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

Drag Queen Stole My Dress

Production Company: The Theatre Elusive

From the award winning company that brought you “Love in the Time of Time Machines”, (Hangover Selection & Audience Choice Winner 2013) comes the story of knowing who you are, forgetting who you are, wondering who the hell you are, and that one time a drag queen stole my goddamn dress.

Show Times:

• Sat 2/22 @ 8:25PM
• Mon 2/24 @ 5:30PM
• Thur 2/27 @ 10:15PM
• Sun 3/02 @ 12:30PM
• Tues 3/04 @ 7:05PM
• Sat 3/08 @ 5:15PM

Answers by Gillian English
(Writer, Performer and Producer )

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?

GE: I tell them that I cancelled my wedding, and they’ll either say “Yes, I know.” or “OH MY GOD, YOU WERE ENGAGED?” Then I tell them that a drag queen once stole my dress, and it made me mad. My friends will say ” What does that have to do with you calling off your wedding?” And I say “Everything.”
This is the story of what happens you decide to let someone else define who you are, and the struggle that ensues when you decide to take that power back. It’s frigging hilarious.

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?

GE: I hope they’re talking about weird relationships and situations they’ve been in. I want people to really relate to my story, because it is something that happens to so many people. Everyone’s life is full of craziness, you just have to take a step back and see it. Once you do, life gets very entertaining.
Then I want them to talk about how bizarre my particular situation was, and how all of their friends should definitely check out the show too, because they’ll jut love it, and so on so forth.

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

GE: I’d have to say character. This show is about how the little moments and the big events all have a hand in shaping who we are.

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?

GE: I’m a last minute replacement. I wasn’t planning on debuting this show until June. So, the show was not exactly ready when I agreed to participate in Frigid. The festival was about 5 weeks away when I got on board, and everyone on my team believes in me. No one told me it was a silly idea to take my show from a rough draft to opening night in just over a month. Everyone told me I can do it. No hesitation, and that makes me believe I can.

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?

GE: I’d probably get a set, which is something I never really bother with on a Fringe tour. Sets don’t exactly fit in a suitcase. So, a nice big elaborate set with moving pieces and lots of levels. I have no idea what I’d do them, but I’d figure it out.

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?

GE: I’d make my show a musical. I’d hire someone to teach me to sing, and another person to teach me to dance. Then Trey Parker and Matt Stone to write the music and lyrics. And we’d all work together to turn my life into a Broadway Musical. It would be glorious and stupid; which would be the point.

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?

GE: The story of how I bought my wedding dress will probably get different reactions from different people. It’s sheds a light into the psyche of the audience; some people think I behaved with perfect sanity, others think it was a pure Bridezilla moment. I have my own thoughts on my conduct (6 years later) but I won’t share them with you here.

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

GE: “You live in sin, and everyone knows it” – my 95 year old grandmother

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?

GE: Um, well seeing as this is my life story; yes people live the way my characters do. I do at least. And yes, I want a world where they keep living. I quite like my life and all the people in it. Well most of the people in it…

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?

GE: It’s Mindy Kaling. I’m shocked that my incessant tweeting at her actually worked.

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:   I would like to challenge Tina and Amy: Last Night in Paradise

THROWS: I throw Paper.

Thanks Drag Queen Stole My Dress 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 Drag Queen Stole My Dress !

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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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