THE PRESENT (2020)
The Present was inspired by my own life experience with quarantine during childhood. Using his illusions as a vehicle for communication, the focus of this performance was the lessons learned when we least expect them.
The Present took place virtually via a secure online platform, with a maximum of 25 participants per show. Each participant was mailed a sealed mystery package in advance, the contents of which would only be revealed during each performance as the story unfolded.
The Present marked the second collaborative effort between Frank Marshall and me and was the first virtual performance of the Geffen Playhouse, launching the Stayhouse series.
Because of the highly interactive nature of the show, there were a limited number of participant spots available, and supply was unable to keep up with demand. Web traffic for tickets nearly buckled the Geffen Playhouse website and multiple extension weeks sold out within minutes. The Present became an unexpected quarantine phenomenon for those who want to escape to an evening of theater. A total of 248 shows, 6,200 mystery boxes mailed, and a waitlist of over 12,000.
As The Present's popularity soared, the production team couldn’t help but be a little disappointed that many people who were excited about the show would not have the opportunity to see it. I proposed creating one blow-out performance at the end of the run that everyone could see. The Grand Finale seed was sown.
On Saturday, October 17, at 6pm (PDT), a group of 24 invited participants comprised of special guests participated with me in the grand finale Zoom performance for more than 6,000 households worldwide. The Present won the Webby’s Voice Award for Best Narrative Experience in 2021.