HORSE HEAD Tours Houston, Tempering Existential Dread in WE'RE GONNA DIE
By: A.A. Cristi Jul. 24, 2018
From August 17 - September 1, 2018, Horse Head will present WE'RE GONNA DIE by Young Jean Lee at nine unique Houston concert venues. Catch the show at your favorite music spot, including The Secret Group, Fitzgerald's, Spruce Goose and more.
Somewhere in between a play and a concert, WE'RE GONNA DIE is a collection of real-life stories about tragedy, isolation and mortality, expertly paired with unique life-affirming songs about the one thing we all have in common: WE'RE GONNA DIE.
HH Artist Director Jacey Little will direct the production in league with Musical Director Alli Villines (Houston Grand Opera, Alley Theatre, 2018 Tamarie Cooper Show). Alli is WE'RE GONNA DIE's only actor and is essentially a one-woman show with music, joined on stage by musicians Alan Simmons (stand-up bass) and Gitiim Chakamoi (percussion). Our Lighting Designer is J. Mitchell Cronin and Costume Designer is Clair Hummel.
"All of the stories in this show are true, but not all of them happened to me," explains playwright Young Jean Lee -- who performed the show herself at the 2011 premiere. With a Moth StorySlam vibe, Alli will explore a universal emotion: that alone, in-pain feeling that we all experience in moments of isolation. From childhood memories of her depressed uncle, to her failed first love, to discovering her first white hair: WE'RE GONNA DIE acknowledges that "horrible things," large and small, "happen all the time" and that none of us are immune. To temper this existential dread, WE'RE GONNA DIE offers some small, comforting thoughts through music.
Departing from Young Jean Lee's original production (2011-2015), Horse Head's presentation will feature new arrangements by performer and Musical Director, Alli Villines. Performed with her three trusty ukuleles, stand-up bass and percussion, Horse Head's WE'RE GONNA DIE team will soothe your soul with this incredibly intimate production.
WE'RE GONNA DIE Song List
LULLABY FOR THE MISERABLE
A soothing music box lullaby for all ages
I STILL HAVE YOU
A two-step country love song, in the style of Johnny Cash
COMFORT FOR THE LONELY
A soulful blues tune, in the style of House of the Rising Sun
WHEN YOU GET OLD
A Cajun second-line (or jazz funeral) celebration
HORRIBLE THINGS
An uplifting ukulele-pop song, in the style of Jason Mraz
WE'RE GONNA DIE
A swing-style anthem for humanity
For the "tour" of this production, Horse Head will visit nine unique music venues. For our music-lovers and concert-goers, catch the show at Fitzgerald's, Houston's most iconic music venue or The Secret Group & Spruce Goose, two of Houston's new concert spots. Following these select performances, enjoy free BONUS events such as a concert with Horse Head favorite Greg Cote & The Real Life Friends. Looking for a more intimate experience? Join us at Grand Prize's upstairs stage, watch the sunset at our Khon's Rooftop performance, or return to our 2014 Spaghetti Code venue, PJ's Sports Bar.
For those of us outside the loop, stay tuned for the announcement of two free performances on August 30th & 31st funded by grants from City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. As an initiative to make art accessible, Horse Head will offer these free performances to areas of our city who are as "underserved" with art.
WE'RE GONNA DIE Tour
Opening Night: Friday, August 17, 2018 at 8pm
The Secret Group, 2101 Polk St., Houston 77003
Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 8pm
PJ's Sports Bar, 614 W Gray St., Houston 77019
BONUS: After the show, enjoy karaoke with the legendary KJ Jesse Salinas
PWYC Industry Night: Monday, August 20, 2018 at 8pm
Fitzgerald's Houston, 2706 White Oak Drive
BONUS: After the show, enjoy a free concert - band to be announced!
?
Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 8pm
Spruce Goose: Social Flyers Club, 811 Congress Ave.
BONUS: After the show, enjoy a free concert with Greg Cote & The Real Life Friends
Friday, August 24, 2018 at 8pm
Grand Prize Bar, 1010 Banks St.
Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 8pm
ROOFTOP PARTY @ Khon's Wine Darts Coffee Art, 2808 Milam St.
Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 8pm
TBA - City of Houston sponsored free performance
Friday, August 31, 2018 at 8pm
TBA - City of Houston sponsored free performance
?Closing Night: Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 8pm
The Secret Group, 2101 Polk St., Houston, TX 77003
Horse Head is a participant in the Houston Arts Alliance CBI Resident Incubator Program and is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.
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