EMERGENCY A La Carte
nytheatre.com q&a preview by Nancy Redman
October 20, 2012
What is your job on this show?
writer and performer .
Do you consider yourself a writer who also performs, an actor who also writes, or something else?
I am a writer and performer. I can't live without either.
It began as far back as grade school and cannot remember a time I did one without the other.
My life's work is writing and performing with humor.
If you have appeared in United Solo, tell us what show(s) you have done here previously. What about your prior experience led you back to this festival?
The October and upcoming November performances mark my third invitation to appear in the United Solo Theatre Festival. In 2010 I premiered my play "CLUTTER: I'm Saving My Life and It's Killing Me," and was invited back for repeat performances the following year, garnering Austin Pendleton the 2010 Award for Best Director. I was honored to receive the 2011 Award for Best Comedian.
Working in United Solo is a life dream realized. Omar Sangare's
vision, kindness and understanding of the solo performer extends to the entire United Solo team and has made performing
in this festival one of the best experiences of my life.
In your own words, what do you think this show is about? What will audiences take away with them after seeing it?
"EMERGENCY A La Carte" is about surviving life's pain and suffering with humor.
The play deals with learning to live with death. Learning to live.
I hope audiences will join me in celebrating the mysteries of life,
death and the human condition.
Which “S” word best describes your show: SMOOTH, SEXY, SMART, SURPRISING?
Surprising.
Everything about this play has surprised me.
The plot, the characters, the ending.
I encourage everyone to be surprised with me.
It has been a thrilling ride I love sharing with the audience.
Who are your heroes?
Austin Pendleton, Neil Simon, Lenny Bruce, my mother, Shirley Freedman, my boyfriends, Jason Christmas and Martin Harvey Friedberg.
