Today on the podcast, we talk about the final production of Theatre Exile’s 25th season, Today is My Birthday by Susan Soon He Stanton. Here is my interview with Rachel O’Hanlon Rodriguez and Daniel Kim for Today is My Birthday.

Today is My Birthday is about life with a thousand friends on Facebook and no one to have dinner with on Saturday night. This quirky comedy by award-winning screenwriter and playwright Susan Soon He Stanton tells the story of would-be writer Emily, who moves back home to Hawaii after her bubble life in New York pops. As she trades one island for another, Emily, feeling unfulfilled, creates an alter-ego for a radio dating show, determined to turn fantasy into reality. Today is My Birthday, told through a playful mixture of live radio, voicemail, and phone calls, is about finding true human connection in a digital-obsessed world.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Rachel O’Hanlon-Rodriguez (Hailma, DJ Solange, Goddess Sweet Leilani, Generic Female Voice, Hostess, she/they) is thrilled to make their Theater Exile debut. Rachel is a Philly-based actor, poet, organizer, trauma-informed teaching artist, and facilitator. They are the Operations Associate of Spiral Q and serve as a member of the Artistic Squad of Delaware Shakespeare Theater. Rachel has spent the last decade working with theater companies throughout the region such as Power Street Theatre, Die Cast, The Hum’n’Bards, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Simpatico Theatre Company, The Wilma Theater, the Arden Theatre, EgoPo Classic Theater, and the International Performing Arts for Youth. Rachel received her Master’s in Theater from Villanova University. Follow Rachel’s creative journey on Instagram @the.inter.section or at www.rachelohanlonrodriguez.com.

DANIEL KIM (Dad, Bill Tapia, he/him) is an actor and standup comedian who has appeared across the country. While in Los Angeles, he played the villainous Judge Turpin in the award-winning production of Sweeney Todd at East West Players, the nation’s oldest Asian American theater. Dan also played family friend Stan on Margaret Cho’s sitcom All American Girl. In addition, Dan was a member of the Warner Bros. Comedy Writing Workshop. In Philadelphia, Dan most recently played the role of Atung in The Chinese Lady at Interact Theatre. In addition, Dan appeared in Tiger Style, the inaugural production of Philadelphia Asian Performance Artists (PAPA). At the South Camden Theatre (NJ), Dan played the role of Wong in both the premiere and revival of Fortune Cookies. Dan was also a founding member of the performance group Asians Misbehavin’ (NY & Philly Fringe Festivals, WYBE-TV), as well as the Edge of the World ensemble (NAATCO, LaMama). Dan has performed stand-up comedy at clubs in Chicago (Zanies, Comedy Cottage), New York (Improv, Gotham Comedy Club), and Philadelphia (Comedy Cabaret). Love to Doris, Melody, Maple, and Lolly!

FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION: https://theatreexile.org

On today’s podcast, Deb Block met me outside the new “Exile Building” for an audible tour as Theatre Exile prepares to open “An Oak Tree” by Tim Crouch featuring Pearce Bunting and a slew of notable Phialdelphia Artists and special guests like Evan Jonigkeit, Zosia Mamet and Paul Giamatti. Stay Tuned!