Songs of Love:
A Theatrical Mixtape
Synopsis: Genital warts. Mothmen. Decapitation. Pornography. Bagel fucking. And, of course ... love. Songs of Love is a collection of terrifyingly twisted, outrageously heartfelt love stories and songs that is as unpredictable and familiar as those 90-minute cassettes you know you're still holding onto.
Available for purchase: New Play Exchange (e-copy).
Run-time: 90m with no intermission
Breakdown: 3M, 3W (but can be flexible)
Available for purchase: New Play Exchange (e-copy).
Run-time: 90m with no intermission
Breakdown: 3M, 3W (but can be flexible)
| CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXCERPT |
Production History
Songs of Love: A Theatrical Mixtape received its world premiere at the Players Theatre as part of the 2012 New York International Fringe Festival in August 2012, produced by Tin Drum Productions.
Cast:
Matt Bailey
Abby Royle
Tarantino Smith
Alexis Thomason
Kristen Vaughan
Ben Williams
Written/directed by Nat Cassidy
With live original music by Nat Cassidy & the Nines
(For a sampling of some of the music, head over to the "Music" Page)
Stage Manager: Genevieve Ortiz
Lighting Design: Kia Rogers
Music Director: Alexis Thomason
Company Representative: Montserrat Mendez
Songs of Love received its Midwest premiere at the Underground Collective in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with The World's Stage Theatre Company in July 2014. The production was directed by Maria Pretzl with the following cast and crew:
Chad/Dave/Man – Marcus Beyer
Carlyle/Man – Joshua L. Walker
Paul/Man – Thom Cauley
Lisa/Stacey/Woman – Marissa Clayton
Kim/Woman – Layna Martinez
Cara/Woman – Melanie Liebetrau
Stage Manager – Joe Reuss
Costume Designer – Emily Pomplun
Artistic Director - Gretchen Mahkorn
Songs of Love: A Theatrical Mixtape received its world premiere at the Players Theatre as part of the 2012 New York International Fringe Festival in August 2012, produced by Tin Drum Productions.
Cast:
Matt Bailey
Abby Royle
Tarantino Smith
Alexis Thomason
Kristen Vaughan
Ben Williams
Written/directed by Nat Cassidy
With live original music by Nat Cassidy & the Nines
(For a sampling of some of the music, head over to the "Music" Page)
Stage Manager: Genevieve Ortiz
Lighting Design: Kia Rogers
Music Director: Alexis Thomason
Company Representative: Montserrat Mendez
Songs of Love received its Midwest premiere at the Underground Collective in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with The World's Stage Theatre Company in July 2014. The production was directed by Maria Pretzl with the following cast and crew:
Chad/Dave/Man – Marcus Beyer
Carlyle/Man – Joshua L. Walker
Paul/Man – Thom Cauley
Lisa/Stacey/Woman – Marissa Clayton
Kim/Woman – Layna Martinez
Cara/Woman – Melanie Liebetrau
Stage Manager – Joe Reuss
Costume Designer – Emily Pomplun
Artistic Director - Gretchen Mahkorn
Press:
"It’s like an episode of Kids in the Hall written by Ionesco and scored by Jonathan Richman. This mixtape is so diverse that at times it can be hard to believe that the same writer wrote them all, and is a testament to Cassidy’s versatility that he did. ... Cassidy’s voice is truly unique, confident, and strong. [Some of the short plays] are so gorgeous they just about defy gravity. ... I wrote nearly half the thing down verbatim in my notebook as I watched because I wanted to make sure I’d remember those lines. It’s hilariously self-referential, and poetic, and chilling. ... [Ben] Williams’ performance in [the track titled "The Scariest Thing"] is one of the most upsetting, honest, jaw-droppingly raw moments of theater I’ve ever seen. ... At the end of the evening, my date turned to me and said, 'This restored my faith in theater,' and it’s easy to see why. Mixtape is compassionate, hysterical, and has moments of gut-punching raw beauty. My one regret is that I saw it so late in its run and can’t actually drive people into its audience. Here’s hoping it comes back to charm us once again."
- Mariah MacCarthy, The Happiest Medium
"Fabulous ... I crumbled. Tears poured down my face and I wasn’t even embarrassed. ... [A] force of nature ... Hilarious ... The last piece may be the most warped first date I’ve ever witnessed or heard of. I could feel the audience freeze in their seats. ... Expect to laugh. Expect to relate. Expect to remember past love. Expect to speculate over current love. Expect to look to future love. Expect to cry. Expect to be moved. Expect to fall in love with this mixtape."
- Katelyn Collins, Around the Fringe in 20 Plays
"Nat Cassidy is an audacious fellow. His brand-new pastiche of twisted short plays and quirky folk-rock is perfectly suited to the sensibilities of FringeNYC festivalgoers' demographic. He’s clearly poured his heart into the project ... The stage lights up in the presence of the dependable Kristen Vaughan [who] delivers a gorgeous monologue ... Brilliant satire ... [Cassidy’s musical offerings] are truly inventive and well-utilized – a flattering imitation of Jonathan Richman from the film There's Something about Mary came to mind. ... I will be looking forward to Cassidy’s next project, even if it’s a set of covers."
- Josh Sherman, nytheatre.com
"Songs of Love does not disappoint ... Inexusable and needs to be addressed."
- David Roberts, Theatre Reviews Limited
"Cleverly written ... Complex and heartfelt ... It’s not often that a stage play throws you a curve that you don’t see coming at all. ... I may never look at my wife’s purse the same way again."
- Russ Bickerstaff, Express Milwaukee
And be sure to check out Nat's other plays: