Kiki Time with...Erik Olson

Name: Erik Olson

Hometown: Boulder, CO

Education: BFA NYU Tisch / Atlantic Theater Company's Acting School

What is a kiki?: A kiki is a party where everyone is in lingerie (male and female). There are strong supplies of port, manhattans, and fuzzy navels. And any food that is presented must be a dessert. Needless to say, where the night takes us is always a surprise.

Tell us about Restoration Comedy: Restoration Comedy is a rich look into one of the least known and most underestimated classical genres, adapted through a contemporary lens that allows us to appreciate it's brilliance. Farce, sex, social liberation, and intricate wordplay combine into what was a rebirth of the theater in 17th-century London. As our director Mr. Iskandar has pointed out, the action played out on Restoration stages was in all likelihood even raunchier than downtown New York theater audiences are accustomed to.

Describe Restoration Comedy in 3 words: Collective erotic debauchery.

Who do you play in Restoration Comedy?: Young Fashion, the desperate younger brother of the world's most narcissistic social climber.

What’s the most outrageous costume you wear in Restoration Comedy?: Close to nothing! ;-)

Which cast member is the naughtiest?: Greg Engbrecht, just look at his mustache.

Sexiest?: Rosa Gilmore, who plays sex in heels, all 6 exotic feet of her.  Men go weak in the knees at the sight of her. To top it all off, she is a concert violinist. Are you kidding me??

Most likely to deceive?: Matthew Cox, who can improvise his way into and out of many a sticky situation.

What is your signature dance move?: My patented take on the Peanuts dance. You'll see it in the show.

What Scissor Sisters song would best describe you?: “Year of Living Dangerously”

Why should we come see Restoration Comedy?: Don't you want to be served, entertained, and aroused by 32 beautiful leather-and-corset-clad young men and women? You won't want to miss the kiki of the year.

photo courtesy of Aaron Zebrock