Here I speak to Michael Shaw Fisher about his new play The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits, which just opened at the SoHo Playhouse, part of its International Fringe Encore Series.
As it seems to be with many creative folks I interview, it seems you are a person who wears many hats. But with all you do, what do you consider yourself first and foremost?
I’m a writer, first thing. I’ve always loved acting, and sometimes, surely, when I write something, I am haunted to see it performed a certain way, the way I hear it in my head. But there is also something fulfilling in giving it to somebody else to play
But I do feel, with playwriting, there is surely some heavy lifting that I love.
But I do feel, with playwriting, there is surely some heavy lifting that I love.
And something you are compelled to do, right?
Yes, of course. And the older you are, the more you feel time ticking to do the things you want, the desperation of being older as opposed to the desperation of a younger writer, which is totally different. The limits of mortality, seeing the people around you die, success and failure hitting at the same time, this informs a more mature writer, I feel.
Without giving too much away about The Amazing Sex Life Of Rabbits, can you tell us a little bit about what it’s about?
It’s a dinner party piece turned on its head, a street war with two couples, where weapons are words. One of the big questions being: Is dinner with your ex ever a good idea?
Like us all, I am sure you surfed the playwriting business good and bad during the pandemic. Can you tell us how that hit you out in LA, where you live?
Well, LA theatre was getting the shit kicked out of it even before the pandemic hit, so we got into a rather hopeless situation during it. But luckily, my wife and I had had a good run before, with her company and some of my other plays. But when everything shut down, things got pretty bleak.
I actually wrote this play during the pandemic; it came from a place of necessity.
Where we have come to now, after the lockdown, with AI increasing and the consistent further artificial mechanization of the world, theatre is now even more essential, I feel. I see it as the last bastion of original art that exists for our demented species. So, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring run this play here.
Where we have come to now, after the lockdown, with AI increasing and the consistent further artificial mechanization of the world, theatre is now even more essential, I feel. I see it as the last bastion of original art that exists for our demented species. So, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring run this play here.
But bringing a production to New York has to be a big move, right?
Yes, mounting a show is expensive everywhere, but more here. I originally come from DC and all my first real theatre experiences were on Broadway, so for me, New York is the primary place for theater. Surely, I am blessed having the community of theatre I have in LA, but in New York, it’s a hard-knocked culture for theatre, but an essential one; LA is not primarily a theater town.
So, how did you get the play here?
It was incredibly lucky. We ran the show a few times in LA as part of the Fringe Festival and the artistic director for the Soho Playhouse, a vagabond spirit fueled by the love of art, picks out shows he feels best of the fridge festival and in his view have to be here. He saw the show, and working with my wife and a few others, we figured let’s do it. Which of course, I hope leads to an even bigger run.
The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits runs until March 28.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased HERE
Picture credit Molly Murphy Weinberg
