New Comedy Unravels
The Symbiotic Relationship
Between Writer and Performer

Essayons Theatre Company will present "I Go Solo," a new comedy providing an insider’s view into the perils of creative collaboration. "I Go Solo" will run Thursdays through Sundays from September 26 - October 11 at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street.

Written and directed by Art Hennessey, "I Go Solo" is about an introverted, aspiring writer who hires a cocky, handsome actor to realize his life on stage in a solo performance piece. However, the actor has other ideas as he hijacks each performance with his razor wit and powerful charisma. The small off-off-Broadway theatre becomes an all out battleground of artistic temperaments.

The cast features Rob DiNinni and Nate Connors. Adam Roberts (Composer and Musical Director of Boston Theatre Works ’acclaimed hit "Molly's Dream" and composer for "Learn From the Self-Made Man") is composing original music for this play.

“I have spent a great deal of my late twenties and now early thirties in tiny theatres in Boston and at Fringe Festivals. Through my limited experience I have found that the terrors, joys, discoveries, failures, triumphs and laughs of producing works for the theatre are only equaled by the process of writing and creating those works,” says Hennessey.

Hennessey continued, “When writing a play, I find that the character can often go off on their own, in directions you never thought of, and while this is very exciting, it is also frustrating because they sometimes can end up changing the play entirely. As a writer/producer, the most interesting thing is to watch an actor bring your character to life, and the second most interesting thing is to watch your reaction to it. There is an instant desire to grab hold of the actor, wrestle them to the ground and try to mold them into the character that was in your head. I think you learn, however, that it is best to sit on your hands and suppress the desire. Often you will be pleasantly surprised by what the actor brings to the role."

Hennessey is the Artistic Director of Essayons Theatre Company, based in Davis Square. He has acted in Seattle, Boston and New York City, and was most recently seen this past summer in his play, "Learn from the Self-Made Man" at the Boston Center for the Arts. His play "Trumpeter" was recently selected as a finalist for the Actor's Theatre of Louisville National Ten Minute Play Competition. (This marks his third time receiving that honor.)

Essayons Theatre Company
Essayons is a collaborative of theatre artists that seeks to develop theatrical works combining talents from different artistic disciplines. The company has performed across the nation, and its members have gained recognition as actors, writers and directors. Past Essayons productions include: "Hell on Earth" (1999 - winner of the Cupie Doll Award at the Seattle International Fringe Festival), "Live Hostage Crisis" (2000), "Radio Check" 2330(2000), "A Random Bit of Nonsense About Yul Brynner and Other Short Plays" (2002), "Learn From the Self-Made Man" and "Steamship Authority" (2003).

For tickets, visit the box office at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street in Boston, or call 617-426-2787.

-- OnStage Boston

9/15/03