Performance Photos by Steve Rogers: SELFIE, the musical, Vortex Repertory

(photos by Steve Rogers Photography)

 

This whimsical and profound new musical by Rembert Block, directed by Bonnie Cullum, grapples with identity, image, and narcissism. Featuring live music by the Brooklyn-based band, Rembert and the Basic Goodness as the Influencers. Featuring Ugly Selfie Girl, Dude Face, Chasing Sunsets. 

The VORTEX in association with Ethos presents

the world premiere of

Selfie! The Musical

by Rembert Block

Directed by Bonnie Cullum

 

The 21st-century Selfie phenomenon has rapidly evolved from 2013 word of the year to a social media foundation to ubiquitous activity to strange tragedy. The VORTEX presents the Ethos-commissioned World Premiere of Selfie! The Musical-- a new musical by Rembert Block, directed by Bonnie Cullum, debuting at The VORTEX on April 1 for a 3-week run.

 

A rash of selfie-cides arouse the attention of the ultimate Influencers--the Gods. “What are those silly humans doing to themselves now”?! Fascinated, the Influencers set up a purgatory lab where they set out to investigate several humans who have accidentally killed themselves while taking selfies: Ugly Selfie Girl, Dude Face, and Mr. and Mrs. Chasing Sunsets. Why do some people risk death to snap themselves at a cliff’s edge, on train tracks, or while driving? And what does this dopamine-driven, attention-seeking addiction say about social media and wider society? As this whimsical and profound new musical unfolds, they grapple with the cultural and psychological currents underlying this new epidemic: identity, image, and narcissism. Will they cling to their manufactured identities or seek authentic human connections? But wait . . . can we post to Insta from the Underworld?

 

Feature published in Woman about Town, February 23, 2022

 

Selfie! The Musical features live music by the Brooklyn-based band, Rembert and the Basic Goodness as the Influencers–Rembert Block (Vocals and Accordion), Russell Alderson (Vocals and Bass), Jeff Hudgins (Sax), and Jagoda (Drums). Also starring Austin performers Allegra Jade Fox as Ugly Selfie Girl, Keyshaan Castle as Dude Face, and Eryn Gettys and Trey Deason as Chasing Sunsets.

 

Written by Rembert Block. Directed by Bonnie Cullum. Choreography by Sandie Donzica. Scenic Design by Ann Marie Gordon. Lighting Design by Patrick Anthony. Costume Design by Pam Friday. Sound Design by Johann Solo. Projection Design by Jose Lozano. Photography by Errich Petersen. Stage Manager, Tamara L. Farley. Assistant Director, Blaise Ricin. Assistant Stage Manager, Jelena Stojilkovic Rhynes. Assistant Designers: Demetri Bellini, Adam Gunderson, Dow Zabolio.Production Manager, Katie Hamilton. Ethos Artistic Director, Chad Salvata. Managing Director and Graphic Design, Melissa Vogt. Director of Finance, Krystle Cline. Producing Artistic Director Bonnie Cullum.

 

Selfie! The Musical is funded and supported in part by VORTEX Repertory Company, Ethos, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

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Selfie, the Musical
by Rembert Block
The Vortex

April 1-17, 2022 | VORTEX World Premiere

Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 6 p.m.

Tickets are available online HERE. 

Livestream on April 7, 2022; ticket $9.99, available online HERE. 

 

When: April 1-17, 2022

Thursday-Saturday 8pm

Sunday 6pm

Preview: March 31

Live-streaming: Thursday, April 7

ASL-Interpreted: Saturday, April 9

Industry Night: Wednesday, April 13

 

Required Safety Protocols: Masks and Proof of up-to-date vaccination

 

Where: The VORTEX, 2307 Manor Rd. Austin, TX 78722

On the Eloise Brooks Cullum Stage @ The VORTEX

Free Parking. Bus Route. The Butterfly Bar @ The VORTEX opens nightly at 5pm with hand-crafted cocktails and snacks. Patrizi’s @ The VORTEX opens nightly at 5pm with delicious homemade Italian food.

 

Tickets: $37-$15

$37 Priority Seating 

$27 General Admission

$15 Discount/Child/Artist/Student/Senior

www.vortexrep.org  or 512-478-5282

Advanced Reservations Recommended.  Limited seating.

Blue Star Theatre: Discounts for Military, Veterans, and their families.

2-for-1 admission with donation of 2 cans for SAFE Austin (Wed. Thurs. Sun.)

Radical Rush Free Tickets: Limited free tickets for each performance in the spirit of sustainability, accessibility, and the gift economy. Radical Rush tickets released one hour before the show each night--in-person only.