“When in doubt, remember Anton Chekhov’s words: ‘Any idiot can survive a crisis; it is the day to day that wears on people.'”
Responder: Allison Dayne, Writer of Unrequited
Name of Company: Allison Dayne & Dylan Ruggiero
Name of Show: Unrequited: A Chekhovian Collision
1. Why should anybody see your show?
I hope that people who have never experienced Chekhov will take away from the show that Chekhov is very relatable. Chekhov is messy and not precious. The show is a human experience and humans are messed up beings. Nothing is ever going to be perfect and that’s okay… You must be braced and accept that you are a walking Jackson Pollock painting.
2. Why Atlanta?
Atlanta is booming with vibrant artists wanting to expand their views. This is a show for brave audience members who are curious, and – dare we say – zealous. Atlanta has a true underbelly of writers, filmmakers, producers, artists and more who are willing to go out of their comfort zone. We hope to tap into that audience. We hope to demonstrate the creative spirit that is here in Atlanta right now.
3. What inspired you to create this?
Anton Chekhov’s plays are incredibly personal and poignant. The opposite of mundane, his characters live passionately, but without a means of emotional expression. Their love and hate boils just beneath the surface – just as civilized society demands. I wrote this play during a long period of true heartbreak, when my passion for theater was the only outlet allowed to me.
I wrote this play to remind every audience member that they are never truly alone. When in doubt, remember Anton Chekhov’s words: “Any idiot can survive a crisis; it is the day to day that wears on people.”
Unrequited: A Chekhovian Collision
4. What’s your process for creating and rehearsing something like this?
It is a living and breathing document. It takes hard rehearsals, many read throughs and several drafts to create a show worth sharing.
5. What have you learned from working on your show so far?
That love conquers. Even when the love you want leaves you.
That we as human beings are full of crazy passion and we don’t know where to put it. Into our art? Into another person? It’s never perfect.
6. Tyler Perry, Jane Fonda, Killer Mike and Donald Glover roll up at your show. There is one ticket left. Who gets it?
Wowza. I respect Tyler Perry for coming out and discussing his experience with being molested as a child. Jane Fonda is a true feminist warrior. Killer Mike is an incredible activist. Donald Glover help write 30 Rock and create his own show! Is it fair to say… all of them?
But I would have to go with… Tyler Perry… I think he would appreciate someone writing a play and producing it themselves.
7. Atlanta’s foodie scene is really on point these days. What does your show taste like? (Bonus points if you can name-check an ATL restaurant.)
After much deliberation (Superica, The Optimist, Marcel’s, Atlas, South City Kitchen, Joy Café, The Nook all discussed… we went with)
Zunzi’s.
Zunzi’s is messy… a “Shit yeah!” attitude… spicy, in your face… and unashamedly itself. It has nothing to hide. It knows what it is and is proud of it. It has come from a long line of tradition… then flipped it on its head. Zunzi’s is unique, unlike anything else around and is okay not fitting in. Plus, Zunzi’s sandwiches have huge personality – but we know it’s really all about the sauces. The amazingly spicy Hot As Shit sauce is a personal favorite. There’s some metaphor to be made here about the sandwiches being characters and the sauce being the subtext – and Chekhov is all about subtext. But more importantly, their sandwiches are messy, just like love.
[Above: Co-star/producer Dylan Ruggiero, looking swank]
8. Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: would you want your parents in the front row or would you tell them, “Maybe skip this one, guys…”?
I would be just fine with my parents in the front row. Would they “get” any of it? Probably not!
9. Will your show save mankind?
Mankind? No. Lonely souls? Yes.
10. Oh boy! After your first show a genie pops out of a bottle and offers you a choice – world peace or your show enjoying a ten-year run on Broadway. What shall it be?
I suppose world peace… Get the Nobel Peace Prize… Write a one woman show on the experience… Have the show run on Broadway… Do a Netflix comedy special… Then create my own podcast or talk show for people who are changing the world. *Hair toss*
11. Describe your show in three words.
Untold
Pastiche
Pyrrhic
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