Sarah Jones Debuts New Show, Sell/Buy/Date in NYC January 6-16

If you’ve never seen award-winning playwright and performer Sarah Jones do her thing, you have to check out her new one woman show, Sell/Buy/Date, a limited-run engagement January 6 – 16, 2016, at New York Live Arts. 

Playwright and performer Sarah Jones.

In the tradition of funny ladies Whoopi Goldberg and Lily Tomlin, Sarah is perhaps best known for her multi-character, one-person shows Surface Transit (1998) and Bridge & Tunnel (2004). The New York Times crowned her “a master of the genre,” and the latter critically acclaimed Broadway hit was originally produced Off-Broadway by Oscar-winner Meryl Streep and The Culture Project.

The Baltimore native and longtime New York City dweller is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and raises awareness to social, racial and economic issues in the U.S and globally. 

Everything She Wants chatted with the talented writer and performer via email about Sell/Buy/Date, and more.

Everything She Wants: How does Sell/Buy/Date differ from your other shows?

Sarah Jones: Sell/Buy/Date differs from both Surface Transit, and Bridge & Tunnel, the one woman show I did on Broadway, in various respects.  They are all multi-character pieces featuring characters of different backgrounds, but in the case of SBD, my goal was to find the humor and truth and beauty in some of the most challenging topics of our time.

ESW: Where do you get the inspiration for your characters?

SJ: All of my characters are composites of real people I've met, interviewed, read about, or seen in other media. My friends and family aren't exempt either, though I try not to appropriate parts of anyone's life without permission--[it] makes for quite the awkward family gathering.

ESW: In your work you often portray characters with diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.  Do you think art/theater can help bring Americans together during a time when we seem more racially polarized than ever?

SJ: I am convinced that art of every kind, when it moves people, is the most effective means we have for transformation as a society. 

ESW: What motivates you as a performer?

SJ: I absolutely love the connection with the audience, how they always meet my invitation to play with such willingness, and how much I can feel my work, at its best, is a reflection of them.

ESW: Would you like to appear in indie or mainstream Hollywood movies and/or group cast Broadway productions?

SJ: I would! I'm most practiced at live solo theater, but I think I (and the characters if they could be involved) would have a great time on film or in a group project.

ESW: Let’s talk about what you like to do in your downtime. What was your favorite album of 2015? What is your fave NYC restaurant? And where do you like to shop?

SJ: I think someone would shoot me in a duel if I didn't say the Hamilton album is my favorite album of 2015. My fave NYC restaurant would have to be the greasy spoon diner La Bonboniere in the West Village. I love their challah French toast. And I like to shop lots of places, depending on the items. But for groceries, to balance out the French toast, I love Integral Yoga. For clothing I like Otte...a lot (and that rhymes!) on Greenwich Ave in the West Village.  I don't leave my neighborhood much when I'm writing.

Follow Sarah on Twitter @jonesarah, on Instagram @xosarahjones, and on Facebook at facebook.com/xosarahjones.