Josh Sharp and Sam Pinkleton Discuss "TA-DA!" Off-Broadway Show

The Genesis of "TA-DA!"

• 💡 Josh Sharp's one-person show, "TA-DA!", is an off-Broadway production featuring stories and jokes presented with 2,000 PowerPoint slides.
• 🎯 The show's title, "TA-DA!", has multiple meanings, referencing Josh's childhood as a magician, his euphemism for being gay, and his mother's survival of cancer.
• 🚀 Sharp, known from the Upright Citizens Brigade and "Jared and Ivanka," developed the show with director Sam Pinkleton, known for "Oh, Mary!"

Directing and Performance Style

• 🎭 Pinkleton describes directing as bringing the right people together and setting them up for their best work, likening the slides in "TA-DA!" to a scene partner.
• ⚡ Sharp distinguishes the show from stand-up by emphasizing the intense effort and memorization required, calling it a hustle to serve the audience.
• 🧠 The performance is designed to engage the audience's brains, presenting information in two ways simultaneously, which can be both funny and moving.
• ✅ Both Sharp and Pinkleton emphasize a commitment to honesty and transparency in the show, even showing the audience the clicker and acknowledging mistakes.

The Role of PowerPoint Slides

• 🧩 The PowerPoint slides are considered a scene partner, creating a dynamic where the visuals can line up with, contradict, or oppose what Sharp is saying.
• 🎨 The slides are intentionally designed to be dumb and manic, contrasting with the high-brow perception of PowerPoint, adding a layer of unexpected humor.
• 🧰 The slides are used to underscore points, fill speech gaps, highlight rhythm, and even label emotional moments, such as the story of Sharp's mother.

Emotional Depth and Themes

• ❤️ A significant part of the show involves Sharp sharing a personal story about his mother's final year, during which she gently encouraged him to come out.
• 🎭 The show aims to create space for both crass, gay material and deeply emotional stories, allowing the audience to experience multiple feelings at once.
• ✨ The narrative around his mother is described as both sad and optimistic, highlighting connection and joy even in difficult circumstances.

Upcoming Projects and Theater Philosophy

• 🎤 Sam Pinkleton is directing a new production of "The Rocky Horror Show" on Broadway and Morgan Bassichis's show "Can I Be Frank?"
• 🤝 Both Sharp and Pinkleton value making fun projects with friends and express gratitude for their careers in theater.
• 🏠 Pinkleton views theater as an experience of hospitality, especially in smaller venues like Greenwich House, where he can see the audience's faces and foster a sense of shared experience.
• 🏳️‍🌈 The conversation highlights a summer of gay comedy in the West Village, with both "TA-DA!" and "Can I Be Frank?" being under 90 minutes.