Mt Rushmore
photo by Ken Schles
Mt Rushmore
We can change our world.
The newest show from award-winning New York performer, Monica Hunken. This is the story of one American woman's fantastical life in the throes of the rebellious Reagan era. A true 1980's queer adventure with espionage, unexpected friendship and second chances.
With live music
WHO:
Writer / Performer: Monica Hunken
Band:
Drums: Nikkie McLeod
Trumpet/ Electric Bass: Ben Eshleman
Upright Bass/ Music Arranger: Phil Andrews
Performer: Caio D’aguilar
Co-Director: Theresa Buchheister
Co-Director: Nehemiah Luckett
Play Consultant: Melissa Chambers
Dramaturg: Phillip Santos Schaffer
ABOUT:
Mt. Rushmore is a time travel, punk rock voyage that lands the audience in the throes of the rebellious Reagan era, where they help the performer on her quest to save her mother from a lifetime of grief and Conservatism. This wild quest is a true 1980s adventure - packed to the brim with espionage, unexpected friendships, and even a chance for redemption. Mt. Rushmore also features live original music with a band.
Mt Rushmore is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC)
Photos by Ken Schles and Erik McGregor
Developed with generous support from artist residency SPACE on Ryder Farm in upstate NY and a month long residency at Fish Factory in Iceland
“Monica Hunken’s wildly fun 1980s queer punk rock rebellion fantasia, Mt. Rushmore”
““Mt Rushmore has it all: badass women, time travel, punk rock, political activism, family dynamics, the ’80s, and live music. There’s injustice, deadly corporate malfeasance, a fear-mongering politician, and espionage. But also hope and strength and humor. It’s like you took The Americans, made it a DIY sci-fi with a strong social conscience, and set it to a Black Flag soundtrack. I’m in.”
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“A thoroughly enjoyable evening in the theatre. Monica Hunken is a wonderful storyteller who knows how to play to and with an audience and we are happy to go along for the ride. The satire is funny, the poignant mother-daughter moments are lovely and Monica transforms into each character with specificity and simplicity. I had a great time. Mount Rushmore rocks!”
“The show had a well-developed and captivating personal voice, and her stage presence was larger than life. There was not a wasted word as she (somehow) seamlessly transitioned between starkly contrasting musical styles, a variety of characters and story lines. Monica left everything on stage in a performance that is difficult to forget after experiencing.
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Audience Responses:
“Everyone needs to see this show.”
Congratulations on such an entertaining, thoughtful, powerful and loving piece.”
“The play was more than I hoped for; Loud, funny, honest, moving and ultimately uplifting.”
“What a great show!! You’re storytelling unbelievably articulate and full of emotions. You had me all over the place! Just really brilliant theatre.”
“Monica, congratulations on an absolutely amazing, successful and moving piece you have created. It was so inspiring.”
“I loved how you managed to create something so deeply personal and self reflective that was universally relatable and relevant to the current moment we're all living in. I thought it was brave and vulnerable… You did it beautifully and it came across marvelously, thank you so much for sharing your incredible and moving stories with the world and for helping us all imagine a better one.”
“ I was privileged to see it last evening & found it powerful, funny, rocking, vulnerable, angry, & uplifting. Monica (& the band) can break your heart and make you rock your body. See them if you can.”
“The way you weave the threads of your life and family history with US and global politics is so powerful, a profound model for personal repair. Thank you.”
“So moving and engrossing, Monica - you are amazing! So glad I got to see this iteration. Kudos to you and everyone involved at Mt Rushmore”
“It was so great to see the show and to see you thriving in your element on stage”
“You’re such an excellent damn performer”
“It was great to see you too and I really really loved the piece! So brave, so healing, so rock n roll!!”
“Truly amazing work”
“Oh monica honestly that was absolutely fucking incredible, Not just the story and your performance but every single design detail, everything. It was magnificent”
Photo by Ken Schles
Previous performances:
-On Women Festival at Irondale Center in Brooklyn, NY July 2022
-Theater of Changes Festival in Athens, Greece August 2021
-The Brick Theater April 2019
-Exponential Theater Festival at Triskelion Arts January 2019
-Charm City Fringe November 2018
-MKE Fringe Festival in late August 2018