Theatre Gigs on Payson Road

Insides Out - through September 2004

An original play written by and starring Katie Rubin
Veteran's Memorial Theatre, Davis, CA
Review by Leslie Freeman

I had the pleasure of seeing the show, Insides Out, written by and starring Katie Rubin, Tuesday night at the Veteran's Memorial Theatre in Davis, CA. Two days later I am still in awe over the talent and honesty Katie displays in both her writing and acting in this show..

Its a one-woman show, and Katie tells her story from the 'committee in her head'. There are 7 characters in total.

Little Katie--her 6 year old inner child
Perfect Monster--well, that says it all
Hank--this is her 'laid back' character, that gets her to do the drugs, drink, blow off school, binge, very reminiscent of the dealer on the corner
Sylvia--the promiscuous one, looking for love in all the wrong places.
The Wise One--this is her intuition (or higher power) speaking within--its really great!
The Poet--her poems are amazing
Big Katie--the combination of all of these characters

It was as though there were seven different people on stage. Each character's voice and mannerisms, so different from the next. Katie's ability to jump from character to character so seamlessly amazes me. But what amazes me more is the rawness and honesty with which she tells her story. I have heard many people's stories in my years in recovery, so not a lot shocks me, but just seeing how real and vulnerable someone could be, up alone on stage, moved me beyond words.

I can't stop thinking about this show. I could go on for pages about how funny, sad, heartwarming, enlightening, inspiring, etc., this show is, but this is a show one must see for themselves to really get why I am so excited about it. I find myself thinking about how I relate to those characters, about what the 'committee in my head' tells me. It inspires me to look fearlessly at myself and to open up and try to be just a little more honest each day. It inspires me to let go of my own "perfect monster" and listen more closely, so that I might hear more of my "little Leslie".

If you have the opportunity (and live in the area) I recommend catching one of the shows listed below (and bring all your friends!). You will not be disappointed.

San Francisco--Sept. 30th at 2pm at Glide Memorial Church 330 Ellis Street (part of a big Recovery Day Event)

Berkeley/Oakland--Oct. 2 at 8pm at Changemakers Feminist Bookstore 6537 Telegraph Ave

Davis, CA--Nov. 9th at 7pm UC Davis at Freeborn Hall 25 Lower Freeborn Hall

Hip Bones and Cool Whip

Written and performed by Rochelle Newman
Directed by Carlos Carrasco

Payson Road applauds Rochelle Newman for breaking new ground by voicing painful truths about her struggle with an eating disorder through her inventive and inspiring one-woman play.

The play has received much attention and praise. F. Kathleen Foley of the Los Angeles Times comments, "Whatever your interest level, you will almost certainly be touched by Newman's emotional candor and her fresh insights into a mysterious and deadly disease."

This comment has much meaning to those of us desperately trying to build awareness of eating disorders. We face many challenges in our mission. They are a mystery to most and taboo to all. No one wants to identify themselves with an eating disorder. Getting people to come out in support of this cause is almost impossible unless they are directly affected, and even then many people do not want to "come out of the closet" so to speak. Thus, Foley's praise is so crucial. Because she highlights exactly what all of us who fight to bring more awareness to this cause are hoping to hear - to reach everyone, regardless of their involvement or lack thereof with eating disorders. Rochelle, with her infinite talents, is taking a huge leap forward in educating people about eating disorders by finding a way to tap into everyone's interest level.

-Sarah Mason, Writer, President and Founder, The Payson Road Organization

About the Play:

She just wanted to lose weight, but then she lost her mind and came very close to losing it all.

Hip Bones and Cool Whip is the story of a young woman whose diet turned into a death sentence. Written and performed as a solo show by Rochelle Newman, developed by Mark Travis and directed by Carlos Carrasco, Hip Bones and Cool Whip is a powerful theatrical experience that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt fat, dieted, obsessed about anything, or looked in the mirror and didn't like what they saw.

Hip Bones and Cool Whip is based on the author's own battle with anorexia nervosa, a devastating eating disorder affecting 1 in 200 females as well as a growing percentage of men. In spite of the serious subject matter, Hip Bones and Cool Whip is both written and performed with a great deal of warmth and humor. "It's a crazy state of mind" reflects Newman. "You think you're so in control, when in fact you couldn't be more out of control."

Although Hip Bones and Cool Whip is performed as a 90 minute solo show, throughout the evening we are introduced to a cast of characters who contribute to the protagonists dysfunction. These include a self-centered, overweight Jewish mother and a relentlessly manipulative and critical inner voice.

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