{friday classics} - year of the pig

february 2 2009
bisogno

darrel said to me
"you're not 12 years older than i am. that would make you a pig"

{speed date} : locavore edition - byron abalos

A stones-throw to the east of where I live is The Distillery, which is home to, among other things, The Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Tonight David Yee's play Paper Series, opens there. And in the cast is Byron Abalos.


Byron is like family. The kind of family that you may not see very often, even though you live in the same city. But when you see him, it's pure joy. He's the kind of family that you love to tease and also beam with pride about [ie. named one of NOW Magazine's Top 10 Theatre Artists for 2010, and his play Brown Balls is premiering at the Factory Theatre in May]. By wears his heart on his sleeve in everything he does. He's the kind of person that once you get to know him, you'd say, yeah, that guy's family.


Among the many things on By's resumé is the comedy troupe Asiansploitation. In this Speed Date, Byron answers questions from fellow Asiansploit-er, Gene Abella*. 

So what do you do?
I act, write, produce and play. Oh and I like to dance.

How long have you been a cop?
Shhhh, I'm undercover. I do have a Chicago Police t-shirt that I like to use when I'm in the US.

What made you want to come to something like this (Because there is a surprising amount to eligible and attractive women that go to these things.)?
My wife and I always wanted to go to speed dating thing together. When we finally came to each other, we were planning to start making out vigorously and storming out together in a passionate embrace. But we thought it might be too mean a prank.

When was the last time your were on a date?
This past Monday. My wife and I found that Plaza Flamingo has an $8.99 buffet! Fried plantains...yum.

What do you do for fun?
Play basketball, do crosswords, watch movies, karaoke and play games - lots and lots of games. Of either the electronic or the board variety, not the ones involving hearts.

So the Leafs are 4 points away from the playoff spot do you think they have a chance?
Shouldn't they be the Toronto Maple Leaves?

Do you live downtown? Do you live in the city?
Yup. Why? You looking for easy access?

What's your favorite band?
I don't really do bands. I'm not cool enough. I'm more of a solo R&B crooner kind of guy.

Do you have any brothers and sisters?
2 younger sisters.

What's the last good movie you saw?
It's sad but I don't remember thinking anything I've seen lately was good. But some of my favourites are Three Amigos, Singing in the Rain and Shawshank Redemption.
________________________________
Ding!

*when I called up Darrel to give me Speed Date questions, he was hanging out with Gene. Being a speed-dating veteran**, Gene graciously provided his list of tried and true questions. 


**veteran = one speed date event

{speed date} : locavore edition - stephen colella

Just about this time last year, I was acting one of the most fun shows I've ever done - The Monster Under the Bed, by Kevin Dyer, directed by the splendid Nina Lee Aquino - at Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People [LKTYP]. I loved loved loved the character I was playing - well, three characters as I played all the women in the play - but the precocious little girl, Celine, was my favourite. The not-so-secret was I wasn't acting. That's me. Not as a kid, but in real life. 


LKTYP is but a hop, skip and a jump from where I live. On my first day of rehearsal for Monster, I clocked my commute - 6 minutes from my front door to the stage door. Lorraine Kimsa is chock full of wonderful people and fantastic artists, one of which is Company Dramaturg, Stephen Colella. 


For this feature, I asked my friend Darrel Gamotin to give me a list of speed date questions. In the play, I was Darrel's teacher, girlfriend [8 years old -um?] AND mom [wha?]. And Darrel used to be my neighbour.  So in the spirit of good neighbours and the good times we all had during Monster, I sent his questions to Stephen.

How do you feel about food? What do you like to eat? What do like to cook?

I love food.  It tastes good and it sustains me.  I’m a vegetarian so that factors into what I like to eat and it is all too long to list (Recent indulgence: vegetarian poutine from Poutini’s).  I like to cook soups.  I also make a decent fajita.

What do you like to do on your spare time?

Bike, sleep, volunteer, read, answer speed dating surveys.

What do you do otherwise?

As in, not in my spare time?  That would, I imagine, be my work time.  I’m a dramaturg.  I work mainly at Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, but I also freelance.

Where did you grow up?
Bucks County Pennsylvania, which is just northeast of Philadelphia.

What's your family like?
I’m an only child, so my immediate family was always just me, Mom and Dad (and lots and lots of pets).  I’ve got extended family on both sides as well as my Dad was one of six and my Mom one of four.

Who is your dream guy and why?
Darrel Gamotin.  Except maybe taller, smarter, sassier, richer, funnier and more handsome.  Oh, and the why would be because he picked these questions for me.

Do you watch sports? If not can you name any teams you may know just for fun?
I watch hockey and I’m a Philadelphia Flyers fan.  You may boo now if you wish.

Do you have any feelings about Radiohead, Jay-Z or Justin Bieber?
I got 99 Problems and Thom Yorke ain’t one.  I have no feelings about the Bieb, especially not the Bieber Fever.

If you were writing a profile on a dating site how would describe yourself?
I quickly checked a dating site I was on and I said “While I enjoy tacos, I’m more of a fajita fan”.  This not only corroborates my answer to question one but explains my lack of success with online dating.

If your life could be a movie for a day what movie would it be and why?

Monty Python and the Holy Grail so that I could have an excuse to have an outrageous French accent.

________

DING!

Darrel and Stephen, I think you are a perfect match! You're welcome.