Amy Hopper, founder of the Nova Arts Project, neatly sums up Thom Pain (based on nothing) by saying, Its almost as if youre going to see an event and this guy just stands up and starts talking to the audience assembled. Its like, Is this part of the show? Or did this guy just stand up and start talking? Seán Patrick Judge, managing director of Nova Arts, plays Pain in the one-man show about a pessimistic mans outlook on life. Theres something about the cynicism mirrored with hope thats very moving, says Hopper. The humor is very dry its not laugh-out-loud humor, its more about recognition. The struggles he illustrates, youve had those same struggles. Hes a character thats easy to identify with. Youre rooting for him even though hes a mean kind of a bastard, she laughs. Its new. Its fresh. And its going to be a Houston premiere. 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through July 3, 2 p.m. Saturday July 4. DiverseWorks, 1117 East Freeway. For information, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.novaartsproject.com. $10 to $15 (July 4 matinee is pay-what-you-can).
Thursdays-Saturdays. Starts: June 18. Continues through July 4, 2009