The Pursuit of Happiness (or the Wacky Lesbian Adventures of Brillo Pad and Hula Hoop)
Get ready for another zany ride as Fuse brings you the most recent mad-cap musical from the brain of Ernie Lijoi.
The alarm has sounded: a nuclear bomb is headed our way. In a panic, three couples divulge their deepest, darkest secrets, revealing the hidden truths and traumas of their existences. But when the bomb never lands, they find their secrets may be more dangerous. A year later each of the couples finds themselves living their truths in new relationships, but are they actually any closer to happiness?
A musical like no other, The Pursuit of Happiness features characters across the gender and sexuality spectrums. Leading the country in trans representation, Fuse Theatre Ensemble presents a show which investigates the intricacies of transitioning, coming out, gender dysphoria, social pressure, and the ways we all try to be someone we’re not. And it’s a banger!
Fourteen original songs pack The Pursuit of Happiness, ranging from earnest ballads to clever earworms; this show is sure to have you singing as you exit the theatre and for weeks to come. The Pursuit of Happiness is written by Ernie Lijoi, winner of Billboard’s Best Unsigned Artist – Album of the Year (Better Days, 2013), the Portland Drammy’s Best Original Music Award (Under the Influence, 2016) and writer of two songs from the Broadway musical It Shoulda Been You.
Get caught up in the absurd vortex that is Lijoi’s brain as he pilots us through a whirlwind story about Gods, atomic bombs, secrets, queer appropriation, and onions. Watch the meta-musical Pursuit of Happiness, a play where Gods watch people watching a movie called Pursuit of Happiness, based on a book called Pursuit of Happiness as they pursue… happiness.
CW: conversion therapy, rape, hate crimes
This is a non-Reed event and is produced by Fuse Theatre Ensemble. Please direct all event and ticketing questions to Fuse Theatre Ensemble. Their contact information is here.
Playwright: Ernie Lijoi
Director/Choreographer: Rusty Tennant
Music Director: Mak Kastelic
Associate Director/Dramaturg: Alexis Polis
Assistant Director: Teague Shattuck
Stage Manager: Rowan Dery
Assistant Stage Manager: Howl Renspurger
Set Designer: Alex Meyer
Lighting Designer: Sophina Flores
Sound Designer: Matt Rowning
Videographer: Jacob Spiers
Costumer: Blaise
Musician: Caterina Schwarzkopf
Starring: Alec Lugo, Ernie Lijoi, Kate Faye Cummings, Brian Burger, Sara Elizabeth King, Ruby Welch, and Sofia Molina