I Decided I'm Fine: A Roach Play

The Attic Collective Presents

I Decided I’m Fine: A Roach Play

Directed by Rosie Glen-Lambert

Exploring Hoarding, an American Phenomenon,

Often Stigmatized but Rarely Discussed

February 7 through March 1, 2020

 The Attic Collective is bringing its unique blend of whimsy, clowning and magical realism to Los Angeles audiences this February with its production of I Decided I’m Fine: A Roach Play directed by Rosie Glen-Lambert. Written by The Attic Collective’s literary manager Veronica Tjioe and the company’s artistic director, Glen-Lambert, the play addresses hoarding, an American phenomenon, which is often stigmatized but rarely discussed. Opening on Friday, February 7^th, the production will run for four weekends at Studio/Stage in the greater Hollywood area, closing on Sunday, March 1, 2020. I Decided I’m Fine: A Roach Play will run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. On Fridays and Saturdays the show will commence at 8:00pm, and on Sundays at 6:00pm. Tickets cost $25 for general admission and $35 for VIP tickets that include preferential, central seating and one free drink at the bar. The theater is located at 520 N. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004. For more information, please visit The Attic Collective’s site at https://www.theatticcollectivela.com/roachplay.

SYNOPSIS:

When does clutter become a problem, and whose problem does it become?

I Decided I’m Fine: A Roach Play addresses hoarding, an American phenomenon which is often stigmatized but rarely discussed. After the sudden death of the their infant child, Ellen and Stephen find themselves faced with the difficult task of moving on from the objects that remind them of the incident. For Ellen, this proves to be too overwhelming of a task, leading to years of compulsive accumulation. Juxtaposed with the play’s realism is a second layer of the play which utilizes clowning, comedy, and a cockroach musical to steer the audience through the many different ways hoarding is perceived and portrayed in society. 

The Roach Play cast features Sutton Arabe, Brandon Blum, Tyler Bremer, Meg Cashel, Kat DeVoe-Peterson, Julia Finch, Hailey McAfee, Luke Medina, Conor Murphy, Bart Tangredi and Veronica Tjioe. Rosie Glen-Lambert directs, the set is designed by Lex Gernon, costumes and props by Rebecca Carr, lighting design by Joey Guthman, sound design by James Ferrero  and makeup design by Mallory McAfee. The technical director is Austin Kottkamp, the stage manager is Angel Hernandez and graphic design is by Sunil Hall.

This version of I Decided I’m Fine: A Roach Play is a revamped adaptation of a piece originally devised by The Attic Collective that was presented at Son of Semele in August 2018. Since this initial production, the company worked collaboratively to rework the script through a series of workshops, which included improvisation and detailed research. Tjioe and Glen-Lambert incorporated these discoveries into the script, and this new production features significant changes from the first staging.

In 2019, the company’s successful run of The Last Croissant at the Hollywood Fringe Festival received numerous accolades, including the coveted “Top of the Fringe” award and the award for “Best Ensemble.” The show also received the “Best of the Broadwater” award, leading to an extended final performance to a sold-out house. The company also received nominations for the Steve Kent Award for inspiring political or social change and the Larry Cornwall Award for outstanding music in a play.

LINKS:

• I Decided I’m Fine: A Roach Play - https://www.theatticcollectivela.com/roachplay

• Tickets - https://www.artful.ly/store/events/19730

• The Attic Collective - https://www.theatticcollectivela.com

• The Attic Collective Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theatticcollective_la

• The Attic Collective Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theatticcollectiveLA

@atticcollec_la

@theatticcollectiveLA

Michael's Musings

Taste My Rainbow
Michael Shinafelt

Impeachment, Impeachment, Impeachment that's all I ever hear! "Yes" it is, and while it is important news, it is equally important to make yourself happy during this trying time. Thus I am not watching any of it as it will only serve to make me angry.

Besides with Social Media one really does not have a need to watch it. The news reports I see on my Twitter feed are frustrating enough Thank You very much! On with the show kiddos!

I'm bent and twisted, like a balloon animal

Seriously, how can anyone have bad breath at this point in history?

Overheard: It's so small and light

Remember what doesn't kill you just needs more time

According to Jessica Simpson, John Mayer was obsessed with her sexually - now isn't that special?

Speaking of special how about that leaked Lady Gaga song? Well how about it?!

When I squeeze my eyes tight, light exists, but isn't experienced. Go ahead give it a whirl.

Private Eyes are watching you. They see you get into the groove.

Woman Crush of the Week - Traci Lords who is making her stage debut tomorrow night at The Montalban in Women Behind Bars. "Yes" I will be there cheering her on!

 Bathroom Soliloquies & Other Things...

Pork Chops & Apple Sauce (you get a gold star if you know the reference, a rock if you don't)

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that" - Martin Luther King, Jr.

I may or may not have cried during Judy

Read my mind...uh huh, that's right

Now that you've guessed what I'm thinking, follow me at:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt   

Hump Day & Chill

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Tunesday Tuesday -

So I woke-up, quite early I might add. Four Ayem to be exact, with music on my mind. "Yes" it's true, so I thought "Perfect it's Tunesday Tuesday" after all!

Thus I bring you a blast from the past and my past - One Way Or Another by Blondie from their 1978 album Parallel Lines.

Although the song is stalker like I somehow find it motivating - in my mind when I hear "One way or another I'm gonna find ya" It makes want to go out and get what I want no matter what or who that is. Which is essentially the essence of the song. Debbie Harry is laser focused and getting that man or woman (the lyrics are gender neutral) no matter what.

So on this Tunesday Tuesday the mantra is: Go For It!

Hit the video for One Way Or Another after the jump -

Blondie on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/blondieofficial/?hl=en   

Monday Motivation: Fashion, Turn To The Left

Strut
Vanessa Hudgens

Last night yet another award show happened The Screen Actor's Guild Awards - yawn! One thing Award Shows do is make me think about fashion, which is a rare occurrence in this guy's life. 

Thus you'd think I'd feature someone dressed to the nines from last night, but alas, not! Hey, I'm a rebel just for kicks now.

Instead Vanessa Hudgens on her way to Good Morning America to promote Bad Boys For Life (in which she stars) caught my eye in this multi-print number that should have never worked, yet does. 

Personally I've always liked Ms. Hudgens and cop to having a bit of a girl crush on her. 

Anyway, I'm sure someday in the near future she will be wearing something along these lines when she too gets nominated for a SAG or another institutions award.

There's your Monday Motivation minions...Fashion, turn to the right.

Vanessa on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/vanessahudgens/?hl=en  

Let's Do Lunch

Lunch Time!
Lisa Vanderpump & Lance Bass

"Yes" let's do lunch is quite the catch phrase here in Los Angeles. We biz types say it all the time, but do we actually follow through? Of course we do! It's lunch damn it! arguably the most important meal of the day.

Breakfast is a close second, and if you forgo dinner you will lose weight and boost your metabolism. So there!

Well here are the poster peeps for "Doing Lunch" Queen Lisa Vanderpump and Little Prince Lance Bass hitting the table in Beverly Hills. 

These two are quite tight, as well documented in the media. I wonder what they exchange sound bites about? Hmmmmmmm...I bet it's sorta kinda pretty interesting on the inside, but is it from the back?

Think about it, but not too much - "Do Lunch" in lieu of a charitable donation to your favorite bar.

Plate Break!

LVP on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/lisavanderpump/?hl=en

Lance in IG -
https://www.instagram.com/lancebass/?hl=en  

MERCE

I Scream, You Scream...
MERCE

MERCE, THE HIV-POSITIVE MUSICAL COMEDY WEB SERIES, RETURNS FOR SECOND SEASON

New Episodes Premiere on January 21  

The award-winning HIV-positive musical comedy web series, MERCE — beloved for its MGM classic film ethos mixed with potty mouth flair — returns in January for its second hilarious season. Produced by Skipping Boyz Productions and made possible via a crowdfunding campaign on Fractured Atlas that raised over $60,000 from fans, the second season of MERCE features eight new episodes, each with its own elaborately choreographed original musical number.  All of the series favorite characters are back, too.  The outrageous Southern Mama played by Tyne Firmin shines along with the fabulous fairies and, of course, the loveable Merce played by Charles Sanchez.  Exciting new characters are introduced as well; among them are judgmental Aunt Bless, Lisa (with an S) Minnelli and a smattering of titillating Eye Candy Boys. The hijinks are raised to unprecedented heights in season two yet the series manages to dive into some hot button topics impacting today’s HIV community as well, including PrEP, slut shaming, and gay marriage.  Additionally, and most particularly mahhvelous for fans of the series, Merce finds love in season 2!  The second season of MERCE premieres in the USA on Vimeo and Youtube and in Europe on OUTtv on January 21.

“One of the things I love about Merce as a character is that he doesn’t apologize for any aspect of who he is,” says Charles Sanchez, who, in addition to starring as the show’s lead character, is the writer and producer of MERCE.  “He's not afraid of his own HIV and remains as audaciously gay as gay can be.”

Woot!
MERCE

Like the character he portrays, Sanchez is HIV positive.  He sees MERCE as an opportunity to show the world a different side of the epidemic.  “While living with HIV is no picnic, it’s not the drama that it used to be,” he explains.  “No one that I know living with HIV walks around with a sad cloud above their head.”

Tyne Firmin, the show’s director and producer (who also plays Southern Mama) remembers videotaping people in Central Park in 2015, before filming of the series began.  “We asked them one simple question, ‘Who is your favorite HIV-positive character on TV or in the movies?’  The answers were mostly ‘Ummm…’ A few mentioned a character from one of the historical films about the AIDS crisis but nothing current. We wanted to change that.”

He and Sanchez designed MERCE in bright, neon technicolor, and they filled it with sassy one-liners.   Instead of a tragic, lonely condition, they depict a world that’s joyful, funny, supportive, and where no one in his world treats Merce any differently because of his status.

They also sneak in some education for viewers.  In season two, we learn about serodiscordant relationships (where one person in the relationship is living with HIV and one is not) and U equals U (Undetectable equals Untransmittable), a worldwide campaign that has shined a spotlight on recent scientific evidence that proves those with an undetectable viral load (meaning that the virus is not detected in lab tests) pose zero risk of transmitting HIV.   The campaign has been a huge success worldwide but has been slow to be recognized in the USA.  

“I hope people come to realize that someone living with HIV is similar to a person living with diabetes or heart disease,” says Firmin.  As an HIV-negative gay man, he acknowledges that the show has helped him to adjust his concept of people living with HIV and hopes it does the same for viewers.   “If you take care of yourself, work with your healthcare professionals, and take your medications properly, life can be positive when you’re positive!” And musical, as well! Original songs for the second season of MERCE are composed by Rob Hartmann and Adam J. Rineer, and include titles like “Click Delete!”, “Hurt Like a Bitch”, “Your Cure”, and “Bless Your Heart.” Musical numbers are staged by Garrett Caillouet and Charles Sanchez.

The fabulous fairies are played by Sean Griffin, Alex Tomas and Alex Lawrence.  Bess Eckstein plays roommate Corvette and Randall Taylor stars as boyfriend Remington.  The award-winning blogger Mark S. King (from MyFabulousDisease.com) joins the cast as Aunt Bless, Amanda Bruton plays Lisa (with an S) Minnelli and Sam Given is a scene stealer as cousin Todd.

MERCE, season 2 has been included in Canada’s Rainbow Reels Festival, America’s Rainbow Film Festival, and it was selected for the 2019 Kaleidoscope Film Festival. OUTtv has signed on to feature the second season in its programming throughout Europe, reaching audiences in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Sweden, Israel, and Spain.

For more information, a complete cast list, or to catch up on season one of MERCE, visit MerceTheSeries.com. Follow MerceTheSeries on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.