A New Play by Claire Rice Directed by Neil Higgins
April 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29 8PM
Bindlestiff Studio 185, 6th St. SF
Hey, don’t write yourself off… yet.
Awesome Theatre is thrilled to work with Bindlestiff Studios to present a hauntingly hilarious new gothic romance / dark comedy by national treasure, Claire Rice.
What would you do if you fell in love with a hot older man and were haunted by the ghost of his past lover all while working a minimum-wage summer job at the mall? Would you let the gothic romance of it all take you down, or would you fight against fate?
Do you have what it takes to be goth enough to handle the haunting romance, the fiery passion, and the ultimate act of rebellion? Come find out as we challenge fate and explore what happens when we dare to write ourselves off.
Featuring: Janelle Aguirre, Max Seijas, Sidney McNulty, Alex Trono, and Nikki Nutterfield
Artistic Staff: Natalie Ashodian, Erica Andracchio, Neil Higgins, Colin Johnson, Kenna Lindsay, Nikki Meñez, Anthony R. Miller, Matt Owens, Dave Ragaza, Claire Rice, Puja Tolton, Olivia Vazquez, and Kelli Westad.
We are looking for designers and stage managers to join the Awesome Team!
Do you have any interest in set, props, costume, sound, video, or lighting design, or being a stage manager or assistant stage manager? Are you bored of the pompous, fancy-pants theatre scene? Or are you just not sure where to get your start? We welcome team members at all experience levels. Awesome Theatre is a volunteer-run non-profit arts organization that is dedicated to providing a space for bay-area artists to exercise their creative funny-bones and enjoy themselves.
While we are a volunteer-run organization, all artists are given an expense and travel stipend.
Introduce yourself and ask us some questions at nikki@awesometheatre.or info@awesometheatre.org
Awesome Theatre is saying goodbye to PianoFight with two premiere film screenings in one night. (Yes, we make movies too.) Don’t miss this extraordinary double feature of short films guaranteed to capture your imagination, delight you, and perplex you. One film is a bizarre new story created by the mad genius Christopher Magee. The other is a project that was made in the doldrums of the COVID lockdown and will now get its first public screening.
We’re Sorry For Making This
A Short Film Witten By Christopher Magee Directed by Jess Thomas
“Digby, a performer, pilot, perhaps a used car salesman, wants to share their world with you… but are you ready?”
From the mind of Christopher Magee comes a tale of manic wonder. Our host Digby guides you through their world of talking rooms, murderous cameras, and avant-garde cinema. Will she be able to share her opus with the world, or will ethereal absurdity swallow her whole? Seriously though, this is quite possibly the weirdest thing we’ve done.
Featuring: Anna Kritikos, Mary Ann Rodgers. Renee Rogoff, Kyle McCurdy, and Nora Fernandez Doane McCurdy
I Broke the Looking Glass
A Short Film Written by Puja Tolton Directed by Phil Wong
Eddy is on an epic quest… to get her shit together
This film was originally made in late 2020 in the middle of the COVID lockdown. It originally premiered on YouTube and will now receive its first in-person screening! Times are strange and Eddy is cracking up. She’s lost her job, her housemate is mad at her, and long-avoided family issues have peaked their ugly head. After one bad day leads to an overdue breakdown, Eddy falls into a fantasy realm that looks suspiciously like our own. Will her quest through this fantastic world help her face her fears and go to therapy? Or will she give up and become the Dark Lord’s social media manager? Featuring catcalling dragons, wise goblins, hip half-orcs, and licensed therapists (who also happen to be elves). Written by Awesome theatre’s 2020 artist-in-residence, “I Broke the Looking Glass” is a funny and sincere love letter to Oakland, Nerd Culture, and Self Care.
Awesome Theatre proudly presents its 2023 lineup of new work, by local artists, that celebrate everything wonderfully weird in the world. This year, we’re presenting two mainstage plays packed with murder, mayhem and 4th wall breaking arson. Not to mention the premiere of our latest and weirdest film project, and a sneak peek at the final installment of TERROR-RAMA.
We’re Sorry For Making This
A Short Film Witten By Christopher McGee Directed by Jess Thomas
Premiere Screening February 2023
“Digby, a performer, pilot, perhaps a used car salesman, wants to share their world with you… but are you ready?”
From the mind of Christopher Magee comes a tale of manic wonder. Our host Digby guides you through their world of talking rooms, murderous cameras, and avant garde cinema. Will she be able to share her opus with the world, or will ethereal absurdity swallow her whole? Seriously though, this is quite possibly the weirdest thing we’ve done.
Are You Goth Enough To Be Haunted, Fall In Love With The Wrong Guy, Get Revenge And Burn Down The Mall?
Written By Claire Rice Directed by Neil Higgins
Fri/Sat 7 PM April 14-29 2023
“Hey, don’t write yourself off…yet.”
What would you do if you fell in love with a hot older man and were haunted by the ghost of his past lover all while working at a minimum-wage summer job at the mall? Would you let the gothic romance of it all take you down, or would you fight against fate? Burn baby burn.
Lizard Women
Written by Eteya Trinidad Directed by Nikki Meñez
September / October 2023
“Cold-blooded b*tches need love, too.“
Clarissa and Tilly can’t help that they’re bloodthirsty sluts that turn into lizards. At least they have the city coven for sisterly support when the dating scene is rough, even though they’re running out of eligible roommates. But when a newbie joins the apartment and Tilly gets overly attached to her dinner, the head coven leader starts breathing down the two women’s necks… er, dewlaps. On top of that, Clarissa might want to be more than just gal pals with Tilly. Can Clarissa and Tilly make it in a lizard-eat-lizard world?
TERROR-RAMA V: THE FINAL LAST CHAPTER, The reading!
October 2023
The Horror-Theatre Double Feature as we know it will take its last ride in 2024. But first, be there for the first public reading of the two plays that will finish out the TERROR-RAMA series.
Wanna help us make it happen?
Awesome Theatre is a Volunteer-run 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Arts Organization, so your gift is totally tax deductible. And there are some pretty cool perks.
A One-Woman Cabaret Written and Performed by Nora Fernandez Doane McCurdy
December 2 & 3 7 PM
PianoFight, 144 Taylor, SF
“You’re on the VIP list, but will you make it to the party on time?”
Every year, Awesome Theatre works with one local artist all year to develop a theatrical creation all their own. This year we are thrilled to present “It’s My Party” by Nora Fernandez Doane McCurdy.
Spend an evening with Nora as she takes you on an entertaining journey of her own self-discovery, exploring topics ranging from ADHD to imposter syndrome, to the patriarchy and more, all while she dolls herself up for a bangin’ party at PianoFight — to which you’re totally invited. Be our guest and get our tickets to “It’s My Party” today.
Featuring New Plays by Jess Thomas and Alandra Hileman
October 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29
Exit Theatre 156 Eddy, SF
The Horror-Theatre Double Feature Returns…Again.
Horror-Host Sindie Chopper returns for Halloween to kick you in the death stars with two tales of intergalactic terror taking place in the vast reaches of outer space. One play guarantees to scare, the other play promises horrific hilarity.
Parallax Denigrate by Alandra Hileman
When six spacecraft workers are quarantined in a server room with no way to communicate with the outside world, mistrust, and paranoia quickly breed carnage.
Space Babes From Planet Evil By Jess Thomas
After most of the crew is killed in an alien drug-related incident, the USS Steve Gutenberg, the worst starship in the fleet, will face their greatest threat, two perfectly nice aliens.
FeaturingMarc Abrigo, Puja Tolton, DeMarcello Funes, Valerie Fachman, Helen Park, Natalia Delgado, Crystal Liu, and Tabbitha McBride.
Production Team: Colin Johnson, Kelli Westad, Nikki Meñez, Jess Thomas, Alandra Hileman, Anthony Miller, Zephaniah Bensaid, Brittany Mellerson, Tunuviel Luv, Kenna M. Lindsay and Joshua Marx.
$30 (Includes food, drink, and a whole lotta show)
We’re throwing a party. A party where we ask you for money.
Join Awesome Theatre for a night of Entertainment, casual denial, and whatever food and drink we get donated. Come to the least fancy fundraiser ever and help us raise money to continue putting on weird shows and paying artists in 2022, and if we’re lucky, 2023. All the while, celebrating 5 years of new plays, by local artists, that celebrate everything wonderfully weird about the Bay Area. Your ticket includes food, drink, entertainment, and a warm fuzzy feeling for supporting local theatre. Hosted by the hysterical Wonder Dave and Tirumari Jothi and featuring performances by Baruch Porras Hernandez, Mistress Pon-Farr, and House band Neon Ships.
THE PATH is an ensemble dark comedy about Vance Chadwick, a ’90s television relic desperate to rejuvenate his career by joining a budding religious cult in rural Georgia. When things go awry during a ritual ceremony, the Hollywood D-lister suddenly finds himself in a position of leadership and must learn to navigate cult politics, hidden agendas, and what it takes to inspire a community. Can he lead them down THE PATH of salvation, or will his newfound family go down in a hail of bullets and Bruno Mars songs?
Featuring:David Boyll, Annie Dick, Lisa C. Hu, Tavis Kammet, Emanuel Morales, and Rasheed.
Artistic and Production Staff: Marc Abrigo, Colin Johnson, Anne Yumi Kobori, Kenna M. Lindsay, Nikki Meñez, Claire Rice, Alejandro Torres, Kelli Westad, and Stephanie Whigham.
In 2020, 6 writing teams duked it out in an online contest to get their new musical produced. Now, the wait is over. At long last, our three finalists will pitch their original musical idea to our panel of celebrity judges and the winner will get their musical produced by Awesome Theatre. (Think Shark Tank for Musicals). Hosted by the STUPENDOUS Wonder Dave and Tirumari Jothi, featuring incredible live performances and a special musical guest! Be there for a night of fun, competition, and some ding-dang musical theatre.
THE MUSICALS
SINERGY
Music and Lyrics by Mike Osgood and Liz Baker, Book by Sang S. Kim
In SINergy, the Musical, we follow our naive new hire, Liz, and jaded re-hire, Mike, as they quest to get from the bottom to top of the secretive and sinisterly demonic corporation, Exicorp Inc. Together, this business duo will sacrifice for their goals, persevere for their dreams, and maybe do some murder to travel through the Seven Floors of Business and escape the dangerous trials set in place for them, all while trying not to spill their morning cup of joe. Exicorp is here to cause turmoil for our heroes BUT wants to make sure we play it all by the book because the book is GOD/important so please sign off these NDAs because it’s all about being transparent you know?
SINergy – “You should have quit while you had the chance.”
MOMMALIA
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jennifer Gallagher
From the mandolin player and vocalist for the nationally acclaimed Americana band “Run Boy Run” comes a brand new musical, “MOMMALLIA”. This all-original comedy/drama tells the story of three new mothers whose lives intertwine when they decide to form a “nanny share”. Filled with relatable moments of connection and hilarity, this musical will have you rolling from start to finish as you witness the women navigate the early days of sleep deprivation and longing for some “alone time.” Though the story draws you in with its comedic timing, you’ll stay for the more contemplative exploration of race, class, and privilege as it pertains to motherhood. Whether or not you are a mother, have a mother, or know a mother, this musical is enjoyable for all.
Pinball The Musical
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Derek Lipkin.
“You may have played pinball, but have you ever wondered what life is like “under the glass”? Now, you can! Experience the thrilling sights and sounds of a pinball adventure with Pinball! The Musical, a new Broadway-style show about one pinball trying to save the day. You will simply flip for this show! Just don’t tilt!”
THE JUDGES
Nikki Meñez– Curatorial Director for Z space. Casting Director for Awesome Theatre Leslie Waggoner-Choreographer and Director (Ray of Light, Custom Made Theatre, BAM.) Ryan Marchand– Artistic Director at Handful Players
THE HOSTS
Wonder Dave is a comedian, writer, pro-wrestling commentator, and all-around swell human. His favorite musical is “Hair”. You can find him online at wonderdave.org and on social media @teamwonderdave
Tirumari Jothi is a geeky stand-up comedian, improviser, sketch comedian, and actor based in the Bay Area and has performed at a variety of venues around California and the country. His favorite musical is “The Music Man.”
A New Comedy by Bridgette Dutta Portman Directed by Nikki Meñez
Thursday Nights at 9PM April 7 – May 12 PianoFight SF, 144 Taylor
Desperate for money, two sisters hatch a plot to recreate the “McDonalds Coffee Lady” lawsuit. But the truth comes to haunt them.
Joanne hates her job at McCarby’s: minimum wage, irritating customers, an overbearing boss, and a geeky coworker. When Jo’s sister, Char, comes up with a scheme to spill hot coffee on herself and sue McCarby’s, Jo goes along with it. Can they pull it off, or is it too tall an order? Will someone spill the beans? How many coffee puns can we cram into this synopsis? And why is a mysterious old woman following Jo? Inspired by the 1992 McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit, Coffee Lady is a tort-reform ghost story about sibling rivalry, denial, and the power of truth.
Featuring: Nikki Nutterfield, Anne Yumi Kobori, Ray Dequina, Janelle Aguirre, Barbara Ann Cecchetti, and Matt Gunnison.
Production Staff: Erica Andracchio, Jakob Bernardino, Zephaniah Bensaid, Colin Johnson, Kenna M. Lindsay, Brittany Mellerson, Nikki Meñez, Anthony R. Miller, Claire Rice, Puja Tolton, and Kelli Westad.
