Opera tends to be pretty tragic.

And even though Mind the Art Entertainment‘s operetta Fatty Fatty No Friends is about a group of kids, it doesn’t shy away from the dark and grisly themes and action that usually goes along with the form.

But the show also grapples with some very deep, and even distressing issues that our society has been dealing with for a long time. Composer and director Christian De Gré and author Serrana Gay have done the magic of put those themes into a gorgeous, entertaining show—and Jason Sofge, who plays Tommy, leads a brilliant cast that sings and plays it to life.

Listen in as Jason, Serrana, and Christian discuss why the show was set up like a kid’s book, entertaining work with social messages, inspiration from a late-night meal, and choosing between venue-director money or actor money (please note, neither is a good get-rich-quick scheme).

“…I think it’s really interesting that it can have such a stark, different perspective: are we watching a monster piece, or are we watching a piece about a fallen hero that never was understood? Maybe it’s one and the same. I think it’s very important that people see this piece of theatre…I really think this is a conversation that we need to have right now…”

Mind the Art Entertainment presents

Fatty Fatty No Friends

conceived, directed, and music by Christian De Gré with R. Patrick Alberty
lyrics by Joseph Reese Anderson
original story by Serrana Gay
music direction by Aaron Butler
featuring Jason Sofge as Tommy

The Celebration of Whimsy
21 Clinton Street
Manhattan

through November 22, 2015
Fridays at 7:30PM
Sundays at 3PM

tickets: $30, available via Mind The Art’s website
photos by Ze’ Castle Photography