Jason Cady
Happiness is the Problem: A Phono-Graphic Novel
“But, I mean, in order to, to actually do human trials you have to go through all this rigmarole, and rent is due, we don’t have time…”
Happiness is the Problem is a two-act opera buffa and comic book about idealism and disillusionment. It stars three young women who sell an elixir of happiness derived from the secretions of slugs that they market as “Euphoressence.”
Deanna Neil, soprano
Erin Flannery, soprano
Lisa Komara, mezzo-soprano
Mary Halvorson, guitar
Jason Cady, synthesizer
Joe Bergen, vibraphone
Tim Dahl, bass
Tomas Fujiwara, drums
music by Jason Cady
comic book by Nadia Berenstein
libretto by Jason Cady and Nadia Berenstein
dialogue by Jason Cady, Nadia Berenstein and Amy Cimini
Ben Neill will present a concert of music for his self-designed mutantrumpet and interactive electronics. The program will include a new version of Neill’s earliest interactive computer piece, Dis-Solution 2 (1986), as well as new music with live digital video by Bill Jones. In these works the dynamics of Neill’s musical performance affect the video images in real time. Also joining Neill will be percussionist Shawn Trail.
www.benneill.com,
www.myspace.com/benneill