Drama Queens, a five-star arts journal focusing on female artists

Interview by Liz Cope

Thrilled that this is not a zoom-play, “So excited to be back in a room making theatre with some fun people!, said Julianna Mitchell, readying herself to back to what she loves best – experimenting ON STAGE: “I am an actor and mover interested in exploring experimental theatre and what it can do.”

Erin Shea Brady’s clever comedy exploring the life of a queer, polyamorous writer in Chicago peppered with a whiff of Nora Ephron will premiere as part of the Fresh Fruit “Return to Live Theatre” Festival.

“You’re a Weirdo, Annie Best” by Erin Shea Brady is produced by Juliet Roll in association with the Fresh Fruit Festival (Covid Compliance overseen by Leah Ableson) and will run Friday 5/6 at 6:30 pm; Sunday 5/8 at 5:30 pm; Monday 5/9 at 8:15 pm.  

Annie Best is a writer living in Chicago. She is queer, polyamorous, recently estranged from her family and at a creative standstill. When one of Annie’s partners convinces her to dive into the world of Nora Ephron’s great romantic comedies, Annie begins to see her life through the Ephron lens. Annie imagines scenes and conversations, paying homage to When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and Julie & Julia, among others, as she sits with the beauty and discomfort of the life she has chosen. Along the way, as seasons pass, romantic relationships develop and change with faith and family coming into question. At the end of the play, Annie reconnects with her father, finally finding the courage to stand on her own.

 

I spoke with her briefly on this new chapter of her theatre life – and the life of the theatre!

What is your creative process?

I love devising with collaborators! I also ingest a lot of art in any way I can which usually inspires me a lot.

Do you find a sense of added responsibility when dealing with plays that tackle serious, mature, or timely subject matter?

For me, there is always a sense of responsibility when being a vessel for other people’s words. I feel there is an added need for conversation depending on the topic, but overall I always feel responsible. 

What’s so good about off-off Broadway/indie theater?

Good is relative!

What do you feel is different now than before pandemic? Another thought: what should be different now than before pandemic?

I wish I felt as free as I did before the pandemic. Things are slowly changing again, but before 2020 I was so used to freedom within my discipline and routine, and now I feel as though I have a harder time finding that in my art. 

What’s next for you?

I am the co-founder of the barn at lee, a non profit that creates programs for emerging artists, and there’s so much exciting stuff coming soon … 🙂