Owner-actor-writer Jeff Querin loves Shakespeare. Like, legit loves Shakespeare. On the surface you may not recognize these influences in 34 West’s quirky, optimistic, and subversive plays and musicals, but they’re there at every turn.
We’ll use our upcoming show ADDICTED TO LOVE as an example. Set in the 1980’s faculty lounge of Arden High, the school secretary is the target of a secret admirer posting love notes all over campus. Cut-to Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT, where our heroine is the target of a of secret admirer posting declarations of love on all the trees of the forest of Arden. It’s a very large wink and a nod to the greater influences always lying under the surface of our shows.
Becca Anderson in Addicted to Love, 2016
Oftentimes, the Shakespearian elements are far more subtle. We always follow the Hero’s Journey (or mythic journey) in every story we tell. Classic, timeless story structure that has been around since the dawn of, well,… story.
Basically, it’s a 12 step program for how the hero saves the damsel from the dragon. Obviously our shows don’t have dragons. But metaphorical dragons? You betcha. The mysterious psychologist in GROOVY. The fear of relationship in ADDICTED. The drunken ex-wife in STAYIN’ ALIVE.
Holiday Road (the sequel to Addicted to Love), 2017
So next time you visit 34 West or watch our short film LOVE POTION, you can be on the look out for some of these classic themes hidden beneath all the hilarity and mayhem that make up the world of 34 West.
For tickets to see these concepts in action…