Vodka, Fucking and Television
Vodka, Fucking and Television
Breaking String Theater proudly presents "Vodka, Fucking and Television" by Maksym Kurochkin, Directed by Liz Fisher, Translated by John J. Hanlon.
When:
- November 29 - December 15
- Performances Thursday, Friday, Saturdays at 8:00pm
- Double-headers (8:00pm and 10:00pm) on Friday, Dec 14 and Saturday, December 15
Where:
- Hyde Park Theatre
- 511 West 43rd Street Austin, TX 78751
Vodka, Fucking and Television is a dark comedy about a struggling writer, and the vices holding him back. But Kurochkin gives this plot a surprising twist: The vices become personified, and each gets a chance to justify their presence in the hero's life, or get the boot. Inspired by artistic malaise, Vodka, Fucking and Television calls to mind a fantastic combination of the Cohen Brothers' Barton Fink, with Sartre's No Exit.
Featuring
Noel Gaulin as The Hero
Joey Hood as Vodka
Jude Hickey as Television
Adriene Mishler as F***ing
Set by Ia Enstera
Costumes by Glenda Barnes
Lights by Steven Shirey
Video, sound, and broadcast engineering by Lowell Bartholomee
Technical Direction by Robert Matney
Directed by Liz Fisher
Produced by Graham Schmidt (Artistic Director, Breaking String Theater)
MAKSYM KUROCHKIN (Playwright) is recognized as one of the most imaginative playwrights in Moscow today, “the ideal playwright for the global age,” as Moscow Times critic John Freedman defined him. He was introduced to Austin audiences in 2011, when Breaking String premiered a staged reading of his play, Repress and Excite. In 2012, Breaking String spotlit his work during New Russian Drama Festival 2012, which featured the American premiere of Kurochkin’s The Schooling of Bento Bonchev. In response to Bento and the festival staged readings, Austin Chronicle Arts Editor Robert Faires wrote, “These plays' irreverence, imagination, and immediacy were so familiar and engaging that if I hadn't already known they were minted in Moscow, I might have taken them for plays created locally.” Regarding his accomplishments in Russia, Kurochkin is the recipient of the Boldest Experiment of the Year award from the Moskovsky Komsomolets daily for Kitchen, the Moscow New Drama award for the futuristic comedy Titus the Irreproachable, and the Russian Anti-Booker award for experimenting with new avenues in drama. In Afisha magazine, Russian critic Yelena Kovalskaya named Kitchen one of the top 20 plays in Russia in the first decade of the century. The Moscow Times named his Repress and Excite the best play of the 2006-7 Moscow season.
Kurochkin was first introduced to Austin in 2011 at Breaking String Theater Co.’s inaugural New Russian Drama Festival; he would return as the spotlight artist for New Russian Drama Festival 2012, which saw the American premiere of his play, The Schooling of Bento Bonchev. Kurochkin’s plays’ imagination, immediacy, irreverence and humor have made him a sensation in Russia as well as in Texas, and Breaking String is excited to extend its relationship with Max’s work.
JOHN J. HANLON (translator) is an educator, actor, director and translator. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama, John studied Russian at Swarthmore College. He has translated four plays by Maksym Kurochkin. His translation of FIGHTER CLASS "MEDEA" was staged at the Lark Play Development Center in 2004; last year, it was featured in Chicago’s “Soviet Arts Experience” festival. VODKA, FUCKING AND TELEVISION was published in THEATERFORUM and staged by Dad’s Garage in Atlanta in 2007 and again in 2009 as part of the Center for International Theatre Development's New Russian Drama Conference in Baltimore. MOONCRAZED was presented at hotINK 2010 and, later that spring, was featured in a special event dedicated to Kurochkin at CUNY’s Segal Center. THE RIGHT OF THE CAPTAIN OF THE R.M.S. CARPATHIA received its world premiere in March at Breaking String's New Russian Drama festival in Austin. John and Maksym are currently at work on a new play called THE ESCAPE, initiated under the auspices of the Lark in New York. Additionally, John was commissioned by the Lark to create a new translation of Aleksey Scherbak’s play COLONEL PILATE, which was a featured selection at hotINK 2012; it will soon be published in ASYMPTOTE, an international journal dedicated to literary translation. John directs the theater program at a private high school and teaches senior seminars in subjects ranging from Russian History to Shakespeare. As an actor, his favorite roles include Raskolnikov in the Campbell/Columbus adaptation of CRIME AND PUNISHMENT (Northside Theatre, San Jose, CA) and Richard Hannay in THE 39 STEPS (Off Square Theater, Jackson, WY). Recently, he directed a production of Ionesco’s THE LESSON for Riot Act and staged readings of Albee’s THE GOAT and Miller’s THE PRICE for Off Square. Working with ensembles of young actors, he conceived and directed THE TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FACTORY FIRE PROJECT to commemorate the 100th anniversary of that tragic event and LAST DREAM I HAD THE STRANGEST NIGHT, an homage to the Surrealists. John will direct CRIME AND PUNISHMENT for Off Square in May, 2013.
Cast and Crew Biographies
CAMI ALYS (Fucking Understudy) is a singer, dancer, actor, musician and foley artist from Austin, Texas. Recent credits include THE INTERGALACTIC NEMESIS (foley), the Rude Mechanicals’ I’VE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY, and Paper Chairs’ MURDER BALLAD MURDER MYSTERIES. Cami is excited to join with Breaking String Theater in its work on this tremendous play.
NOEL GAULIN (Hero) is an artist and educator from Austin, Texas. This is his second collaboration with Breaking String Theater. In 2009, he played Yepikhodov in Breaking String Theater’s THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Recent acting credits include The Theatre in Paper Chairs’ BOOM FOR REAL and The Maniac in Palindrome’s THE ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST. A Rude Mechanicals company member, Noel performed in and co-designed projections for I’VE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY. Noel is grateful to be a part of Breaking String Theatre and relishes this opportunity to celebrate the work of Maksym Kurochkin.
JUDE HICKEY (Television) is a performer haling from Lincoln, Nebraska. Since moving to Austin, Jude has performed with Salvage Vanguard Theatre (company member), Shrewd Productions, Pro-Arts Collective, Ariel Dance Theatre, Spank Dance Company and Hyde Park Theatre. As Katurian in HPT's THE PILLOWMAN, he received the Austin Critics Table award and a B. Iden Payne nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role, and for LONESOME WEST, he was nominated for a Payne Best Ensemble Performance. He received an Austin Critics Table award for his role in THE ALIENS at HPT. Hickey is a founding and board member of Da! Theatre Collective, with whom he performed in RELATIVE SPACE, DIRECT OBJECT, HERON & CRANE, and LEAVE IT TO BEVERLY as Pandora (Critics' Table nomination and B. Iden Payne WINNER). He directed Kirk German's SPLASH ZONE at Mi Casa Su Teatro and toured HERON AND CRANE to the New York International Fringe Festival. Jude loves spending time with his family, especially his nephew Phoenix and his niece Lola, who are always reminding him how foolish it is to sweat the small stuff. He hopes someday to move his entire family onto a sustainable life commune where they would grow and make everything they need, including hope.
JOEY HOOD (Vodka) This is Joey’s second appearance with Breaking String Theater. In 2011 he played Blizzard in FLYING. He was most recently seen in Capital T Theatre's EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR. Other Cap T credits include A LIE OF THE MIND, KILLER JOE, and BUG (Austin Critics Table Nomination Best Actor in a Leading Role). Other Credits include DIVIDING THE ESTATE (Zach Scott Theatre), THE ALIENS (Austin Critics Table Nomination Best Supporting Actor), THE ATHEIST (Austin Critics Table Best Actor Award), ZOO STORY. THE COLLECTION, BOMBS IN YOUR MOUTH , HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ASSASINATED?, THE WATER PRINCIPLE, THE GLORY OF LIVING (Austin Critics Table Nomination Best Actor) TWIGHLIGHT: LOS ANGELES, 1992(Austin Critics Table Nomination Best Supporting Actor) THE METAMORPHISIS (B Iden Payne Nomination Best Actor) BLUR (B Iden Payne Nomination Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy), Fish (B Iden Payne Nomination) and STADIUM DEVILDARE. Joey is originally from South Mississippi and has been treading Austin stages since 1997. Joey is also Hyde Park Theatre core company member.
ADRIENE MISHLER (Fucking) is an actress, choreographer, director and teacher from Austin, Texas. She has has worked on numerous stages with Salvage Vanguard, The Rude Mechs, Rubber Repertory, Tongue & Groove, Breaking String Theatre, Paper Chairs, Refraction Arts, St Idiot Collective, Ariel Dance Theatre and ZACH Scott Theatre. Adriene is a local company member of Ariel Dance Theatre and SVT where she also serves as the Summer Education Coordinator. Adriene delights in the joy of arts education and is dedicated to using theatre and movement as a way to help young people discover creative self-expression and learn collaboration. She has studied with Anne Bogart, and has trained & worked with members of the SITI Company in Austin, New York, and LA. She teaches movement & performance, works in film, commercial, voice over and is is a certified Yoga instructor. Learn more about her yoga classes at www.yogawithadriene.com.
GLENDA BARNES (Costumes) is so excited and honored to be working with Breaking String! She received her BFA in Costume Design at Texas State University and finds it easier to say she's a homegrown Texan than trying to name a specific town. Some of her favorite designs include It's a Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Play, I Love You Because, John and Jen the Musical, Three Days of Rain,The Last 5 Years (Penfold Productions), Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson( Doctuh Mistah Productions), which she has been nominated for a B. Iden Payne, Urinetown (Summer Stock Austin), Chess, The 39 Steps, Frost/ Nixon, Heros (Austin Playhouse), Precious Little Talent, Spirits to Enforce (Capital T), Messenger No. 4, The Nina Variations (Cambiare Productions), The Importance of Being Earnest, Night of the Iguana (Texas State University), and makeup design for Doctuh Mistah's Evil Dead: The Musical. She is also currently working on Moonlight and Magnolias for Penfold and The Pain and the Itch for Capital T.
LOWELL BARTHOLOMEE (Video and Sound Design, Livestream Broadcast Engineer) has created video designs for theater since 2002. He's had the good fortune to work with companies like the dirigo group, Rude Mechs, State Theatre Company, Refraction Arts, and Shrewds Austin. His designs for THE ROAD TO WIGAN PIER, OF SUPERHEROES AND SEDUCTIONS, THE MERCY SEAT, and THE METHOD GUN WORKSHOP earned nominations from the Austin Critics Table.
Ia Ensterä (Scenic) has been working as a set and costume designer for nearly two decades, and has 80-odd theatre and film credits to her name. She has served as the Resident Production Designer for Pollyanna Theatre Company for the past ten years, and works continuously with such Austin powerhouse production companies as Breaking String Theatre (FLYING, UNCLE VANYA, GHOSTS, BENTO BONCHEV) and Austin Shakespeare (ARCADIA, TWELFTH NIGHT). Some of her favorite projects have been with Paper Moon Repertory (THE 21 WOULD-BE LIVES OF PHINEAS HAMM), Imagine That! Productions (DOWN THE DRAIN), Hyde Park Theatre (THE ALIENS), and THE MATERIALITY OF IMPERMANENCE (a dance performance by Sharon Marroquin). Ia has worked alongside notable directors such as Robert Faires, Ann Ciccolella, Judy Matetzschk-Campbell, Beth Burns, Ken Webster, and Graham Schmidt. She has been nominated for numerous design awards by the B.Iden Payne Committee, and received five of them. The Austin Chronicle her one of the “Top Theatrical Wonders Of 2011” and her set for UNCLE VANYA as one of the “Top 10 Delights of The Latter Half of 2011.” She received the most recent Austin Critics’ Table Award for scenic design, and was crowned ""Best Valkyrie Of The Set" by the Austin Chronicle (insert audible chuckle here). Ia lives in Austin with her spouse Stacy, son Elias, and five furry daughters.
LIZ FISHER (Director) joined Breaking String Theater in 2007, as Masha in Anton Chekhov's THE SEAGULL. She proceeded to perform in THE CHERRY ORCHARD (Varya, 2009 Austin Critics' Table Nominee, Best Actress), and UNCLE VANYA (Yelena Andreyevna), then co-produced Breaking String's 2011 New Russian Drama Festival, and presented staged readings at both the 2011 and 2012 NRDFests. You may have seen her recently in THE PAIN AND THE ITCH (Kelly, Capital T Theatre), DRAGON PLAY (Shrewd Productions), or A LIE OF THE MIND (Sally, Capital T Theatre), or less recently – she has been treading the boards of Austin professional stages for upwards of 10 years. Fisher is a Hyde Park Theatre Core Company Member, and will appear in The Hidden Room's INVISIBLE INC. in January at the Long Center.
ROBERT MATNEY is the Technology Director for Breaking String Theater, as well as The Hidden Room Theatre, Board Trustee for Austin Shakespeare. He is an actor, director, and a commercial web technology consultant. Previously for Breaking String, Robert played Medvedenko in "The Seagull" and Pishchik in "The Cherry Orchard." Most recently, Robert played Wilheim Grimm in "A Most Unsettling and Possibly Haunted Evening in the Parlour of the Brothers Grimm" for Hidden Room and Trouble Puppet. You can battle Robert’s voice in the shape of DC Universe Online’s video game villain Doctor Psycho. With Hidden Room, Robert developed the technology behind You Wouldn’t Know Her. Robert was a panelist at the 2011 South By Southwest Interactive conference and the 2011 Fusebox Festival, and will appear in The Hidden Room’s INVISIBLE INC. in January at the Long Center.
ANDREW PERRY (Stage Manager) holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre Management from Texas State University. Vodka, Fucking, & Television will be his fourth production to stage manage for Breaking String after The Seagull, The Cherry Orchard, and Uncle Vanya. Andrew stage manages for several companies and productions a year, but primarily for the Pollyanna Theatre Company, which produces full stage productions for young audiences. As well as managing shows for youth, Andrew also is a playwright of several pieces and will be debuting a new original work entitled Playground Superhero in October of 2012 and an adapted story called The Beebee Who Cried Ploot: A Story from the Family of Ree in January of 2013.
STEVEN SHIREY (Lights) has been designing lights in Austin since 2007. Vodka, Fucking and Television is his fifth lighting design for Breaking String. Previous designs include The Schooling of Bento Bonchev, Ghosts, Uncle Vanya and Flying. Other Austin designs include Jubilee, A Thought in 3 Parts, True West, SKYPE performance piece You Are Inivited, Alice!, Faster Than the Speed of Light, No One in the Woods Tonight among others. Before moving to Austin Steven was the Technical Director for the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre from 2001 - 2007 where he worked with scenic designer Tomy Matthys. Steven has an MFA in Lighting Design from the University of South Carolina. Also a musician Steve performs in the bands Psyfolkology and Sweet Chariot.
