The Cast Speaks: Michelle O'Connor, The Barker

Michelle plays so many instruments in this show...sometimes two at a time!

We are off! The new cast is incredibly talented and comedically diverse. It is a lot of work putting this freak show together - but so much fun!!!

The script itself is hitting me in a very different way during this run. I am blown away by how strange people are (not the cast - well, they are strange - but I am referring to "Craigslisters") - it amazes me that every story inside this play comes from a real entry on Craigslist.

I am enjoying sinking my teeth into the darker side of the site - even though it is mostly all comedy - and let's face it - Craigslist is the greatest tool for finding an apartment in NYC (however, not necessarily a sane roommate) - all is not funny. The idea that we have become a society of pretenders and "isolates" is sad. The loneliness and the disturbing desires. It is all there.

But not to worry commitment phobes - this play doesn't stay in any one place for long!

-Michelle O'Connor, The Barker

AND THE WINNER IS....

Kidnapped By Craigslist is pleased to announce the winner of the "See YOUR Craigslist Encounter Come to Life" Contest. 

Congratulations to Sarah from NY, NY who submitted "A very, very large haystack". Your story is the winner!

Sarah wins two free tickets to a performance of Kidnapped By Craigslist at The PIT in May, AND her Craigslist story will appear in the show itself!

All of the submissions we received were fantastic and inspiring for our show. We only posted the 8 finalists, but all the submissions were unique and hilarious. Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest, and don't forget to purchase your tickets to the show! Seats are going fast!

Kidnapped By Craigslist runs May 8-30, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm at The PIT (154 W. 29th Street).

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/61132

www.kidnappedbycraigslist.com

Contest Submission 8: Craigslist informed me my relationship was over

Submitted by Kelsey in Brooklyn, NY

It's pretty much just like the title suggests: I went onto Craigslist one day and saw the following post:

NEED TIPS FOR BREAKING UP WITH MY GIRLFRIEND

I have to break up with my girlfriend. Tonight. I can't do it anymore. Things have been bad for awhile now but this is the worst. Last weekend we went to her cousin's wedding out of town and she got drunk and told her entire family that I got fired from my job. I overheard her telling her brother that she hopes I don't think she's going to support me, and that if I didn't find another job soon she was going to kick me to the curb. She also said that I gave her "hideously ugly" earrings for her birthday that she only wears when I am around. What a bitch.

Do I just come right out with all of this or do I tell her its just not working out? Path of least resistance!

I wish I could say that his post was a lie, but that's pretty much the way it went down. Yikes!

Terminally single,

Kelsey

Contest Submission 7: I Won $5,000!

Submitted by Lucy in Staten Island, NY

I have been interested in cake decorating for a long time. Mostly it was just for fun but then I noticed my competitive side coming out anytime I would start decorating. I wanted to start entering amateur cake decorating contests but I knew I wasn't good enough yet. 

I went onto Craigslist and posted that I was looking for some cake decorating tips and strategies. One of the responses I received was a sweet old lady on Long Island who used to run a cake shop for over 30 years but gave it up after her husband died. She agreed to meet with me once a week (for free!!!!) to show me a few things and teach me what she knows.

After 3 months of meeting with her I decided to enter my first amateur cake decorating contest. I turned a plain old sheetcake into a huge garden full of roses, lilies and gardenias. My cake won first place, and the prize was $5,0000!

If it weren't for Craigslist, I never would have met the old lady who turned out to be my mentor and I wouldn't have won the $5,0000 that helped pay for more cake decorating supplies. Thanks Craigslist!!!!

Contest Submission 6: Handsome Juror at Mock Trial

Submitted by Jay in New York, NY

My roommate is in law school and needed me to be a juror for a mock trial. I agreed, and much to my surprise, there was a very attractive guy sitting in front of me in the "jury box". This guy was SEXY! During the deliberation I saw a good bit of his personality: he was smart, funny, laughed at my jokes, and just seemed like a really decent guy. So, on a lark, I decided to post something on Craigslist under Missed Connections.

Anyhow, I posted this little thing (see below) and kind of expected that it wouldn't ever get to him. Then, next thing I know, I got an email from THE GUY!!! So, after 24 hours of consternation and misgivings and behaving like a 12-year-old girl, I finally called him.

We had our first date this past Tuesday. It was actually really nice. He wants to see me again when he gets back from traveling, so I guess it was a success. We shall see...

My original post to Missed Connections on Craigslist:

Handsome juror at mock court this morning/afternoon -m4m-34 (Union Square)

I've never done this, but you've compelled me to summon the courage. You were one of the other jury members for a mock court this morning/afternoon at Cardozo Law School. The charge was arson. You had a shaved head, a tiny gold hoop in your right ear, a sexy beard, a red/white plaid shirt, beautiful eyes, and a magnetic personality. Clearly smart and funny, you had me cracking up during the deliberation, which you kind of led. Even though we disagreed about the verdict (I was sitting directly to your right), I bet we could have some very interesting and entertaining conversation. You said you were single, so maybe I could take you to dinner?

His email response to me:

How hilarious! This just got to me from the friend who invited me to the mock trial. Ironically though, the Jewish mother to my left was all, "What do you think about the guy behind us. Cute, right?"

I'm game for a date.