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 !

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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. 

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