Michael Shaw Fisher presents The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits, which will have its Off-Broadway premiere as part of the SoHo Playhouse International Fringe Encore Series. Following its acclaimed run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, the production is set to commence its limited run from March 2nd to 28th. This original play promises to engage audiences with its unique storytelling and incisive themes.
The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits centers around a mysterious dinner between two couples that unexpectedly erupts into a gripping 21st-century class war. As the characters clash with their wits, nostalgia, and sexual tensions, the play raises provocative questions about relationships and the complexities of a reunion with an ex-spouse and her new partner. This exploration of intimacy and rivalry is sure to resonate with contemporary audiences.
The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits centers around a mysterious dinner between two couples that unexpectedly erupts into a gripping 21st-century class war. As the characters clash with their wits, nostalgia, and sexual tensions, the play raises provocative questions about relationships and the complexities of a reunion with an ex-spouse and her new partner. This exploration of intimacy and rivalry is sure to resonate with contemporary audiences.
Michael Shaw Fisher, a distinguished playwright and winner of the Drama Critics Award for Exorcistic in 2023, as well as the Ovation Award for his works Shakespeare's Last Night Out in 2015 and Skullduggery: The Musical Prequel to Hamlet in 2016, brings The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits to life with his signature blend of humor and poignancy. The play's sharp writing has garnered positive reviews, with critics praising its insightful commentary on sexual politics and class dynamics.
We sat down with Michael Shaw Fisher to learn more about the play.
What can you tell me about The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits?
Apropos question! Because there is a fair amount that I can’t tell you about The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits, as it would ruin the experience. It’s a dark comedy about a married couple who’s scraping by and whose one bedroom apartment is expecting a visit from the husband’s ex-wife and her billionaire husband. It never fails to amaze me a little to see the audiences reactions go from interest to shock to laughter to downright horror…. It has been a hell of a ride so far.
Apropos question! Because there is a fair amount that I can’t tell you about The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits, as it would ruin the experience. It’s a dark comedy about a married couple who’s scraping by and whose one bedroom apartment is expecting a visit from the husband’s ex-wife and her billionaire husband. It never fails to amaze me a little to see the audiences reactions go from interest to shock to laughter to downright horror…. It has been a hell of a ride so far.
What inspired you to write The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits?
Like a decade ago, Rabbits popped into being with a central question, “what if this particular situation were to happen to me.” I was thinking about my wife at that time, about our crumbling marriage, and wondering what it would be like if she had approached me with such a proposition after we had broken up. And that relatable yet outlandish set-up warranted a deeper exploration. It’s usually a good sign if an idea stays with me for years and years, because it’s more likely that it will stay with audiences too.
Like a decade ago, Rabbits popped into being with a central question, “what if this particular situation were to happen to me.” I was thinking about my wife at that time, about our crumbling marriage, and wondering what it would be like if she had approached me with such a proposition after we had broken up. And that relatable yet outlandish set-up warranted a deeper exploration. It’s usually a good sign if an idea stays with me for years and years, because it’s more likely that it will stay with audiences too.
The play features an engaging dinner between two couples. How does that setting influence the story?
This dinner party set up is integral: it provides endless opportunities to embrace or destroy formalities, the sexual tension, the various potential shots taken to make the audience squirm, take sides, and then change them. Also, it seems to me if two people are on the stage then it’s a fight, but if there are two couples, then it can be a war.
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| Michael Shaw Fisher |
You’ve received accolades for your past works. What sets this play apart from your previous projects?
Just the fact that it’s not a musical feels like the biggest difference. Though I’ve produced other plays in California and they’ve been received well critically, my main focus has been musicals for the last decade. So that’s the biggest difference… But I will say, the language of Rabbits can be inherently heightened or poetic, and can feel musical on its own.
Critics have noted the Albee-esque quality of the play. How do you embrace this comparison?
I’ve certainly enjoyed Albee‘s plays in the past so I have no problem with that… To be honest though, you’ll see similarities between this and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolff in the set up: two dinner party couples engaging in some biting repartée. It could be argued that there’s even one common theme we touch on…but that’s pretty much it. This is a very different set of characters, with different dynamics, and who might get a little bit wilder than George and Martha would ever allow themselves… There is no bestiality as referred to in Albee’s The Goat (or who is Sylvia) but still, it’s pretty out there.
I’ve certainly enjoyed Albee‘s plays in the past so I have no problem with that… To be honest though, you’ll see similarities between this and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolff in the set up: two dinner party couples engaging in some biting repartée. It could be argued that there’s even one common theme we touch on…but that’s pretty much it. This is a very different set of characters, with different dynamics, and who might get a little bit wilder than George and Martha would ever allow themselves… There is no bestiality as referred to in Albee’s The Goat (or who is Sylvia) but still, it’s pretty out there.
Can you share a bit about the characters and the dynamics at play?
They are fantastic foils for one another, working at cross purposes, but also teaming up in the most unlikely moments. At It’s heart, Rabbits is essentially a tale of the haves verses the have-nots, and the war that transpires between their two classes over the course of the evening when an arrangement is proposed. Everything from sex, to money, to nostalgia becomes a weapon..
They are fantastic foils for one another, working at cross purposes, but also teaming up in the most unlikely moments. At It’s heart, Rabbits is essentially a tale of the haves verses the have-nots, and the war that transpires between their two classes over the course of the evening when an arrangement is proposed. Everything from sex, to money, to nostalgia becomes a weapon..
What keeps you inspired?
I find human idiosyncrasies to be endlessly entertaining, and always the thing that my favorite writers aren’t hesitant to fully explore.
What do you hope audiences take away from the play?
I hope they come away arguing in their Uber, or on the subway platform…or over drinks. Haha. No seriously, the goal is not to enforce any opinion or grand message on anyone, but just ask the question: “what would you do in the situation these people find themselves in…” Because that’s all I was doing when I was writing the play.
I hope they come away arguing in their Uber, or on the subway platform…or over drinks. Haha. No seriously, the goal is not to enforce any opinion or grand message on anyone, but just ask the question: “what would you do in the situation these people find themselves in…” Because that’s all I was doing when I was writing the play.
Where can audiences see the show?
It’s will be running at the Soho Playhouse the whole month of March 2026. Hope to see you there!
It’s will be running at the Soho Playhouse the whole month of March 2026. Hope to see you there!
Tickets are available from https://www.sohoplayhouse.com/see-a-show/the-amazing-sex-life-of-rabbits
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