind of awareness.

MY AiDS will be playing at Urban Stages through March 1st. For more information visit www.athandtheatre.com

The Happiest Medium » Solo Performer

Get STUPEFIED By Paul Hutcheson

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