TIC presents its 41st production with Recent Tragic Events,  May 8-11 and 15-18 @ 8 pm at The Bridge Theater @ Shetler Studios. Tickets: $20 here: www.tictheater.com
 
Favorite line from Recent Tragic Events?
My favorite line from the play is Ron’s line “I don’t want to waylay you on your way to weewee.” it makes me laugh even when I read it to myself.
 
Favorite pizza topping?
My favorite thing to have on pizza is chicken, pineapple, and banana peppers! For all those with hesitations about pineapple pizza, you are missing out!
 
Favorite (cheap) wine?
Tisdale! It’s $5.99 from my local liquor store--Cabernet Sauvignon!

TIC presents its 41st production with Recent Tragic Events,  May 8-11 and 15-18 @ 8 pm at The Bridge Theater @ Shetler Studios. Tickets: $20 here: www.tictheater.com
 
TIC is delighted to welcome back to its stage the beautiful and intelligent Jaya Tripathi (last seen in TIC's Relentless Pleasant in October 2018 (see image, left).

What is your role in this production?
I play Waverly Wilson, who attemps to keep things copacetic while waiting to hear from her sister and juggling the strangest of dates.
 
What do you like on your pizza?
Tons of jalapenos! And garlic. 
 
Favorite line from the play?
"You wanna come in? We're just sitting here, coming apart at the seams." also,
"Is that freedom? When you don't know how it's gonna turn out, but you still can't help but... do it? Is that really freedom?"
 
Have you ever read a single book by Joyce Carol Oates, Proust, or Trollope? 
I read We are the Mulvaneys, and it broke my heart. Like Waverly, I have started Proust several times and failed to stay the course (planning to try again this summer - it's time!) And I just picked up The Way We Live Now to honor Waverly's fondness for Trollope.

Jessica is our stage manager for TIC's 41st production, Recent Tragic Events,  May 8-11 and 15-18 @ 8 pm at The Bridge Theater @ Shetler Studios. Tickets: $20 here: www.tictheater.com
 
We asked the talented thespian and SM a few quick questions...

What is your role in this production?
I am the Stage Manager! The real one! [Artistic Director's note: this is confusing, but the production has both Jessica -- calling the show -- and actor Loralee Tyson -- playing the SM. It's a twinning phenomenon.]
 
Favorite book?
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. It’s told from the perspective of a dog.
 
Best cheap wine?
Sutter Home, White Zinfandel, $7
 
TIC presents its 41st production with Recent Tragic Events,  May 8-11 and 15-18 @ 8 pm at The Bridge Theater @ Shetler Studios. Tickets: $20 here: www.tictheater.com

TIC asked, Lori Funk answered: a few quick questions about her work on our newest play, RELENTLESSLY PLEASANT.

Funk plays a series of fun, funny, and fearless women in the workplace comedy.

We open in 10 days and run Oct. 10-27, 2018 at Theatre 54 @ Shetler Studios. Get your tickets here: www.tictheater.com.

Fill in the blank: I am relentlessly _______________.
Neurotic. And Tired.

What has been your favorite part of being involved with Relentlessly Pleasant?
Jake Lipman: the woman, the myth, the legend. She is relentlessly organized, and I cannot even begin to describe how much my neurotic self appreciates that. It isn't lost on me how hard she works and how much she devotes to her passion. Not only that, she is the ultimate prop master!

In the play, the conference rooms are named after great women and cite a quotation from them. Give us one of your favorite quotes!
"Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me." -- Carol Burnett

Tongue in Cheek Theater Productions (Jake Lipman, producing artistic director), will hold auditions by appointment August 13 and 14 for the new play Relentlessly Pleasant written and directed by Jake Lipman.

Casting notes on Actors Access.

Casting 8 women, 1 man for the world premiere production of an ensemble comedy set in an all-female co-working space.

Interested actors should submit through Actors Access and indicate preferred date/time range for appointments on either Monday, August 13 or Tuesday, August 14 from 5:45-9 PM.

Due to the high volume of submissions, we respectfully ask that interested actors submit through Actors Access only; do not reach out via email to request a time slot.

Important dates (seeking actors with excellent availability):
Auditions: August 13 and Tuesday, August 14 from 5:45-9 PM in midtown NYC
Rehearsals: September 6-October 7 on weeknights and Sunday afternoons
Tech and final dress: October 8-9
Fourteen-show run: October 10-27, 2018 at Theatre 54 @ Shetler Studios in midtown NYC.

Producing Artistic Director of Tongue in Cheek Theater Productions, Jake Lipman, along with her husband and longtime collaborator Philip Rothman, were thrilled to be guest artists at the University of Nebraska Lincoln on January 18, 2018.

The couple was interviewed by director of the Glenn Korff School of Music, Sergio Ruiz, at the combined undergraduate Convocation and graduate Colloquia, where they discussed their creative work together, most notably their 2015 adaptation of the novel THE INN AT LAKE DEVINE by Elinor Lipman, which Jake Lipman adapted, and for which Philip Rothman made original compositions and arrangements of choral work to enrich the piece.

Susan Gross is an actor and writer whose solo show RUBY premieres tonight, Sunday 10/22 @ 8 PM and will be performed on Monday 10/23 @ 8 PM as part of Tongue in Cheek's Plus 1 Festival. Tickets are $18 at www.tictheater.com and call 1-800-838-3006 (note that each night of the festival features 2 shows for the price of 1 ticket). We asked Susan to tell us more about her piece and process.

What's RUBY about?
It's a very bare-it-all piece, part comedy and part drama, about a woman's struggles with anxiety, body issues, and coming to terms with whether or not she wants to have a baby.

What inspired you to write it?
It's a very personal story that I needed to tell for myself, and hopefully, others will relate to it. I have always performed in the theater. I recently took a stand up class, and liked the idea of being on stage by myself, storytelling, but without the anxiety of constantly hoping a joke would land.

Funny story about your piece?
I filmed a teaser trailer for RUBY with my husband, sort of guerrilla-style. I wanted to convey the loneliness I feel when I want a child and it seems like everyone around you has one. So we walked down to the park in our neighborhood and I saw a stroller next to the water. I told my husband to film me next to it.  A few moments later, someone came over and snatched it away. I had to laugh. It was the perfect metaphor for what I'm going through, so we kept that moment in the trailer.

How did you come to collaborate with TIC?
I had auditioned for TIC before and then ran into producing artistic director Jake while standing in line for a casting. We hit it off and wanted to collaborate. I feel very lucky to be supported by this company and have Jake direct RUBY as well.

MAURITIUS opens tonight!  We asked the wonderful actor Michael Vincent Carrera, who plays 'Sterling' a few questions, below -- and please come out to see this great piece about 2 stamps, 2 sisters, and a pile of cash.

Tickets are $18 at www.tictheater.com and 1-800-838-3006 for 7 performances, Wed-Fri 10/18-20 and Wed-Sat 10/25-28 @ 8 PM, The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor, NYC. Note that the lobby of the building is under construction.

What drew you to the role of 'Sterling'?
I knew I would relish stepping into Sterling's shoes, form the first time I read this play, about 10 years ago. When you get to play someone who is so dominant, so alpha male and assertive in presence, it is a fun change from the polite and acceptable lives most of us lead on a daily basis. With this role, I get to exercise, or exorcise, essences within myself that I normally would put on hold.

Tell us about working with TIC for the first time!
The company, and producing artistic director Jake Lipman, make the actors feel appreciated and part of the creative process. And Jake is so organized and right on with every detail of the company's functioning.

How is MAURITIUS relevant to audiences now?
Although it may not be evident at first glance, this play is so relevant to current events and politics in our country now. At its core this play deals with a group of duplicitous con men and women hiding the truth with "alternative facts," machismo threats, narcissism, and bluster... sound familiar?

TIC's 35th production, MAURITIUS by Theresa Rebeck, opens tomorrow - Wed 10/18 @ 8 PM, and we recently asked our super talented cast member, Derek Long, a few quick questions!

Read on, and get your $18 tickets to MAURITIUS @ www.tictheater.com or call 1-800-838-3006. 7 performances, Wed-Fri 10/18-20 and Wed-Sat 10/25-28 @ 8 PM @ The Bridge Theatre @ Shetler Studios, 244 West 54th Street, 12th Floor, NYC.

Tell us about your character, Dennis, and what draws you to him.
Dennis is a scrappy, smooth operator. He's not decorated with degrees, but charming, confident, positive and a survivor. All are qualities I admire, respect, and aspire to. We share some characteristics. Will let those who know me be the judge of which ones.

How has it been working with TIC Theater for the first time?
It has been a pleasure from the start. The bar of professionalism, care, and passion were set very high right off the bat and I would be delighted to call this the first of future collaborations.

What excites you about this play and what do you think is its draw for audiences?
Theresa Rebeck's work has been in my periphery for a long time, since I started to seriously cultivate and hone my acting craft and career. Happy to add such a play to my resume. And I have huge respect for the names of people credited with the original productions; I am proud to add my name to those associated with Rebeck productions.