New Art Form to Be Showcased in THE MAMMAL PROBLEM
True Story Project will perform a showcase of its groundbreaking play "The Mammal Problem" at the Jerry Orbach Theater on Broadway, Oct. 31. The performance art group blends nonfiction storytelling with live, original music, often incorporating interpretive dance and live-art painting to create a unique collaboration of the arts.
Bassist and synth player David Bailis-from the popular Brooklyn-based, electro-funk band Pimps of Joytime-will join Juilliard musicians Chelsea Starbuck Smith (violin) of Les Deux and Adam Rothenberg (piano) for the showcase. Renowned percussionist Jimmy Lopez, who has performed with artists such as Gypsy Kings and Better Than Ezra, will round out the music ensemble.
The group is led by writer-storyteller Eric Valentine and singer-songwriter Laio. The duo wrote the script and the music for the play, respectively. Both direct and perform. What makes the collaboration especially unique is that Valentine and Laio create their respective works separately, pairing story and song together when themes and emotion match.
Annie Bulow is the group's actor. She is a graduate of the Michael Howard Studio, an acting conservatory based in New York, and holds a bachelor's degree in theatre arts from Boise State University, where she teaches acting for Idaho Shakespeare Festival.
WHAT'S THE 'PROBLEM'?
The play recounts the past 20 years of Valentine's life, since the death of his first wife, Lisa (played by Bulow), who succumbed to bone cancer at just 23. Valentine's stories are paired with songs written independently by Laio but matching in emotion and theme. Bulow introduces each story through monologue and aside, which are also accompanied by music.
"The Mammal Problem" is the name of a theory Valentine-who holds both a psychology and philosophy degree from UCLA-developed to explain human suffering in general, but more specifically how our species forms ideas about life's meaning and God.
The tagline for the play is: Two lovers separated by time and space. He must live on without her. She must watch him do it.
watch for a preview:
Videos
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bala.fruta./bullet.fruit | Stage & Film Summer Season at Marist Marist University Symphonic Hall (7/11-7/11) |
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WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND | Stage & Film Summer Season at the Bardavon Bardavon 1869 Opera House (8/01-8/02) |
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TRIP AROUND THE SUN | Stage & Film Summer Season at Marist University Marist University Symphonic Hall (7/26-7/26) |
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International Human Rights Art Festival 30th Street theater (6/05-6/07) |
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PAPER MENAGERIE | Stage & Film Summer Season at the Bardavon Bardavon 1869 Opera House (7/19-7/19) |
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LA CASA DE BERNARDA ALBA Repertorio (11/15-12/31) |
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LA GRINGA Repertorio (2/08-12/31) |
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LAGNIAPPE | Stage & Film Summer Season at Marist University Marist University Symphonic Hall (7/11-7/11) |
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WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND | Stage & Film Summer Season at Bardavon Bardavon 1869 Opera House (7/31-7/31) |
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EN EL TIEMPO DE LAS MARIPOSAS Repertorio (1/07-12/31) |
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