Podcast Summary: "Bowl EP' is a Skate Park Romance"

Podcast Information

• Title: All Of It
• Host: Alison Stewart
• Producer: WNYC
• Episode Title: Bowl EP' is a Skate Park Romance
• Release Date: June 2, 2025
• Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, aiming to engage thinkers, doers, makers, and creators in discussions about the what and why of their work. The show emphasizes diverse perspectives and experiences as the essence of New York City's cultural vibrancy.

Episode Overview

In this episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart delves into the world of the Off-Broadway play "Bowl EP", a skate park romance that has garnered critical acclaim and a New York Times Critics' Pick designation. The episode features an in-depth conversation with the play's creator, Nazareth Hassan, and cast members Felicia Curry and Essence Lotus. The discussion explores the play's themes, character development, and the creative processes behind bringing this unique love story to life on stage.

Introduction to "Bowl EP"

• Alison Stewart introduces the episode by highlighting the play "Bowl EP", describing it as a love story set in an unconventional setting—a makeshift skate park located in a wasteland at the edge of the galaxy. The play is noted for its innovative storytelling, blending elements of hip-hop culture, skateboarding, and intimate human relationships.

• The play has been recognized as a New York Times Critics' Pick, praised for being "poignant and memorable."

• Performance Venue: Vineyard Theatre, running through June 15.

• Creative Team:

  • Writer/Director: Nazareth Hassan
  • Cast: Felicia Curry as Lemon Pepper Wings and Essence Lotus as Kelly

Discussion with Nazareth Hassan, Felicia Curry, and Essence Lotus

1. Inspiration and Themes

• Nazareth Hassan shares the genesis of the play, explaining that the central theme revolves around understanding desire and the relationship between desire and risk (00:42). He sought to explore what love means and how to love, using skateboarding as a metaphor for risk-taking and experimentation in relationships.

  “The seed of the play was really about me wanting to understand desire and understand how desire lived in my body, the relationship between desire and risk.” (00:42)

2. Character Development

• Essence Lotus discusses her character, Kelly K. Clarkson, expressing how the character's traits align with the overall narrative and thematic elements crafted by Hassan (03:54). She praises the detailed and embodied characterization that allows for a deep reflection on personal and collective experiences.

  “It's a very colorful description for those of y' all. Hopefully when the play gets published and y' all get to read it, y' all will see the beautiful descriptors that describe my characters.” (04:28)

• Felicia Curry reflects on her portrayal of Lemon Pepper Wings, describing the role as revolutionary within the theater landscape. She emphasizes the immersive experience the play offers, where the audience lives alongside the characters rather than passively observes.

  “This is an experience. You are living in this world with Quintavious and Kelly and Lemon Pepper Wings.” (05:03)

3. Interactive and Embodied Performance

• The play uniquely engages the audience through direct interaction, with characters addressing the audience directly. Felicia Curry discusses the varied audience reactions, highlighting how the character Lemon Pepper Wings serves as a manifestation of internal struggles and emotions.

  “Lemon Pepper Wings is a manifestation of something, someone, something that lives inside of all of us.” (06:21)

• Nazareth Hassan elaborates on the challenges of directing actors who are physically skating, emphasizing the balance between risk and narrative coherence. He highlights how physical interactions, such as falling, are integral to character development and storytelling.

  “We had to build in, like, what it's like to fall. Like, what does that mean for your characters?” (07:04)

4. Creative Process and Technical Aspects

• Essence Lotus shares her journey of learning to skate for the role, facilitated by the play's structured rehearsal process and the support of a skate coach. She illustrates how the physicality of skating enriches the chemistry and connection between characters.

  “The skating just kind of became secondary to the chemistry and the connection that was being fostered.” (08:37)

• The play's structure, consisting of 25 acts akin to a track list, is discussed. Nazareth Hassan explains this format as a reflection of memory and emotional rhythm, allowing the narrative to flow like recollections colliding outside traditional timelines.

  “I think this play sort of functions like a memory play in that... you really only remember the little tidbits that actually stick out.” (11:44)

5. Emotional and Social Impact

• Nazareth Hassan expresses his hope that the play facilitates conversations about shame and personal vulnerabilities, leveraging theater's communal space to process social emotions.

  “I would like them to talk about things they haven't felt comfortable talking about before.” (19:16)

• Felicia Curry emphasizes the importance of confronting internal struggles (referred to metaphorically as "lemon pepper wings") and fostering open dialogues about love and connection.

  “It is okay and necessary to face your lemon pepper wings... this story is really about love and connection.” (20:11)

• Essence Lotus adds that embracing these internal challenges allows individuals to be present and connect more deeply with others, promoting a more courageous approach to love.

  “To allow love to break us into pieces and rip our guts out... have some clarity and be courageous enough to love.” (20:48)

Conclusion and Closing Remarks

• Alison Stewart wraps up the discussion by reiterating the play's run dates and expressing gratitude to the guests.

• The episode concludes with brief promotional segments unrelated to the content of the discussion.

Key Takeaways

• "Bowl EP" is a groundbreaking Off-Broadway play that intertwines skateboarding culture with an intimate romance, exploring deep themes of desire, risk, and personal vulnerability.

• The play's innovative structure and direct audience engagement create an immersive theatrical experience, prompting conversations about emotional and social issues.

• The collaborative efforts of the creative team and cast have resulted in a critically acclaimed production that challenges traditional storytelling methods in theater.

Notable Quotes

1. Nazareth Hassan (00:42):

   “The seed of the play was really about me wanting to understand desire and understand how desire lived in my body, the relationship between desire and risk.”

2. Essence Lotus (04:28):

   “It's a very colorful description for those of y' all... Naz does a great job of creating real people.”

3. Felicia Curry (05:03):

   “This is an experience. You are living in this world with Quintavious and Kelly and Lemon Pepper Wings.”

4. Felicia Curry (06:21):

   “Lemon Pepper Wings is a manifestation of something, someone, something that lives inside of all of us.”

5. Nazareth Hassan (07:04):

   “We had to build in, like, what it's like to fall. Like, what does that mean for your characters?”

6. Nazareth Hassan (19:16):

   “I would like them to talk about things they haven't felt comfortable talking about before.”

7. Felicia Curry (20:11):

   “It is okay and necessary to face your lemon pepper wings... this story is really about love and connection.”

8. Essence Lotus (20:48):

   “To allow love to break us into pieces and rip our guts out... have some clarity and be courageous enough to love.”

Where to Watch

"Bowl EP" is currently playing at the Vineyard Theatre and will continue its run until June 15, 2025. Audiences are encouraged to experience this unique blend of skate culture and heartfelt romance firsthand.

Stay Connected

For more insights into cultural phenomena and in-depth conversations with creators, tune into All Of It with Alison Stewart, weekdays from 12:00 - 2:00 PM on WNYC.