Theater Mu will present Today Is My Birthday by Emmy-Award winner Susan Soon He Stanton, a quirky comedy about feeling lonely in the age of connection. The fully realized mainstage production will be directed by Theater Mu’s Artistic Director Lily Tung Crystal and is a showcase of innovation, as it will be designed and produced with multiple cameras specifically for the virtual stage.

SYNOPSIS

Emily, a would-be writer, retreats home to O'ahu after Manhattan finally gets the best of her. But trading one island for another doesn't help. When she stumbles into a gig as an actor on a shock-jock radio dating show, she finds herself strangely determined to turn that fantasy into reality. Told through a playful combination of phone calls, voicemails, and live radio spots, Stanton’s quirky show illustrates life with a thousand friends on Facebook, but no one to talk to on a Saturday night.

After spending time during the pandemic to strengthen local ties and foster national relationships, Theater Mu will bring together a group of artists from all over the country. 

“Even though we’re sad we can’t physically be in space together, our virtual theater has given us the exciting opportunity to work with some of the best artists from around the country, from Hollywood to the Twin Cities to Broadway. I’m incredibly honored to collaborate with this powerhouse cast and production team. They inspire me with their sheer talent, passion, and innovation. And they bring out the excitement in all of us at Mu to pioneer this new art form.”

—Lily Tung Crystal, Director

“Through Stanton’s script, we’ll delve into the themes of loneliness and disconnectedness, which have a particular resonance in the time of COVID and social distancing. The virtual staging of the production allows us to adhere to COVID safety protocols while exploring creative ways to expand what’s possible in theatrical storytelling. This production will be unlike anything Mu has done on the mainstage before.”

—Rich Remedios, Asssociate Director

Included in the traditional production team of designers and stage managers will be Leanna Keyes as the Streaming Producer and Josh Dyrud as the Camera & Tech Consultant. They will each help facilitate the creative expansion of theater by combining the live elements of theater with the technical elements of TV and film.

“It’s thrilling to be the first theater in the Twin Cities to usher in this new form of live theater that breaks through the confines of those Brady Bunch Zoom boxes. Not to mention that using the virtual stage is an incredible way to produce theater that is more accessible.”

—Lily Tung Crystal

During the pandemic, Theater Mu has produced nearly 40 virtual events and reached more audiences than in any other season since its inception in 1992. Audiences have tuned in from almost every state and 12 countries. 

TICKET INFORMATION

Single tickets are now on sale through the link above, by calling (651) 789-1012, or by emailing info@theatermu.org.

Theater Mu strives to voice the stories of the Asian American community, and in order to bring performances to those communities whose stories it tells, it is committed to making tickets as accessible as possible. PAY AS YOU ARE pricing asks those who routinely pay $35 for theater tickets to choose to pay that; it is the fair market value of the ticket. If an audience member needs to pay less, they can choose to do so—as little as $5.

Live performances will be broadcast online through Theater Mu’s new private and secure streaming platform. A minimum of one ticket per household is required to watch the show. If audiences prefer to watch on their own time, they can purchase the video-on-demand recording of the show and view anytime between February 15- 21, 2021.