Warboy Theatre Projects' THE INTERVIEW to Play San Francisco Fringe Festival

Warboy Theatre Projects will present "The Interview (or) The Transplant Venom Called Claustrophobia," a tragicomedy in one act, as part of the 16-day San Francisco Fringe Festival, September 11 through 26, 2015.

"The Interview (or) The Transplant Venom Called Claustrophobia" plays Saturday, September 12, at 2:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, September 16, at 7 p.m.; and Friday, September 19, at 9 p.m. at the EXIT Theatre in San Francisco.

"The Interview (or) The Transplant Venom Called Claustrophobia" is an absurdist play in which the two main characters, Melrose and Bug, discover the meaningless nature of holding a job and its satirical effect on the mind. The piece is inspired by the works of Strindberg, Ionesco, Paul Walsh, and Beckett.

Chase Ramsey, the author and director of "The Interview (or) The Transplant Venom Called Claustrophobia," said the play was written as a response to holding a 9-to-5 job.

"The job I had at the time was passionless and unimportant," he said. "I felt much like a drone; I was not allowed to speak, not allowed to dream, and I felt very replaceable. I was not happy and in turn my family and friends were miserable around me. I began to take on addiction and other bad habits in attempt to escape. Because of this work I have seen countless friends, mentors, and family members destroy their lives."

Ramsey was able to leave his dead-end job, and since "I have found freedom in doing what I am truly passionate about. And I can't do anything else; I know that now."

"The Interview (or) The Transplant Venom Called Claustrophobia" was written because "I was hurting," Ramsey explained. "I didn't know why I was so unhappy, and I wanted to discuss it. It turned out to be this... I left that job, and promised I would never do anything outside of my passion again. I wrote this because I had to."

For audiences seeing "The Interview (or) The Transplant Venom Called Claustrophobia," Ramsey anticipates they will "listen when questions are asked," he said. "Seeing my father do work that he hated his whole life and living in endless denial while it was slowly hurting him helped me understand that most of us are unhappy. I hope this gives people the opportunity to discover what their life could be, and what they truly want to do."

Now in its 24th year, the San Francisco Fringe Festival brings fresh, daring, exciting theatre of all varieties to open-minded audiences of all persuasions. Often over-the-top and under-the-radar of traditional theatre, "The Fringe" has its rabid devotees - and wins more fans every year.

The 2015 San Francisco Fringe Festival, September 11 through 26 (every day but Mondays), brings 34 different shows to San Francisco's EXIT Theatreplex, 156 Eddy Street. EXIT Theatreplex is within walking distance of Union Square and the Powell Street BART station. For complete listings of venues, shows, and times, go to www.sffringe.org. Or call the fringe hotline at (415) 673-3847.

Tickets are $8 at the door and $10 online in advance. A five-show Frequent Fringer pass is $45. EXIT Theatre, the producer of the San Francisco Fringe Festival, has been presenting Indie theater in downtown San Francisco since 1982.

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