Friday, February 14, 2014

Spotlight On...Molly Murphy

Name: Molly Beach Murphy

Hometown:
Galveston, TX

Education: Southern Methodist University

Favorite Credits: Three time Artistic Resident at the Incubator Arts Project.

Why theater?: Can I phone a friend?

Tell us about Molly Murphy and Neil deGrasse Tyson On Our Last Day On Earth?: Molly Murphy And Neil deGrasse Tyson On Our Last Day On Earth is an experimental adventure cabaret about the famous astrophysicist and his biggest fan stuck in the American Natural History Museum's Hayden Planetarium while the Earth is sucked into a super massive black hole. It's a comedy.

What inspired you to create Molly Murphy and Neil deGrasse Tyson On Our Last Day On Earth?:
Perhaps a somewhat disturbing crush on Dr. Tyson and overall awe for the cosmos. If I knew I'd probably need less whiskey.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Oh lots of things. People make such great stuff. I love mathematics and reality TV. I think much this piece comes from some burrowing through David Foster Wallace, Billy Collins, James Baldwin, Papa John's pizza, the huge respect I have for the new york cabaret scene, the wormhole that is Tumblr.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Carol Burnett.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: The movie "Her". Also the theatre group Grandma just did a run of their show titled Saturday at the Incubator. It was wonderful- they are badasses.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Dr. Tyson would be nice- except it'd probably be titled "Fatal Attraction: Her bookish sister"  God, I hope that reads as a joke.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Atomic Wings-extra crispy, wing sauce on the side, no blue cheese, double ranch sauce.

What’s the most played song on your iPod?: I don't have an iPod (donations accepted!) but morning time is usually dedicated to Dylan's "Shelter From The Storm" or Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City" depending on whether or not I fell in the shower.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: On a cattle ranch or maybe a boat in the middle of the ocean. (Ever seen "The Master"?)

What’s up next?:
Well, this residency is going to be at the forefront for a while- but after, I will be assisting Jo Bonney on Suzan-Lori Park's Father Comes Home From The Wars Parts 1,2, & 3 at the Public this March.