“What drives the piece is Markey’s intimate dream logic and her tender, weird chemistry with Blackwell. Their scenes—existing in the nebulous space between juvenile play and sexual awakening—are punctuated by lovely, harmonious rock songs, which Markey sings with a four-piece band and the occasional chorus line.” – The New Yorker
Written and Created by Erin Markey
Music by Erin Markey, Emily Bate, and Kenny Mellman
Lyrics by Erin Markey
Directed by Jordan Fein
A fresh and surprising new musical anchored inside the memory of a Michigan backyard on the bank of the Kawkawlin River, A Ride On The Irish Cream rushes forth from the mind of celebrated cabaret and performance artist Erin Markey (GLOWBERON’s: There’s A New Emergency Contact in Town).
A live band and swath of carpet become the space for the thrills and terrors of a relationship between a vainglorious self-made girl and her family’s pontoon boat/horse, played by Becca Blackwell (I.D. Festival’s They, Themself, and Schmerm). They are in love, but when their relationship is tested by dust ruffles, sex for money, severe T-storms, and a secret cellar, the only way to stay together is to remember all the parts of themselves their bodies tried to forget.
Photos & Videos
Press
Credits
Creative Team & Cast
Performed by
Becca Blackwell
Erin Markey
Ian Axness
Chenda Cope
Mike Marcinowski
Emily Bate
Music Direction and Arrangements
Emily Bate
Choreography
Chloe Kernaghan
Scenic Design
Adam Rigg
Lighting Design
Barbara Samuels
Costume Design
Enver Chakartash
Stage Manager
Bridget Balodis
Producer
Erin Markey and Jordan Fein
Tour Produced by
Caleb Hammons
Erin Markey received generous support from NYPAC, the New York Performance Artists Collective, for the development of A Ride On The Irish Cream. This work was created, in part, through the Artist in Residence Program at BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, The Jerome Robbins Foundation and the Jerome Foundation; by the Franklin Furnace Fund supported by Jerome Foundation and by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Additional residency support was provided by a Mount Tremper Arts and Baryshnikov Arts Center. A Ride On The Irish Cream was originally presented at the Abrons Art Center / American Realness Festival 2016.