Happyness (The Wrecking Ball)

Central Eastside

When

May 16–31, 2025

Days Vary, Times vary

Cost: $20

Where

Imago Theatre

17 SE 8th Ave
Portland, OR 97214

The following description was submitted by the event organizer.

If there's anyone who understands where hysteria and hysterical meet, it's Imago Theatre's absurdisuteur Carol Triffle. And that crazy common ground of hilarity and despair has never been as strikingly apparent as it is in her newest work, Happyness (TheWrecking Ball). If you've been paying attention to Imago since the pandemic, then you'll know that Triffle has, in recent years, been slyly satirizing American culture via a series of wildly entertaining alt-rock farces. Her Where's Bruno? (2023) cleverly lampooned the fame game and spiritual psychobabble; her Mission Gibbons (2024) was a witty, sci-fi send-up of our collective response to the climate crisis. Indeed, her ability to find humor despite a looming apocalypse suggests that perhaps Hollywood escapism has lost its effectiveness. It would be wiser to confront reality head-on and see how ridiculous humanity is. With the war-torn world of Happyness (The Wrecking Ball), the ability to laugh in defiance of destitution may be the key to long-term survival. Well, that and a sock puppet who recognizes a catchy tune.

• Anne Sorce – Anny, Danny’s roommate
• Laura Loy – Danny, Anny’s roommate
• Kyle Delamarter – Jason, Danny’s partner
• Zeno – Puppet
• Carol Triffle – Director/Writer
• Kyle Delamarter  – Music Composition