By Gary Wien
originally published: 03/01/2006
What is SAMURAIZATION all about?
...Having my sushi and eating it, too! It's about getting happy - and about celebrating being alive - which means facing the fact that we're all going to be not alive at some point. The show's inspired by a Japanese writer named Yukio Mishima who was deeply into the Samurai culture - which stressed the importance of making bold, clear choices... (you don't see images of whiny, wishy-washy Samurai warriors..."Do I chop off his head now? or now?"). I feel like lots of people - including myself - struggle with how to get the most out of life. The show explores doing that by getting clear about what life is (or can be): an intense, finite experience of calculated risks.
Audiences say the show's hilarious and uplifting -- and hearing everyone laughing, I guess you wouldn't think it's a show about death -- but it is. I've had people tell me that they see the show being about facing fear, about making the right choices, about feeling good. I can agree with all of these.
You've performed one-woman plays before, do you like the challenge of being alone on stage?
I'm thrilled by performing solo on stage - I'm alive and buzzing when I'm out there with the audience. I've been called a 'stand-up poet' - which is some kind of hybrid of stand-up comic and performance poet - and there's accuracy to that statement, I think. Every show is different because of the audience and that makes the whole ride worth taking.
What's the most difficult thing about a one person show? What's the most rewarding?
The most difficult thing for me is rehearsing. It can be really lonely because my whole show rides on the relationship with the audience --- which is the most rewarding thing --- making the connection with the audience.
I notice that you sometimes move back and forth between your works (like going from Fear Junkie to Samuraization) - do you ever find your characters morphing by accident? How do you keep the works straight?
Fun question! I don't actually - it's really fortunate that, for some reason, the pieces are caught in different parts of my brain, I guess... That'd be really fun, though, to see Yukio Mishima show up in the middle of my therapy session for Fear Junkie!
Tell me a little about the Out of the Box series you co-host in North Brunswick.
Oh, yes!! Thank you for asking! OUT OF THE BOX is an open-mic series for performers of all types. We've been running for three years now at the Pride Center in North Brunswick. Each month we have a featured artist - now they're coming in from around the nation - Arizona, Washington DC, Chicago. About 40-55 folks show up each month to listen and share. It's a really special space - where people actually listen and are there to support each other. I couldn't be prouder of this event.
Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of
Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and
Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station
The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at
lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at
[email protected].
EVENT PREVIEWS
bergenPAC's Performing Arts School to Hold Auditions for "Annie"
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- This summer, bergenPAC's Performing Arts School will light up the Taub Stage with the beloved Broadway classic Annie, running July 31 through August 2, 2026. Auditions for the production will be held on Wednesday, May 13th from 4:00pm to 9:00pm. Digital audition submissions will also be accepted now through May 13th. Callbacks will be on May 20th from 4:00pm to 9:00pm.
The Theater Project presents a Staged Reading of "House Rules" by Jack McGrath on May 16th
(CRANFORD, NJ) -- The Theater Project's 2026 New Play Readings series will present a staged reading of Jack McGrath's House Rules on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Cranford Community Center's 110-seat theater. The play tells the story of Bobby Ray – a man who has walked across America to return "home" to try and avert a family tragedy. The problem is that the family he returns to refuses to recognize him, and his homecoming has come 10 years too late.
Stage Players presents "Alice By Heart"
(HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- Stage Players (ages 13-17) at Haddonfield Plays and Players presents Alice By Heart from May 14-16, 2026 at Haddonfield Methodist Church. From the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (Waitress), Alice by Heart is a touching musical inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
American Theater Group presents "The Unwitting Magician"
(UNION, NJ) -- American Theater Group (ATG) will once again present The Unwitting Magician, a special work in development by Jeremy Dobrish, May 16-17, 2026 at the DMK Black Box Theater at the Union Arts Center. The piece was successfully presented last December as part of ATG's Free Monday Night Play Reading Series.
The Levoy Theatre presents "Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical"
(MILLVILLE, NJ) -- The Levoy Theatre presents Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical from May 15-17, 2026. Based on the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" Book Series by Jeff Kinney and the 20th Century Studios Films, the musical contains a Book by Kevin del Aguila; Music and Lyrics by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler.
PHOTOS from "Pippin" at Algonquin Arts Theatre
(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- Algonquin Arts Theatre is presenting Pippin from May 8–17, 2026. There's magic to do when a prince learns the true meaning of glory, love and war in Stephen Schwartz's iconic and unforgettable musical masterpiece. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
Red Bull Theater presents a reading of "Cymbeline, Refinished" on May 18th
(NEW YORK, NY) -- The award-winning Red Bull Theater will conclude their spring Revelation Readings Series on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 7:30pm with Cymbeline, Refinished by William Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw and directed by Michael Sexton.
The Maplewood Strollers presents "Much Ado About Nothing"
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Maplewood Strollers presents Much Ado About Nothing across two weekends from May 15-24, 2026. Wit flies, sparks ignite, and love is anything but simple in this classic by William Shakespeare.
Classic American Tales celebrates Louisa May Alcott, Mark Twain, Paul Robeson, and the American Revolution in May
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- In May alone, Classic American Tales performs on a farm, in two different libraries, and at historic Peachfield.
Mainstage Center for the Arts presents "Game of Tiaras"
(BLACKWOOD, NJ) -- Mainstage Center for the Arts presents Game of Tiaras on May 29-30, 2026 at Harmony Hall at Gloucester Township. Showtime is 7:00pm each night. Prepare for a hilarious royal showdown in Game of Tiaras!
