I thought I was only going to take part in one marathon this year, but I'm doing another one in Denver. In the form of a one man show called "The Kid" starring...um...ME!
For those of you who know me, you might be surprised- I'm such a wall flower with not much to say, kind of keeping my thoughts to myself... yeah right!! Well, I guess I finally got my wish. You will hear me!!!! On the contrary, maybe this is the first time, I am really taking the time to figure out what I want to say before I actually say it. Learning how to listen to others and most importantly to myself. "What are you really trying to say, Joe?"
I don't think I necessarily find "the answer". It IS a journey- the show and certainly the making of the show. Its something that I have been playing out in my mind and in bits and pieces on stage throughout my life. And in my everyday life. The world is a stage for sure. But finding the balance is crucial for me if I want to live in the moment and enjoy it (when its appropriate). Or more simply put, be a "rock star" (small r) and also take a walk around the block in my slippers and smell the roses. Wha?
We are in Denver at the Denver Center for Performing Arts- an extraordinary place, with 3 big theaters and several smaller spaces- and it really couldn't be a better set up for us. Relatively speaking this run in Denver is all very last minute and everyone here at DCPA has jumped in with everything they got to build this production with us. The "us" is Eli Gonda, my director, Christine Boylan, our writer, and Mr. Rob Lewis, my musical director and good friend from NKOTB land.
We have done maybe 5 readings during the course of us writing this over the last year- with a few big breaks while I and the others did other projects, but this is the first time we have staged it.
The nature of the beast is that we build it here in a place like Denver (again if your lucky you have a facility and people like this). You "hear" the piece. You take some chances. Try things out. Cut things. Cry a little over cutting some of your fave spots that just don't serve the story. Argue with your director. Hopefully breathe, laugh and soar...before crashing and burning. And then get up the next day and try again.
OR maybe its not that complicated. maybe its just fun. Rest assured through all the "experimentation" we aim to entertain. I'm excited to share it with an audience and see where the ride takes us.
If you can make to Denver (or you're already in the area) from August 29th to September 15th, please come. Its gonna be fun!!!
AND- SPECIAL FIRST WEEK OFFER: Enter promo code "joeydenver" and get tix for just $30.00 for Aug 29-Sept 1. For last two weeks tix are $45.00 DenverCenter.org
