Beloved local comedian Mary Quinn has two magic princess powers. She can make things up, and she has a decent smile. Such gifts help her defeat the evil witch in her upcoming one-woman play, Felony Ever After, showing for one weekend only at the DAC.
This fractured fairy tale is based off a true story about Quinn’s narrow miss with a five-year prison sentence. Though her fate hangs in the balance, the play is sure to make you laugh. All names have been changed to protect the innocent – as well as the not-so-innocent.
The true story part is that Mary was pulled over by the police while driving in South Dakota after finishing a cross country comedy tour. She was feeling pretty confident, until she realized she and a friend had left a sizable amount of marijuana in her car. Unlike our fair state of Colorado, South Dakota considers this akin to possession of heroin, and her journey to the land of accountability begins. The fairy tale interpretation lends comic relief to a tough subject.
Quinn speaks to the challenges of putting on this production: “It’s a one-woman show, but it’s taken three other strong women to make this happen. Fighting some big fears has been challenging: The sensitive nature of this topic makes me more vulnerable on stage. While I’ve learned to sing, it still scares me, and the biggest challenge has been reframing a true life story into a funny narrative.”
Directed by Cindy Laudadio-Hill, stage managed by Tess Wisher, narrated by Geoff Johnson, and co-written by Laudadio-Hill and Quinn, this play is backed by solid talent. Special guest, Chicago’s own Second City Music Director Mary Mahoney, has written the music, will be playing piano in the show, and also taught Quinn how to sing. They have now worked on five productions together and she says that working on this project “has been a joyful experience. It’s full of Mary Quinn heart.”
Quinn plays all of the characters: herself, the wicked witch, the godfather and the big surprise – a mythical creature who shall not be named. “The audience is going to enjoy being thrown into a non-typical fairy tale. Hopefully, they take away that it’s OK to laugh at yourself. Because I definitely am!” This is the best moral to any story. Get your ticket today and see if the princess does indeed break the curse.
About Quinn: She started off her theater career in high school when she wore a nun costume to her Catholic school homecoming. Instead of giving her detention, they put her in theater. Originally from Orlando, Florida, she found her way to Fort Lewis College. She started her improv career with Durango Dot Comedy. She studied and performed at Second City, Annoyance Theater and Improv Olympics in Chicago. You can see Quinn performing in “Cindy & Mary: A Night of Improv,” teaching improv at Durango Arts Center and performing alongside Aria Petty One as Chad. A personal thank you to her partner Emma Igoe for singing along with her as she navigates this new show. Quinn is excited to tell the story of “Felony Ever After.”
Coming up next at the Durango Arts Center:
- Felony Ever After: a one-woman play by Mary Quinn. Two nights only. Feb. 17 and 18. Tickets $10/$15.
- A Night of Improv, with Cindy Laudadio-Hill and Mary Quinn: Hilarity will ensue! 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24.
- Silent Swanson Sunday: Vintage silent films accompanied by Adam Swanson on piano: 2 p.m. Feb. 26. Tickets $10/$15. All ages.
- Reefer Madness, The Musical: 7:30 p.m. March 17-18, 24-25 and 31-April 1. 2 p.m. March 19, 26 and April 2. A story about clean-cut kids who fall prey to marijuana, leading them on a hysterical downward spiral filled with evil jazz music, sex and violence.
- Theater Season Passes, $70-$285.
Doors for all shows open half an hour before listed showtime.
- Whimsical Wonderland, a community art exhibit featuring over 40 local artists. Free.
- Shop the Artisan’s Market, noon-6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
- Mud Day Madness, begins March 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $325.
- Figure Drawing with live model, begins March 28, 6-8 p.m., 10 classes, $225.
- Art of Painting, begins March 29, 10 a.m.-noon, $250.
- Magical Art & Happiness adult art classes begins April 6, 6-8 p.m., 6 weeks, $200.
- Pots & Pints: every Friday, 4:30-6 p.m., $30.
- GOAL/BART: youth leadership intensives begin June 5/12, respectively. $275.
Questions? Email info@durangoarts.org
Donate, become a member for discounts and to be a patron of the arts, register for classes, buy tickets, and keep in touch at DurangoArts.org and find things fast at https://linktr.ee/durangoartscenter.
Brenda Macon has been executive director of Durango Arts Center since 2018. Her background includes executive leadership training, business and art instruction. She celebrates the inspiration, joy and meaningful engagement that the arts bring to our town.
