Five Questions. Five Answers. And One Big Decision: Rock, Paper, Or Scissors?
BLIND TO HAPPINESS
Company: Better to Burn Out Productions
BLIND TO HAPPINESS is a drama/comedy about Couks, a quirky and socially awkward dishwasher, who is struggling to get by. He is helped by his co-workers Mike, a Psychology PhD student, and Bliss, a hapless lovelorn poet. Couks is also helped by his cat, some beer, S Club 7, and (perhaps) life’s most important question – is happiness a choice?
Show Times:
- Wed 2/22 @ 7:30pm
- Fri 2/24 @ 9:00pm
- Sat 2/25 @ 5:30pm
- Tue 2/28 @ 6:00pm
- Wed 2/29 @ 7:30pm
- Sat 3/3 @ 10:00pm
Answers by Tim C. Murphy
(Creator/Performer)
Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
That’s some title. How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?
Tim: The title was inspired by a visual experiment in Daniel Gilbert’s book Stumbling on Happiness that one of my characters, Mike (PhD. Positive Psychology student), performs in the play. My play explores the question “Is happiness a choice?” through the three different characters, each struggling to find their own way towards happiness.
Diánna Martin’s Question
If you were going to invite five people, anyone from past and present, to see your FRIGID show – who would you invite and why?
Tim:Let’s see…Mike Kennard of Mump and Smoot because he helped in the initial creation. Terry Orlick, my Sport Psychology Master advisor…then Ryan Adams, Justin Vernon, and Matt Pond…three stellar musical playwrights.
Antonio Minino’s Question
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever made for your Art and was it worth it?
Tim:The biggest sacrifice I made was finally studying theatre when I was 28. I had a B. Commerce, a Masters and was a qualified teacher…but then I studied theatre intensively for two years. It was a big financial sacrifice, but well worth it.
Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and, if so, can you share it?
Tim:Yeah. Several. BLIND TO HAPPINESS is the first play that I wrote. I was new to it all. I discovered how organic it all can be…how even a chance conversation, a song lyric, a book I was reading, and self-reflection can inform the work. I discovered the joy of just going with the flow of it all and letting the story create itself.
Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?
Tim: The mandate of my company, Better to Burn Out, is to bring a mirror to the audience and their choices in life, even just for a second or two. With BLIND TO HAPPINESS I want the audience to reflect on their derivations and perceptions of happiness. To get to the true root of all happiness.
Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH
THM Bonus Question – We’re serious this year!
In the THM virtual Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH which FRIGID Show do you take on? And what do you throw?
Tim: I have to be honest here … in seeing your page on Facebook, I saw that Breathe Love Repeat is against me and chose scissors. I’ll let you guys randomly choose for me and let the RPS Gods allow this to play out as it should.
Well, Tim — that’s a pretty wise choice. Because we’ll choose PAPER for you. And while paper makes you lose to Breathe Love Repeat, it does give you a WIN over Love in the Time of Chlamydia who threw rock … so you come out even! But for your very own tournament of deaaaaath we chose a random opponent for you and that opponent is: Judge, Yuri & Executioner who threw ROCK. So … you WIN twice! Congratulations!
Thanks BLIND TO HAPPINESS for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2012 Q&A. And for playing our game! You’re officially PAPER in any and all challenges. You may win again, you may not – 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 BLIND TO HAPPINESS!
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Blind to Happiness Company: Better To Burn Out Productions Feb 22, 7:30PM Feb 24, 9:00PM Feb 25, 5:30PM Feb 28, 6:00PM Feb 29, 7:30PM Mar 03, 10:00PM $16.00 UNDER St.Marks~~~
The 2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL will run February 22-March 4 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 1st Ave and Ave A). Tickets to all shows may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444.
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