“The real victory — the daily victory! — is the opportunity to show up to rehearsal every day, and to feel my show, and myself, grow, evolve, and become something I never thought possible.”
WHO: Ben Kassoy
WHAT: “Author and dancer Ben Kassoy brings poems from his spectacularly original book to life in The Funny Thing About A Panic Attack, a genre-defying solo show celebrated as ‘inspired, powerful and thoroughly entertaining’ (LA Hidden Gems) and ‘intimate, affecting and revelatory’ (StageAndCinema.com) at sold-out shows in New York and LA. Directed by award winner Joanna Simmons (Mark Pleases You, Best Man Show), The Funny Thing About A Panic Attack is bursting with humour, heart and wonder, using spoken word, dance and physical theatre to reveal the connections between panic, poetry… and pancakes.”
WHERE: ZOO Playground – Playground 3 (Venue 186)
WHEN: 17:10 (45 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Yes! First time to Fringe, first time to Scotland (I’m from the US), first time writing & performing a solo show! My friends have instilled enough FOMO over the last few years that I just HAD to be here this year. Yup, I decided I wanted to do EdFringe loooong before I even had a show. Kinda backward, sure, but hey — here we are! The journey has been amazing thus far: stellar reviews, sold-out shows in New York and LA, folks coming to see it from all over the US — I am truly ~thrilled~ to share my work in Edinburgh.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
When it comes to art (and, honestly, maybe even anything?) the joy is in the work. Regardless of outcome, the process is the gift that keeps on giving. The labor of love in making this show has been gratifying and challenging in equal measure, and the “success” of the show can’t be measured in ticket sales or reviews or awards. The real victory — the daily victory! — is the opportunity to show up to rehearsal every day, and to feel my show, and myself, grow, evolve, and become something I never thought possible.
Tell us about your show.
Based on the poetry collection I published last year, The Funny Thing About A Panic Attack is a solo show that uses spoken word, dance, and physical theatre to reveal the connections between panic, poetry…and pancakes. (By the way, silly question: are pancakes a thing in Scotland? For the uninitiated, pancakes are hot round pieces of bread that we Americans drench in syrup and feed to children for breakfast.)
ANYWAY, I wrote the poems in the collection about living with — and overcoming! — panic attacks, and I’ve adapted them from the page to the stage (#POETRY) into a genre-defying show that’s been celebrated as “inspired…powerful and thoroughly entertaining” (LA Hidden Gems) and “intimate, affecting…revelatory” (StageAndCinema.com). We have an incredible team, including director Joanna Simmons, musician Matt Lipkins, and choreographer Julio Medina.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
Y’ALL. I’m totally biased, but the comedy scene in Los Angeles is truly BLOWING UP, thanks to some of the funniest, most brilliant performers in the world. And….so many of them are bringing their shows halfway around the world (a 10-hour flight!) to Edinburgh. LUCKY YOU. Do yourself a favor and check out as many of these shows as possible!
-“2lian Stern Keeps 2trying”: Come for the jokes, stay for the music — smart and hysterical, you’ll want to see this show over and over to pick up on every brilliant lyric and jam out to your new favorite earworms. Julian Stern is a singular talent.
-“The Dolphin I Loved”: This show is peak clown: slightly unhinged, totally brilliant, and belly-achingly funny. Kelly Reilly is an absolute star!
-“My Mother Doesn’t Know I’m Kinky”: Spicy, funny, and timely — this is for anyone who’s had sex or a mother. Jean will delight and move you in equal measure!
-“The Best Man Show”: Perfectly calibrated chaos, there’s a reason this won Best Comedy 2024 at Hollywood Fringe in LA!
-“My Little Phobia”: One review said, “Imagine if Lucille Ball did a bunch of acid, had a psychiatric break, and lived at Grey Gardens.” I couldn’t have said it any better.
-“Medicine Woman”: You’ll be spellbound and wildly entertained; see why Medicine woman has already won 3 international awards!
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