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2009–10 season > Fireworks—Wes “Scoop” Nisker

Crazy Wisdom Saves the World Again

written and performed by wes “scoop” nisker
associate directed by mina morita
fireworks festival | thrust stage
july 2–3, 2010

Running time: 75 minutes, no intermission

 

Friends! Earthlings! Humans! Who are we, why are we here and how did we get into the mess we’re in? Is there any hope for us and our species? In this widely acclaimed comic monologue, Wes “Scoop” Nisker explores the foolish human condition and the joys and sorrows of living in the modern age. By placing today’s headlines in the context of biological evolution, all of human history and the entire universe, Wes offers us the relief and laughter that only vast perspectives can bring. This is liberation comedy, theatre that points us toward enlightenment.

Wes “Scoop” Nisker is an author, radio commentator, Buddhist meditation teacher and performer. His books include the bestselling classic Essential Crazy Wisdom (Ten Speed Press) and Buddha’s Nature (Bantam). Wes is also the founder and co-editor of the international Buddhist journal Inquiring Mind. For over 35 years, he has worked in radio, first as a news anchor, and more recently as a commentator. Wes has studied Buddhist meditation for more than three decades with teachers in Asia and America, and for the past 20 years has been leading his own retreats and workshops in Buddhist insight meditation and philosophy at venues internationally.

performance times and prices

  • July 2 / 8pm
  • July 3 / 2pm

Tickets regularly $25 / $20 for subscribers / $12.50 for under 30

the buzz

“Deeply wise, wonderfully insightful, delightfully humorous.”—Utne Reader

“Brilliant, original, consciousness expanding, profound, mysterious and very funny. Oh, the audacious joy of crazy wisdom! What more could you ask?”—Jack Kornfield, Buddhist teacher and author

“This show is fantastic and hilarious.”—Ram Dass

“Scoop Nisker is the missing link between sit-down meditation and stand-up comedy.”—Paul Krassner, editor of The Realist

“He delivers Zen zingers with Borscht Belt timing.”—New York Times

“Scoop’s show is not just crazy. It is wisdom, exactly the kind we need today. It points to satiric truths about science, the American empire, and the humanoid condition. Also, the show is very, very funny.”—Lawrence Ferlinghetti, poet