Last May, Hoboken natives Adam Wade and Carla Katz put on a show at the Mile Square Theatre that did something seemingly simple but actually complex: It brought people on stage and challenged them to well, tell a story. That show, the first installment in Adam and Carla’s On the Waterfront Storytelling Series, completely sold out and was a huge hit with the crowd. Now comes the next installment of the series and the people behind it are hoping to replicate that first magical experience.
“A good story answers yes to these questions: is it authentic, is it coming from a real person, and can I connect to them?” the duo shared.
“The Mile Square Theatre is a cool venue for our show and a Hoboken gem,” they continued. “The space is big enough to generate that exciting crowd feel but intimate enough to let the audience relate to the storytellers. Make sure to let people know to get tickets early because we’ll sell out.” You can nab tickets here!
{Photo courtesy of Adam Wade and Carla Katz}
Hoboken Girl got the chance to catch-up with Adam and Carla and interview them about the upcoming series, which debuts on Saturday, October 27 at 8:00PM. Keep reading to get the details of their Q&A!
HG: What is a storytelling show?
Adam and Carla: Essentially, our storytelling show is a collection of personal narrative stories told from the heart by superb storytellers. The stories run the range of emotion and they connect us to each other as humans. People want to break away from their phones and relate in a more meaningful way. As a result, live storytelling is having a tremendous moment in New York and around the country. There is a huge audience for these kinds of experiences right now and we were thrilled that our first show sold out!
HG: What can audiences expect?
A and C: The audience for our show can expect to have a fantastic time, to laugh, and to be moved.
HG: Can you talk about how you two began creatively collaborating together? How did the show come to be?
A and C: We met several years ago, when Carla took a storytelling class with Adam at the Magnet Theatre. We both live here in Hoboken and share a love of this city and of honest stories. We hatched the plan for the On The Waterfront Storytelling Series on a ride home from doing a show together in the city. We wondered, why can’t we do something like this in Hoboken? The people here deserve to have it on this side of the river. We took a chance and, wow, it’s been a major success!
HG: Who are some of each of your favorite storytellers?
A and C: Pretty much the ones we’ve asked to do the show and we’ve been lucky to get them! {FYI: the lineup includes Adam Wade, Inside Amy Schumer, 20-time Moth Champion; Ed Gavagan, The Moth Radio Hour, Ted Talks; Angela Dohrmann Seinfeld, Second City, Moth Champion; Richard Cardillo, Tank, Moth Champion; David Martin, Upright Citizens Brigade; and Carla Katz, Peoples Improv Theatre, Comedy Cellar.
The comedian CJ Hunt from the Daily Show with Trevor Noah will host the evening.
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HG: How do you pick the show talent? What’s the vetting process like? How does the show come together to best showcase all the talents’ unique voices?
A and C: All the storytellers we’ve invited are at the top of the craft. We have worked with each of them and know that their stories are amazing. In shaping the show, we talk with each of the performers about the stories they want to tell and then create a lineup that that we hope takes the audience on an emotional journey. We promise it will be an epic night.
HG: What’s the audience like — is this a family event or PG-13?
A and C: The audience that came to the last show was a terrific mix of people. They were mostly Hoboken and Jersey City locals as well as storytellers and other performers from NYC. We set the minimum age at 18 because some of the stories have salty language or might deal with sexual topics. It’s a perfect adult’s night out!
HG: We heard a rumor that the $25 fee includes a glass of wine… Confirm or deny?!
A and C: Oh yes to the vino! The ticket price includes a glass of delicious wine which we serve before the show and during intermission. The wine was a big hit at the last show and shout out to Jay at Cork Wines for the great choices.
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Interested in seeing the show? Don’t forget to score your tickets here.
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