Isaac and the Awkward Situations

Up up up circus

Up up up!

With the political chaos of the past several months I’ve been including plot elements inspired by current events. you can click on the flyers to take you to the link to listen. Feel free to download to your own personal devices.

I really think my best play so far is the season 2 opener titled “Metagensis.” Its also the closest to Star Trek fan fiction so far. I think you’ll recognize the characters though I gendered swapped them. The actors did a bang up job here.

This episode seems so relevent to our current political climate, with protestors being killed and our idiot government using anti fascist music and art without permission to promote their hateful agenda . This episode is inspired by all the fun “band movies” and “behind the music” documentaries. I listened to a lot for research. MANY bands contributed to the soundtrack on this play and they sound great.

One thing that inspired me was hearing that CHAT gpt was being used to forge art authentification documents. There are artists out there who use AI image generators and try to hide it by fabricating “process pieces.” Art really is used to launder money and tariffs really are disruptive to small businesses. Have you tried buying guitar pedals from Germany or Japan recently? This episode is partially inspired by the films “Velvet Buzzsaw” and “Art School Confidential.” Both are just OK, and pretty problematic, but a fun enough time. I wish there was more movies like them. Also they both have John Malkovich. (He was also in “Opus.” weird. that guy gets all the roles like that.) Well, there is no “John Malkovich” type in this play! Angela is hilarious with these silly lines and Mike Porter gives a great version of a tough grizzled crime guy, like Jonathan Banks’ Mike Ehrmentrout.

what do you think of this flyer? I hired a guy on Fiverr to make them. his name is Sajidjarral and he is based in Pakistan. If you like his work, you can hire him too, his handle is @designer6800

Naomi Fitter (@naughtybutnerdy) invited me to do two shows. They were STEM Cabaret shows, so it was a perfect fit for my nerdy pun comedy about dinosaurs, chemistry, quantum physics and anthropology.

on the show at OMSI in portland I presented my history of science fiction authors to the crowd before doing my nerdy jokes.

I had a great time and it was so fun to see sets from Sarah Hagan, Chet Udell and Naomi of course. My drawings ahve never been projected so BIG before!

Here I am presenting my slideshow/zine about the history of Science Fiction. Here is a photo of Chet UDell performing with his lightblade synthesizer.

Sarah Hagan! check out her tour schedule at https://sarahhagencomedyiguess.weebly.com/ and follow her at @dorksidecomedy She is hilarious and so self referential.

both shows are in Eugene. On Feb 24 I’m playing with my band, on Feb 2 i’m hosting some silly clowns and comedians. this is a fundraiser for MECCA. the materials exchange center for community arts (or crafting and arts)

In this second season i’m making more of an effort to have the plays reference each other in small, subtle ways. I feel “metagenesis” is my best play so far and the one i would most like to see acted out on a stage.

https://futuremacabre.bandcamp.com/track/season-2-episode-1-metagenesis

https://futuremacabre.bandcamp.com/track/season-2-episode-2-the-sound-of-resistance

This play has SO many voices, it was really fun to make it and put it together. I am excited that I got permission from some awesome artists to put their music in the background of my play.

I hope you enjoy. I’m working on a ZINE that will explain the plots of these stories and have art.

I haven’t performed in Portland in a hot minute! ITs always fun to share the stage with Svetlana Trantastic, who incorporates puppets into her political performance art. I’m excited to see the performances from these burlesque artists and musicians! I heard the venue is really nice.

Then, a few days later, I’m hosting my own show. I’m renting a theater to have it in. Many of the actors who have read before are unavailable this year so we will have new readers and new stories. mixing it up.

A variety of readers will perform the works of Edward Gorey with cello accompaniment. A plethora of dancers will perform, burlesque, drag, juggling and a few unusual surprises are planned. Local spooky vendors will haunt the lobby as well. Mention Edward gGorey and you’ll either hear “oh, i LOVE him” or “who? Its the 100th anniversary of his birth so many people are planning events to celebrate him. I heard of a touring show in Florida in October, and the Edward Gorey house in Cape Cod is having an event in February.

Cast

Nisha Caulkins, cello
Ralph Stricker Chapman, cello
Isaac Paris, host and producer
Marina Brisby, co-producer
Tamathy Howald, reader
Dandy Pie, reader
Bettreena Jaeger, performer
Luke N Good, performer
Clyde Maxx, performer
Marilyn Kent, vendor

Craig has released a new song, it’s only available on Spotify now. If you have Spotify, you can listen to it here. I think it will eventually be on bandcamp too.

I didn’t play on this song, but Ryan did. There is a plan to release new music that I will play on! stay tuned.

i made videos of my slideshows on the history of clowns and of computers. I have shared these with students but other people might be interested too.

When people say “why should we fund the arts?” or “What did the arts ever do for communication technology?”