Long Island City. 2019. In an ego-driven and narcissistic world, two women possess the distinct anxiety of calling themselves artists. In a last ditch effort before they throw in the proverbial towel and become accountants, the pair begin work on what they hope will be their magnum opus, an ambitious and hellish physical-theatre adaptation of Dante’s Inferno. Crushing Baby Animals follows two traumatized women growing up in the millennial age as they accidentally open a cosmic wormhole that sucks them through space, time and the human mind. This meta work takes us on an uncharted and timely adventure through parallel dimensions and personal hells, bringing us face to face with our own antagonistic Dopplegangers, the perils of the human psyche, and the absurd pitfalls of human identity. The play blends physical theatre, multimedia and a healthy dose of humor in a unique artistic experience.

“Crushing Baby Animals reflects our real shared experience as women making theatre in New York City, our real shared nightmare, and the discovery of what that coincidence could possibly mean,” states playwrights Tana Sirois and Maria Swisher. “Through a sci-fi theatrical device, we explore how to live, make art, and not go crazy in this mad world. It’s challenging to feel sane and/or connected to one another right now; we are trying to approach these topics with bravery, vulnerability, and humor, baring our souls and taming our egos.”

Coupling visual art and live theater, the play is performed amid a LIC Artists, Inc. fine art exhibition entitled “Welcome to the Multiverse,” themed specifically to coincide with the production. “Welcome to the Multiverse” is curated by Janet Rutkowski and will be on view at the Plaxall Gallery from June 19th through July 21th. Gallery hours: Thursday from 6pm-10pm, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-6pm.