Written by Tommy Delp
As The Focus Theater rolls into February, love is in the air! Or at least that’s what people say… as usual, it’s complicated.
To talk more about Valentine's Day, we sat down with Zoey Jodon, Eno Okung and Anna Eggleton, co-producers of “Eternal Sunburn of the Stubborn Heart.”
Spreading the Love
While Valentine’s Day is often used to celebrate romantic love, these three believe there’s a lot more to it.
“My focus is not only the love I have for my partners but also for my friends and dog. There are so many types of love,” Okung said.
Through their show, the trio hopes to celebrate all the important connections we form in life. And on a more personal level, “Eternal Sunburn of the Stubborn Heart” is helping to temper their own expectations for February 14th.
Eggleton, who also worked on last year’s Valentine’s Day show, said, “I really enjoy doing [these] because it’s a guaranteed plan and date for the holiday; I’ve always had a hard time around this season.”
Plenty of other folks seem to agree. According to YouGov, Over 50% of Americans don’t think of Valentine’s Day as a special occasion, with a majority preferring other holidays such as Christmas, Halloween, and Memorial Day.
Working together has also given Jodon, Okung, and Eggleton an opportunity to hang out and bond.
“It was an Anna thing. Then an Anna and Eno thing. Then an Anna, Eno and Zoey thing, which is great,” Eggleton added.
Zoey Jodon, Anna Eggleton and Eno Okung, co-producers of "Eternal Sunburn of the Stubborn Heart."
Exes and Uh-ohs
“Eternal Sunburn of the Stubborn Heart” will feature both improv and stand-up comedy.
During the first half of the show, audience members will be given the opportunity to share their own messy relationship stories as part of “The Breakup.” The trio will then spin comedically improvised interpretations of the event.
“I did ‘The Breakup’ format in college and haven’t got to do it in so long. It’s something I … wanted to bring to the Focus in some way, and the Valentine’s Day show was the best place for it,” Jodon said.
The second half will feature stand-up sets from each of the co-producers as they share their own takes on love in all of its various shapes and sizes.
“I’m in a very complicated relationship right now, so I think that also plays into … writing jokes about the ambiguity of the situationship I’m in and other situations I’ve found myself in,” Okung said.
Jodon added, “I’m coming at it from a very freshly single perspective. I had been in a relationship for the past eight or nine years [and] had a consistent Valentine’s Day for a long time.”
Regardless of whether your relationship status makes you laugh or cry, this is a show for everyone who’s loved or ever been loved.
“Whether you’re single or in a relationship, come out, have fun, and celebrate the love that you do have in your life, whatever it looks like,” Eggleton said.
Head out to The Focus Theater on Saturday, February 15th. “Eternal Sunburn of the Stubborn Heart” starts at 7:00 PM!