Two Queers In Wigs: 2 solo performances about gender

Overview

In this split bill, local BIPOC queer theatre artists Nico Montalvo and Tim Shu will show off their queerness and present two two effervescent solo performances ‘Lin-Manuel gets an Oscar’ and ‘Nina Nina Nina’. These pieces aim to directly tackle the struggles of growing up as queer brown & yellow individuals in an increasingly hostile world. During a time when people are trying to have queer culture and ethnic minorities disappear, they have no other options but to be as proud and as loud as they can. This time they are using joy and comedy as a form of protest. ‘We need to smile in spite of the adversity we’re facing, as that colored queer joy is the best weapon we’ve got.’

‘Lin-Manuel gets an Oscar’ by Nico Montalvo: Lin Manuel-Miranda has invited you all to attend his musical workshop: How To Write Like Lin, and has been preparing all week long for what is surely to be the most educational night of your life. learn why he writes bars like he does, the inner workings of his creative mind, and even get a taste of his new musical biopic (iCosgrove: the American Revolution). In other words, he wants an Oscar, and he’s finally willing to put on a wig to get it.

‘Nina Nina Nina’ by Tim Shu: ‘Hey! Did you know that Nina Mikhailovna Zarechnaya is in town?’ ‘Wait, you mean that girl from Chekhov’s Seagull? Isn’t she fictional?’ ‘To be honest with you, I think this Nina we’ve got looks a bit… weird.’ In Nina’s debut in Philadelphia, she will go out of her way and even confront her deepest fear to prove that she is not a fraud and is indeed the Russian girl who dreams of fame and recognition from Chekhov’s play.

About the Artist

Nico Montalvo (yours/theirs/any) is currently on their journey towards earning an M.F.A. in Devised Performance from Pig Iron & Rowan University. Local credits include Alls Well (Parolles/Diana), Turds in Hell (Vera), Calvin Barrows (Carl), and Vanishing Act (Ensemble). Texas credits include Rent (Angel), In the Heights (Sonny), and The Birds (Chorus Leader). They love to make a fool of themselves in front of a (paying) audience. IG: @montal.nic

Guotian (Tim) Shu (They/Them) is a student at Pig Iron Theatre School studying for an MFA in Devised Performance. They made their Fringe debut in Make Bank (bank teller) and performed in several Pig Iron Public Showings. They love frolicking in the rain, going to movies, and being called a transgender on SEPTA.

Credits