About the Show
MR. BIG is a stage adaptation by Brian Knudson, based on a short story of the same name by Woody Allen. The story was part of Woody’s first collection of pieces (published in 1971), titled “Getting Even.” MR. BIG is about a private detective who is hired by a femme fatale to find God. It’s a clever crime caper in the style of film noir, playing on different schools of philosophy. Getting this short story to the stage was both a challenge and a thrill, as Woody himself oversaw all the edits before granting approval! It was originally performed at The Hollywood Fringe Festival this past June, garnering strong reviews. Brian plays the cynical detective while quick-change chameleon Sue Gisser plays the femme fatale AND all the supporting roles. MR. BIG is full of Woody’s signature humor—-sharp, dry, ironic, introspective and absurd. Audiences with a basic understanding of the ideas of classic philosophers will be particularly tickled by this 20-minute pastiche of hard-boiled detective stories. The warm-up act is Woody’s idol Groucho Marx (impersonated by Tuba Heatherton). Groucho opens with a little tutorial on the philosophers mentioned throughout the play. Whether you’re a Woody Allen fan, a lover of philosophy, or just need a good laugh, this quick burst of noir-styled absurdity is for you! Here’s a lovely quote from certified reviewer/producer Michael Shaun Hennessey, who attended in June:
“Their chemistry was absolutely sublime! Incredibly entertaining from start to finish. The quick changes had me in stitches. These two are like the modern version of Laurel and Hardy.”
Trigger Warnings : One mature bedroom gag.