American comedian Lee Minora brings her anxious alter-ego to the stage in a solo show that captures the modern paralysis of the morning doomscroll. The production follows a protagonist worrying herself literally sick over global events, questioning how much suffering we are actually meant to process in the internet age.
Would you mind giving us an insight into what your show/event/performance is?
Of course! Hi, I’m Lee Minora the writer and performer of Baby Everything. Baby Everything is a one-woman, morning doomscroll through a day in the life of a girl named Baby, who is determined to enjoy her perfectly curated day off but keeps getting side tracked by her health anxiety, her compulsive need to stay informed, and political arguments with her Mom. It asks how much awareness is expected of us now; if the world is getting better or worse and what would happen if your mom was somehow both your mom and Channing Tatum and then did a striptease dance for you where she admitted liberals were right all along? It’s a hilarious 4th-wall-smashing power hour where I see you and talk to you and maybe f*ck with you a little, but in a fun way, I swear.
Tell us about the creative team and the process involved?
Yeah, I was inspired to make the piece because of what seemed like a never ending stream of bad news about the world, my inability to put down my phone and my political disagreements with my Mom. When creating I both generate on my feet (devise) and write. But this show is more written than any of my past solo pieces. Also, because there’s so much interaction I run a lot of beta testing too.
Team wise: I keep things pretty lean, this show is directed by the incomparable Rebecca Wright, a Philadelphia fixture. And Becky actually gave me my first professional job when I got out of college. Before Becky took the reins, I premiered this piece in the Philly Fringe under the direction of my long time collaborator and bestie, Alice Yorke, and you should certainly go see her show Lions at Summerhall as well!
How does it feel coming to (back to) the Fringe?
It feels really exciting! I’ve only been before as part of the free fringe and I’d have to say it was one of the most amazing and excruciating experiences of my career, from seeing some of my all time favorite shows, to having an old toothless man suck chocolate off my fingers until they came out of his mouth clean and I mean clean. Fringe has been some of the wildest experiences of my life and I cannot f*cking wait for some more! Bring. It. On.
With shows from all over the world at the Fringe, what sets yours apart?
Audience administered breast exam. (always consensual)
On that, is there anything in the production or production team’s backgrounds which influences the way the show is performed or told?
Yeah, Philadelphia has its own unique brand of original work. Philly art is gritty and has heart but also takes the piss. It’s interested in rigor and pleasure. There’s a big clown scene and a physical devising scene and I feel those fingerprints on my work. And there’s always a little bit of smart-ass energy that I love about my city.
Is there anything specific you’re hoping the audience will take away?
I’m never aiming to make a “walk-away” message show. That’s kind of my worst nightmare. I hope to create positive destabilization for audiences. Nothing underlined. But I do hope people laugh hard and squirm just a little bit.
Your Ideal audience is in attendance, who’s watching? Or more importantly – who isn’t…?
Come one, come all. I think I’ve been exposure therapy-ed into being able to do my work for anyone. The toothless old men, my own family, the liberal, the conservative, the artists! I want ya’ all!
But not kids. This show is not okay for kids.
It’s an intense month, so where you’re able, how do you plan to relax, and are there any other shows you intend to see or want to recommend?
I’m lucky, I’ve got the whole day to relax after I do my show. Yes, so many shows I’m excited to see but I have to say I’m most excited to show up for the other Philly artists who are coming to make this festival into our own personal cheesesteak. Don’t miss them, cause they’re truly brilliant.
Lions by Lightning Rod Special featuring two of my closest collaborators Alice Yorke and Scott Sheppard. They’ve made a devastatingly good piece about the business of letting their Dad’s die, it’s so funny and then it isn’t. Unsentimental, and hilarious, Alice and Scott would never want to make people cry and that’s why you will.
Penelope, by Alex Bechtel, Eva Steinmetz, and Grace McClean is a BE-U-TIFUL musical told from the perspective of Penelope while she’s waiting for Odyssesus to return home. Grace has the voice of an angel. It’s exquisitely directed by Eva and Alex’s music will rearrange you on a cellular level. Good thing you can now buy the album.
40 Year Old Ballerino by Chris Davis: Chris is a Philadelphia Fringe superstar and he makes pieces that are just so uniquely his. This show’s about replacing addiction (drugs, booze and toxic romance tropes) for ballet! Funny and charming!
FORIEGNER performed by Sohrab Haghverdi is a totally destabilizing solo show, about Sohrab’s experience as an Iranian asylum seeker, Sohrab’s wild and bold and funny!
The Van Gogh Shogh by Donna Oblongata is one I’m really excited to see! Donna describes it as a sip and paint. It’s Sotheby’s. It’s karaoke night. Sure to be hilarious!
Baby Everything will run at Venue 26, TechCube 0 at Summerhall
Runs: August 6th – August 31st at 10.10pm
Photo credit – Emilie Krause
Interested in being featured on our Have a Gander page? With many previews and Q&As lined up, we’re always happy to chat about including your show in future articles. Please do get in touch through the contact page to feature in an upcoming ‘Have A Gander’