Q&A with Alan Fox for October's Plus 1 Solo Show Fest - Series B

Alan Fox, solo show artist

This fall, Tongue in Cheek has selected 8 solo show artists to take part in its tenth Plus 1 Solo Show Festival, which runs October 20 & 21 followed by 27 & 28.  For tickets and more, visit www.tictheater.com.

We recently interviewed Alan Fox, whose piece, Dear Mr. President, will be featured in Series B in the festival, running October 27 & 28.  Read on, and then go grab your tickets!

Who or what got you interested in telling your solo show? 
I was lucky enough to see John Leguizamo on Broadway a few years back and was blown away. Here was a guy blending socially relevant topics with humor in a way I had never seen....and people were listening to him. Or at least I was, and that was all it took to become interested in the idea of a solo show. One day I was looking through a bunch of short stories I had written and realized they all dealt the idea of "the man" (young, straight, white americans) commenting/reacting to a society they were watching change before their very eyes. Inhabiting the form of the oppressor/villian through out American history (the straight white male), I had a bunch of early 20's characters trying to make sense of expectations they were taught compared to what they were actually finding reality to be. For whatever reason this reminded me of Leguizamo's show in that it captured a certain demographic of America at a certain time. I figured "hey, maybe this could be turned into a one person show" and then "Expectation: Tales From The Majority Minority" was born. "Dear Mr. President" is a piece from that.

Who has helped you along the way with creating this piece? 
I want to send a thousand thanks to my director and acting teacher Kimberly Ryan. To be around her for an hour is to be exposed to the countless gifts she possess. I could spend pages going on about her coaching/teaching abilities but what I'd like to thank her for the most in this process is her tireless support and her unique way of trusting whole heartedly in where a performer is headed before they themselves can even see it. Also I want to thank Marc Glick (he deserves a novel) but I will keep it short at: It is my hope that everyone can name the first person that made them really believe in themselves. Marc is that person for me.

What do you hope to do with your piece after Plus 1?
After Plus 1 I hope that I can continue to work/rehearse/work shop on the piece as a whole and in time have a run at a theater here in New York. More than where is lands, I am focusing and excited about who it will land with. Often times I feel as if I am writing it for my grandfather, conservative and apprehensive about where America is headed in every sense of the word, and it's my hope that one day he will see it and maybe not feel so threatened by the changes he sees in the country he loves.

Thanks so much, Alan!  Cannot wait to see your piece later this month!  

Series B of the Plus 1 Solo Show Festival runs Sunday, October 27 & Monday, October 28 at 8 pm 

@ The Bridge Theatre (244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor)

Tickets are $20 at http://www.smarttix.com/Show.aspx?ShowCode=SER11 or by calling 212-868-4444
Everything you ever wanted to know about the festival can be found at www.tictheater.com, too.

Q&A with Andreanna Buccheri for October's Plus 1 Solo Show Fest - Series B

This fall, Tongue in Cheek has selected 8 solo show artists to take part in its tenth Plus 1 Solo Show Festival, which runs Series A: October 20 & 21 followed by Series B: October 27 & 28.  For tickets and more, visit www.tictheater.com.

We recently interviewed Andreanna Buccheri, whose piece, Ballad of a Beauty Queen, will be featured in Series B in the festival, running October 27 & 28.  Read on, and then go grab your tickets!

What inspired you to write this piece?

This big hair is filled with secrets.

Whenever I meet someone, I feel like I have to "out" myself every time I have to reveal that I am actually a pageant girl. And then as people find out, the stream of questions and comment ensue.

I wanted to write this show to address what it's really like to be in our shoes- six inches with platforms and all- and denounce a lot of the misconceptions I often hear.

What might an audience member be surprised to learn about you?
A part about me that is not revealed in my piece is that I'm absolutely in love with my two German Shepherds, Gunnar and Tanner. They're huge dogs, but they're both very gentle and loving. I adore taking naps on the couch with them, especially during winter!

What are your goals for the piece after the Plus 1 Solo Show Festival?
After Plus 1, I would love to keep writing my show to expand it to be a full hour to an hour and a half, and keep performing it. It would be wonderful to bring it to the stage again!

Absolutely, Andreanna!  Here's to a great ballad of beauty queenery later this month!  

Series B of the Plus 1 Solo Show Festival runs Sunday, October 27 & Monday, October 28 at 8 pm 

@ The Bridge Theatre (244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor)

Tickets are $20 at http://www.smarttix.com/Show.aspx?ShowCode=SER11 or by calling 212-868-4444
Everything you ever wanted to know about the festival can be found at www.tictheater.com, too.

Q&A with Kaitlan Emery for October's Plus 1 Solo Show Fest - Series B

This fall, Tongue in Cheek has selected 8 solo show artists to take part in its tenth Plus 1 Solo Show Festival, which runs Series A: October 20 & 21 followed by Series B: October 27 & 28.  For tickets and more, visit www.tictheater.com.

We recently interviewed Kaitlan Emery, whose piece, DTMM: I'm a Mormon, will be featured in Series B in the festival, running October 27 & 28.  Read on, and then go grab your tickets!

What inspired you to write this piece?

Seriously, please don't tell.

It started out as a funny story I would tell to friends, or at parties. I have one friend in particular who would always ask me to tell it wherever we went. I eventually wrote it down, and started to think about more components that contribute to the story of my mom and that one time I said the "F" word in front of her and why it's so different, yet accessible.

Most of the struggles I've had are not unlike everyone else's, it's just that I happen to be raised Mormon. I'm asking the same life questions as everyone else around me, it's just informed differently.

Does that answer this question? Short answer: vanity.

What might an audience member be surprised to learn about you?
I've had kidney stones three times. So there's that…

Name one of the funniest or weirdest things that have ever happened to you onstage.
I seem to be an instigator of practical jokes on stage. I was in a production of Noises Off  earlier this year. Playing the stage manager, Poppy, I would come on stage with "the script" to show a character her lines.

Before I'd go on stage I would write or draw something inappropriate in "the script" just to see if I could make her laugh. It would always backfire, because watching the my friend on stage trying not to laugh was the funniest thing. I could never keep it together. There was also that time I had to crucify the main character of a lesbian rock opera I was in…you know what, never mind.

Great stuff, Kaitlan!  We're so excited to see your piece later this October!  

Series B of the Plus 1 Solo Show Festival runs Sunday, October 27 & Monday, October 28 at 8 pm 

@ The Bridge Theatre (244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor)

Tickets are $20 at http://www.smarttix.com/Show.aspx?ShowCode=SER11 or by calling 212-868-4444
Everything you ever wanted to know about the festival can be found at www.tictheater.com, too.

Q&A with Rose Andrez for October's Plus 1 Solo Show Fest - Series B

This fall, Tongue in Cheek has selected 8 solo show artists to take part in its tenth Plus 1 Solo Show Festival, which runs Series A: October 20 & 21 followed by Series B: October 27 & 28.  For tickets and more, visit www.tictheater.com.

We recently interviewed Rose Andrez, whose piece, Lost in Suburbia: The Demise of the Domestic Diva, will be featured in Series B in the festival, running October 27 & 28.

Read on, and then go grab your tickets!

Rose Andrez, in suburbia

Who or what got you interested in telling your solo show? 
 I was at a low point in my life. I was talking to my good friends, James and Diana and they suggested I write about what I was going through. They said, Matt Hoverman teaches a class called Create Your Own Solo Show. You should try it. I knew Matt from many years ago, but I haven't seen him in years. I literally bumped into him the next day in NYC. I thought it was a sign. I thought maybe writing my solo show would help me figure out what happened to me. It was the best decision in my life. I think everyone should write a solo show about their life story. I received so much healing and insights about myself. If you are interested in finding out what happened to me, come to the Plus 1 Solo Show Festival and find out.

Who has helped you along the way with creating this piece?
Matt Hoverman (Create Your Own Solo Show), I literally could have not done it without him. I took Matt's class three times to develop each act and then performed it at the end of his classes to an audience. I also hired Matt to coach me on my writing and get the script in a good place. Matt Hoverman is a genius!  He is so knowledgeable, compassionate and generous. I can go on and on for how deeply grateful I am to Matt.

Then Matt suggested I take Molly Pearson's Produce Your Own Work class. I learned in Molly's class about the business aspects of producing my own piece. I continue to work with her because it's like having a business partner who supports me and guides me on my piece. Molly is fantastic. She has produced her own films and theater productions and knows what she is talking about. She is an expert in her field and her loving support has allowed me to dream big and create a project that I believe in deeply.

I recently started working with Jay Stern, my director. He is helping me shape Act II for the Plus 1 Solo Show festival and perform it to my fullest. I love working with Jay. He is bright, funny and gifted. He has an ability to help me focus on the heart of the material.

I must also say a big thank you to my wonderful husband, Greg who witnessed my demise. He has encouraged me from the beginning to write this piece and to share it with the world.

Who are you talking to in your piece? 
My audience is a group of strangers who hopefully can learn from my life. My intention in writing this piece is to inspire people to discover their unique voice. We are living in in such challenging times where so many of the old paradigms are breaking down. As challenging as it is, it's also an exciting time to create new ways of living. There is power in sharing our stories. My hope is to wake people up and challenge them with my story. Are they living their life true to who they are or true to the relentless expectations of society? Only they know their truth.

Thanks so much, Rose!  So excited see your piece later this month!  

Series B of the Plus 1 Solo Show Festival runs Sunday, October 27 & Monday, October 28 at 8 pm 

@ The Bridge Theatre (244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor)

Tickets are $20 at http://www.smarttix.com/Show.aspx?ShowCode=SER11 or by calling 212-868-4444
Everything you ever wanted to know about the festival can be found at www.tictheater.com, too.

Lost In Suburbia is Rose's first solo show that she has been developing with Matt Hoverman, Molly Pearson and Jay Stern. Performing credits: The Duplex, Triad, The Tralf, Don’t Tell Mama, two CDs, “Lucky Woman”, “I Got A Man” and collaborated with Grammy winning engineer, Dae Bennett who recorded the single Wonderful.

Load In Lessons: HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE

Yesterday was a big day: loading in for How I Learned to Drive at the Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios.  Tickets are selling fast (Fri 10/18 and Thur 10/24 are sold out and Fri 10/31 is almost there as well)!  Get your hot ticket here: http://www.smarttix.com/Show.aspx?ShowCode=HOW27

Some people think a degree in theater is highly impractical, but on Load In Day, a theater artist, technician or lackey employs the following disciplines:

Spatial Relationships/Geometry: cramming boxes and props into a borrowed van.  Someone will say, "We can't fit all those IKEA boxes in here!"  But you do.  Somehow.

Engineering: you will hang and focus lights with NASA-like intensity.  "This angle won't work for that entrance.  They'll be on the dark side."  Discussion of refraction and ROYGBIV ensue.

Shop Class-iness: the voice of your shop teacher rings in your head as you sit on the floor with an Allen wrench, constructing a cheap table and cursing.  You're glad you're not wearing a tie and using the sander, which any good student of shop knows can only end badly.

Physical Conditioning: helpful when painting walls.  You're just glad you're doing the one upstage wall and that you tricked your stage manager into measuring out the perimeter with painter's tape.  Drink your coffee.  Get pumped.  And remember to apply two coats.

Diplomacy:  you may need to talk to surly people when you emerge 12 hours into your day, blinking like the hazy mole you have become.  Non-theater people will not understand that you have been in a closed space inhaling paint, assembling tables, hanging lights and lifting heavy items.  Do not speak.  Eat something filling for this 5 pm lunch, then return to the darkness.

Philosophy and Religious Studies: theater people are superstitious pagans, who, while under the influence of non-low-VOC paint, impart their world view and wisdom freely.  Consider playing Bob Marley on your iPhone to underscore the messages of tolerance and freedom.

Math: measuring twice and painting once ensures your stage manager does not abandon ship.  Also, count those little wooden inserts you need to make that Scandinavian bookcase stand upright.

English: at some point, the actors will arrive and speak this language with great emotion, until the stage manager yells "Hold!" All bodies will freeze, until someone cracks a joke.

Note: we are still trying to find a practical use for that minor in accounting.

Q&A with Dale Davidson for October's Plus 1 Solo Show Fest - Series A

This fall, Tongue in Cheek has selected 8 solo show artists to take part in its tenth Plus 1 Solo Show Festival, which runs October 20, 21, 27 & 28.  For tickets and more, visit www.tictheater.com.

We recently interviewed Ms. Dale Davidson, which will be featured in Series A in the festival, running October 20 & 21.  Read on, and then go grab your tickets!

Who or what got you interested in doing this show?

Dale Davidson, Fearfully Funny

While doing improv and classes at the Magnet Theater, I noticed they have a Storytelling class with Adam Wade. I had listened to The Moth on radio, and had been to The Liar Show and other fun storytelling events. Many times after those shows, I thought, “I have weird, funny stories to tell.” So I signed up for Adam’s class. After completion, Adam even asked me to repeat my tale at one of his monthly “Adam Wade from NH Show” performances.

I had attended loads of solo shows, having been involved with FringeNYC for its entire 17 years – first as audience, then as a participant and also as a staff member.  It became clear that some of the best solo shows credited Matt Hoverman, he of www.createyourownsoloshow.com. I signed up and recently took his Levels 1 and 2 courses. The production here in the Plus One Solo Show Festival is a vignette of what I worked on in Matt’s classes.

Matt is a genius! He makes it easy to hone what you want to say and how to say it. The “elements” he shares of how to structure and present your material are so helpful. Matt also imparts an appreciation of everyone’s stories and how fascinating we human beings are. Part of what makes us human is empathy. Our individual tales are universal. Sharing them allows both the performer and the audience member to embrace the concept that we are not alone – an important way to combat loneliness and depression. Theatre is the art of connecting people and to sometimes present solutions to our human problems.

[Editor's note: It's true about Matt Hoverman's genius--more than half of Plus 1 Solo Show festival participants have studied with him to craft their pieces. His students' works are consistently brilliant, too!]

Who's your audience?
Action cures fear. That's one of the most powerful lessons I've learned from combatting "inner obstacles" for so many years. Here's another homily: Fear is excitement turned inward. I would love to help young people become consciously courageous and embrace confidence in a healthy way. Becoming an adult is such a challenge (not to mention all of the hormonal craziness!). Silly me, I always thought that the purpose of our lives was to improve ourselves over time. (To paraphrase myself, "I'd better be getting better!") But I'm shocked to find too many people stop growing. I believe much of what blocks them is fear.

On a political level, this country has swerved into actually stoking people's anxieties. I see media "pundits" and politicians using phobia and hatred to enhance their own careers and personal wealth. Xenophobia has given way to general negativity and The Blame Game (especially directed toward President Obama), which has leaked down to voters who are in denial of their racism.

Wouldn't it be loverly to reverse THAT trend with my little show!

Indeed!  Thanks so much, Dale -- can't wait to see you perform!

Series A of the Plus 1 Solo Show Festival runs Sunday, October 20 & Monday, October 21 at 8 pm 
@ The Bridge Theatre (244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor)

Tickets are $20 at http://www.smarttix.com/Show.aspx?ShowCode=SER9 or by calling 212-868-4444
Everything you ever wanted to know about the festival can be found at www.tictheater.com, too.

Q&A with Nora Vetter for October's Plus 1 Solo Show Festival - Series A

This fall, Tongue in Cheek has selected 8 solo show artists to take part in its tenth Plus 1 Solo Show Festival, which runs October 20, 21, 27 & 28.  For tickets and more, visit www.tictheater.com.

We recently interviewed Nora Vetter, whose piece, Unfinished Adventure, will be featured in Series A in the festival, running October 20 & 21.  Read on, and then go grab your tickets!

Nora Vetter, Unfinished Adventure-r!

What's a fun fact about you that isn't revealed in the piece? 
I was part of a clown troupe (my clown alias was Gumdrop) when I was in third grade. I even joined the circus (for a day) and to this day I can make balloon animals or rather variations on a dog.

If your piece were turned into a movie, describe the genre, ideal film director and any supporting cast or players you would cast?
It would be a comedy. And since it would be more of a coming of age type comedy the first director that came to mind would be John Hughes but alas I've missed my opportunity there. Cameron Crowe would definitely be a close second and I'm sure the soundtrack would be phenomenal! Speaking of the soundtrack though, the supporting cast would have to include the remaining members of The Monkees. Jake Johnson, Chris O'Dowd and Rebel Wilson would be on the cast wish list as well.

What do you hope to do with your piece after Plus 1?
My director, Rachel Dart, and I have already discussed the possibility of creating a separate full cast piece inspired by the completed screenplay referenced in the show. But rather than a film it would most likely start out on stage. And we are most certainly not opposed to that stage being on Broadway. :)

Awesome!  Thanks so much, Nora -- it's going to be wonderful to be a part of your adventure!

Series A of the Plus 1 Solo Show Festival runs Sunday, October 20 & Monday, October 21 at 8 pm 
@ The Bridge Theatre (244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor)

Tickets are $20 at http://www.smarttix.com/Show.aspx?ShowCode=SER9 or by calling 212-868-4444
Everything you ever wanted to know about the festival can be found at www.tictheater.com, too.