Sit down. Pay attention. She needs to tell you something.
It’s Ms. Joy’s last day teaching you in 1st Grade and she wants to tell you about something that hurt her feelings. How do we spell feelings? When should we ask for forgiveness? Could you come up and draw it on the board? Don’t worry, I know it can be tricky but you’ll figure it all out soon enough, kids always do.
Set inside a classroom, Big Feelings places audiences directly in the room with Ms. Joy for an intimate, audience-integrated experience.
Performances run June 29 through July 23 at The Cell, NYC—only 20 students admitted each night. School Nights Only.
Class is almost in session. Sign up for updates at BigFeelingsThePlay.com before the bell rings. Tickets drop soon.
🫧 It’s time to get things started - GOOEY begins tomorrow night! 🫧 Get tix at link in bio 💫
Concept, Book & Lyrics by La Daniella
Music, Arrangements & Lyrics by Ben Langhorst
Directed by Sammy Zeisel
Presented in association with ¡Oye! Group
#GOOEY #ladaniella #bushwickstarr #puppetmusical #letsplay
“The Undercity” is honored to receive a Production Grant from the Jim Henson Foundation—and to have our scrappy rat pageant play in such inspiring company on the 2026 Grant Recipient List. 🐀✨
Thank you for helping to make this dream possible, @jimhensonfoundation . We’ll try and do right by Jim with our rodent-infused climate futurism.❤️
We’re excited to return together to the great subterranean rat metropolis this year. Stay tuned for more transmissions from the deep.
Photos by @trimblenator , ft. @cat.raynor ’s ingenious turntable set & @_ronniejohns_ ’s beloved moleperson gloves
#theundercity
Happy Birthday to my wife Ella P.
Every year I try to come up with the words to express my love for you. As I look back at the Instagram posts of years past I realize that I keep circling the same ones: “grace” “goofiness” “goodness.” Many inexplicably start with “g” though none fully encompass who you are to your community, your family, and so particularly to me. I fall short every year. Today, however, I want to somehow speak of your power…the power you have to impact people, make them feel seen, empower them to love better in their own lives. It’s easy to feel that what we do not make a difference, but I get to witness every day the concrete ways that you leave people and places better than you found them. I have a hunch that any faith I have that we matter comes from watching you matter so obviously and profoundly.
So thank you for that Ella P—and for so much more I’ll never come close to expressing in words. Happy birthday. The world is so lucky to have you ❤️.
ABBY PAJ TRIES TO STAY ALIVE at The Neo-Futurists
Extremely special to return to beloved Chicago to direct my old friend @abbypaj at the legendary @theneofuturists . This show was moving, funny, and so truly alive — endless gratitude to all who came and for the experience.
And my goodness, what a team:
Written & Performed by Abby Pajakowski
Stage Manager—Jayce Lewis
Associate Director — Octavio Montes De Oca
Assistant Stage Manager — Sofi Olona
Lighting & Sound Designers — Spencer Meeks and Ryn Hartiman
Props & Costume Designer—Caitlin McCarthy
Producer—Will Sonheim
Poster Photography—Nick DiMaso
Production Photography—Justin Barbin
@octavio.montess@sofi.olona@jayce_lewis_@spencerameeks@rynthesis.av@c.mc.c@willsonheim@willsonheim@nickdimaso@justinbarbin
One year of marriage to Ella P. People often ask whether after 12 years of being together marriage feels any different. The answer very honestly is yes. We built ourselves a door to walk through on that day, no less real for the fact we built it ourselves. On the other side, our commitment is somehow deeper, a quality which makes everything—drinking coffees in the morning, holding hands at the movies, watching Top Chef at night—all the more beautiful. Who knows how many of these years we get, but today I’m feeling profoundly grateful for even one.
It is Ella Pennington’s birthday today. The love that Ella puts into the world is profound. If you are her friend, you are likely wracked with guilt due to the many thoughtful, beautiful things she has done for you that you could not in one million years repay. So now just imagine being her HUSBAND. But the truth is, she never makes anyone feel guilty—she gives love as a matter of habit and teaches all how to be better family, friends, and humans in the process. So take a moment today to express your love and gratitude for the greatest of them all. Happy birthday Ella P—I am as grateful as ever today for exquisite eye for beauty, your goofiness in the morning, and your steady, steady faith. ❤️
