We all ride elevators. Some of us multiple times a day. And every time we get inside, trapped in the corner, or squished next to the huge-summer-sweaty-guy, our bubble space invaded, while listening to the Muzak drone on we think, even if it is just a flash through our minds we think, “Is this the time I’m going to get stuck?” And we scan the elevator to see who our fellow ragtag inmates will be. And we wonder if we might escape through the trapdoor in the ceiling. And we wonder if we have anything to eat because we missed breakfast. And we pray to God that we won’t have to pee. Or worse. And what about the overly pregnant woman by the buttons? Is she going to blow? Going Up?! is a musical comedy that plays on our collective thoughts and fears; a musical that takes place entirely within a seven by seven space
What is your hometown? I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. My parents grew up in Worcester, MA and moved to Canada before I was born. I moved to the United States a year and half ago and I’ve been living in Brooklyn since.
What was the last show that you worked on and where? I directed Death of the Dollar in last year’s New York New Works Festival. The show made it all the way to the finals. It was a great show with a talented cast and terrific music.
Why submit to a Festival like this? I’m thrilled that Going Up will be premiering at the Festival this year. The Festival is a fantastic opportunity for new works to be seen by prominent producers. I had an amazing experience last year. Gene Fisch and the entire Festival crew were welcoming and supportive. I also got to see many of the shows which were all entertaining. Some of them were quite inspiring and I appreciated the hard work and talent that went into their productions.
PERFORMANCE: August 25th at 7:00 PM
LOCATION: The Times Square Arts Center, 300 W 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036.
TICKETS: Click HERE to purchase tickets.
The NYNW Theatre Festival is located in the world’s premier theater district at The Elektra Theatre in the Times Square Arts Center, and is a short play competition where the audience casts their votes to select the best play of the season.
Playwrights from all over the country will present their shows and have the chance to move from the First Round to the Semi-Finals, and then the Finals, where a winner will be selected.
The First Round of the NYNW Festival shows will be presented August 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th. The Semi-Final rounds will be August 31st and September 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. The Finals will be held September 16th.
Malini Singh mcdonald 