Anxiety...The Musical!?
By Maria Williams
At its best it's fine art, at its medium it's theatrical comedy, and at its worst it's a hot mess! An energetic show for those who are surviving on anxiety & coffee that they have been told they aren’t allowed. Join stressed-out millennial Maria Williams for a one-hour rant about her life from birth to now. The two-time winner of NZ International Comedy Festival Newcomer of the year (‘19 - Wellington, ‘21 - Auckland), and current Billy T James Award nominee (RIP Comedy Fest 2022 & RIP Matua Billy).
Due to some personal health challenges, and Maria losing some of her usually high octane energy, she's bringing in the most energetic person she knows to help: Jake Brown. The show now stars Jacob Brown as Maria Williams and Maria Williams as Maria Williams. The new version? Anxiety... the Musical!? Extreme Jakeover: Long COVID Edition.
'Ultimately, Anxiety…The Musical!? is a delight from start to finish. It works best for a millennial audience who can best relate to a set oozing with naughties references and are more willing to enjoy such a frank but entertaining discussion of mental health, but there is plenty for all audiences to love in Williams' resoundingly enjoyable show that defies categorisation. - Ethan Sills, NZHerald
Creative Team
Maria Williams is a theatre-maker, comedian and improvisor with mental health challenges. She has been involved with multiple theatre companies over the years from Binge Culture to Barbarian to Capital E theatre for Children. Anxiety The Musical...!? won Best Newcomer AKL 2021 NZICF. Her and Alice May Connolly's show Mournmoor Murders won Best Newcomer Wlg 2019 NZICF. Her first show Stoge Chollonge 2006 sold out and won a NZ Fringe Award. She was also part of It's A Trial which won the Wellington Theatre Award for Most Original Production.
Jacob Brown is theatremaker, dancer, improvisor, comedian and muse (Maria is writing this so he may disagree). Probably the most spirited and enthusiastic performer in NZ, his solo show Jacob's Party won multiple awards at NZ Fringe and toured to the second biggest Fringe festival in the world in Perth. He also starred in The Slutcracker, ransom, Second Unit amongst many other wonderful productions.
