#imkillinemacomicsopera

[independentartistbuzz]

Indie 5-0 with Cary Hoffman

“I’m Killin’ ‘Em...A Comic’s Opera” is the new theatrical piece from composer and lyricist Cary Hoffman. This incredibly powerful opera was written for Cary’s friend, stand up comedian Bernie Travis, a victim of childhood sexual abuse. As a result of such abuse, his life was forever altered he ended up taking his own life. Listen and read more about this story here.

We got the opportunity to speak with Cary about this piece in this very special edition of Indie 5-0. So, without further ado, let’s dive in:

Your rock opera "I'm Killin' Em...A Comic's Opera" is about your late friend and comic Bernie Travis, who suffered sexual abuse as a child. If you are comfortable, what can you tell us about Bernie's life? To you, what is his lasting legacy?

Bernie’s life was filled with torturous dissonance and disappointments. He could be incredibly and brilliantly funny but only offstage when he was with his closest friends The moment he walked on stage it would disappear into a standard predictable comedy act...he could never trust who he really was...and failure was in his DNA...due to inappropriate love from his father. He tried to have a more normal life...getting married and having a daughter but his own horrible childhood never prepared him to be a dad....and ultimately led to estrangement from his wife and daughter. His lasting legacy is a political comedy album called the Pentagon Papers which he wrote..(he was always fighting against political and social injustices )..and a film called Dirty Mouth where he played his hero...Lenny Bruce. But because of his past he was always helping people he saw who were in some emotional need...He had amazing empathy for everyone except himself...  But the real tragedy was his distance from reality  which grew bigger and bigger as he grew older..so his distortions of life became his only reality.

Why this story and why now?

Why this story now...over 20 percent of all people have been sexually abused as children...and it's probably higher due to most people not reporting their abuse. If only the issue was more visible maybe people wouldn't be afraid to share their stories.  Who knows how many people who commit crimes against others...i.e., January 6 Rioters....and themselves and never fit in were sexually abused as children.

How does the music shape the story?

I needed a way to intensify the emotions and drama of Bernie’s story as only music can do...and the dissonance and angular rock music I wrote was a perfect parallel way to express his dark story. Also music helps to smooth out the bumps of tragedy as Opera composers have know for a hundred years. My opera is really just the interior thoughts of a man who was doomed by a horrendous childhood tragedy so having him sing his story makes it so much more intense and complex because of all the different kinds of music I used. With Democracy being threatened all over the world this is a life and death moment for mental health and for helping others.

Do you see this going to Broadway or any other live theatre?

I believe that my opera is at its heart...a theater piece...whether on Broadway or in a great performance space so that the theatrical inventions of imaginative staging will be an important component of the story...from the backdrop to multiple characters playing the people who were responsible for Bernie’s abuse.

What is the message you hope audiences get with "I'm Killin' Em...A Comic's Opera"?

CHILDHOOD TRAUMA IS FOREVER! It does not disappear as time goes on and a person has great success...or not...love can help...but it never goes away and the world has to accept this basic truth and confront this with education and self awareness. This hidden crime deserves  to have all the spotlights of the world shine on it so it can't hide anymore!