Generic Male
“...Like Cirque du Soleil meets Samuel Beckett with a dash of Monty Python…” – Orlando Weekly
see the Generic Males on tour:
A good night out!
“it’s quite sweet sometimes… I was surprised.”
“[They don’t] merely break through the fourth wall; they tear it down
entirely and dance merrily
on the rubble.”
READ THE RAVES:
Read the Edmonton Journal Review: “Stevenson and co-star Ashley Jones have both the comedic chops to keep the laughter rolling through the plight of the Beckett-esque characters, and the pure athleticism to literally carry the show, and each other, on their backs.” (5 out of 5 stars)
Listen to the CBC Interview: “It tickles the funny-bone…”
Read the apt613 Review: “…exquisite actors and superb comedians…athletic and graceful…”
Read the Orlando Weekly Review: “I can guarantee you’ve never seen [a] show as cleverly complex as Generic Male.” (Best of the Fest, Highly Recommend)
Read the WXXI/CITY Newspaper Review: “The generic male has been shattered. To a standing ovation.”
Read the Orlando Sentinel Review: “This is the type of inventive, thought-provoking, relevant art the Fringe was made for.” (Best of the Fest)
Read the Jenny Revue Review: “…exceptionally good comedy and a deep personal earnestness. The show earns every single one of its beats, from laughter to tears.”
Explosive, athletic, visceral physical theatre ruined by a tragic lack of understanding.
The Generic Males’ multi-award-winning Off-Broadway show returns to give us just what we need: another god-damn show about men. It’s fathers & sons, it’s war & death. It takes us into the beating heart of the failing patriarchy as it descends into acrobatic absurdity. Described by The Orlando Weekly as “Cirque du Soleil meets Samuel Beckett with a dash a Monty Python”. You’ll laugh out loud, you’ll cry your ass off, you’ll bury those feelings deep inside and never speak of them again. Ugh…men.
Winner of the “International Fringe Encore Series”, Three “Best of the Fest” awards as well as “Critics Choice Best Show” at Orlando Fringe and “Outstanding Production” at Ottawa Fringe, a “Jenny” in Winnipeg and “Media Pick” with a 5 out of 5 star review in Edmonton have made PUSH Physical Theatre’s masculinity satire an international sensation.
Are we just watching a couple of petty idiots or is this the most insightful piece of theatre of the 21st century? …No
Can you bring kids? Probably… There are some swears one awkward conversation between a father and son about consent. If it were a movie it would probably be a PG 13. The underlying message for boys and girls is positive and thoughtful – there will be lots to talk about on the ride home.
Audience Reactions: “…poignancy, humor and awe…”, “…a lot of emotions!”
The Cast:
Darren Stevenson (Founding Artistic Co-Director, PUSHer), born in England and now a U.S. citizen, co-founded and leads what has become a world-renowned physical theatre company. In addition to being the season one finalist on TruTV’s national series, Fake Off, many short works include “Red Ball,” developed at RIT’s NTID using iPad technology. Full-length works include PUSH Physical Theatre’s DRACULA, Jekyll & Hyde, and Arc of Ages, as well as choreography for two multi-media operas: Comala and No Se Culpe (Don’t Blame Anyone), the latter of which earned him the University of Rochester’s 2017 Lillian Fairchild Award. Other honors include the “Community of Color” Black History Month Anton Germano Dance Award, honoring advocates for an inclusive and diverse community who affect positive change. Darren has also spoken about PUSH’s unique creative process at TEDx Rochester
Ashley Jones (PUSHer) is a physical actor, deviser and director. He trained at Rose Bruford College and Academia Teatro Dimitri; before going on to train with Phillipe Gaulier and Angela De Castro in theatrical clowning. As a physical performer, Ashley has worked and trained with international theatre companies; Gecko Physical Theatre, The David Glass Ensemble, Nonsuch Theatre, and Frantic Assembly. His recent devised work includes: LifeHack (2019), Intotheclouds (2018), The Party’s Over (2017), Eclipse (2017), the Russian Play (2017). As director; Ashley continues to develop and produce collaborative and inter-disciplinary devised work. His credits as director include Rite of Passage (2015,2016), EnCircled (2019) and TILT (2019). Ashley would like to thank the generous support of the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts and his previous awards include support from Wilton’s Music Hall and Theatre Delicatessen.
Praise for PUSH:
“By far, their performances were the highlight of the entire season. Superb people, superb artists, and superb collaborators. They are a treasure.”
– Mark Cuddy, Artistic Director, Geva Theatre Center
“Amazing...the star of the night!”
– Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, TLC
“...perfect metaphor-in-motion...myth and magic...super-strong acrobatics...”
– City Newspaper
“That was epic, man...you guys are super-human.”
– Harry Shum Jr, Glee
“...emphasis on the awe.”
– New York Theatre Guide
“The most fantastic, emotional event I have ever experienced. Absolutely remarkable”
– Audience rave
See PUSH-in-Action:
PUSH on TV and Stage
PUSH Collision with Grammy-Winning Ying Quartet
PUSH’s “Dracula”
THANKS:
PUSH’s “Generic Male” was made possible by generous grants from the New York State Council on the Arts, the Rochester Area Community Foundation, and a growing list of people like you!
The Genesee Valley Council on the Arts and NYSCA gave additional funding to support Ashley Jones.
We would like to thank the following, not-so-generic, individuals for giving frank, honest, and insightful interviews back in 2019/20 when this project was just a thought:
– Thomas Warfield, Vicki Duval, MacClurg Vivian, Desire Stevenson, Frank Staropoli, Mike Bucher, Dr. Fahad Saeed, Penny Stirling, Gerald Coleman, Jae Newman, Linda Chaudron, Katie Davis, Hassiem Muhammad, Dominic Moore-Dunson, Bill Wade, Steven Jarose, Tanya Bakhmetyeva, University of Rochester Office of Diversity and Inclusion
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