By Yani Perez

Fast, physical, and fabulously strange, piss.jpeg (Working Title) finds unexpected humanity within a gleefully illogical world.

piss.jpeg (Working Title) is an inventive, delightfully offbeat comedy that fully embraces the absurd. Created and performed by Justin Jager and Michael Gardiner, the production builds a world in which the bizarre feels completely natural, inviting audiences to laugh while quietly reflecting on the unpredictability of human relationships.

Rather than following a traditional narrative, the play thrives on contradiction. The two characters love each other one moment and hate each other the next. They kill imaginary guests and then eat bricks. The play’s commitment to absurdism is unwavering, fabulously weird, awkward and compelling. However, beneath the comedy are moments that encourage audiences to consider connection, communication, and the fleeting interactions that often go unnoticed. Additionally, the dialogue is fast-paced and rhythmic, with the performers demonstrating a strong understanding of how language and physicality work together to heighten each comic moment.

Jager and Gardiner are the undeniable strengths of the production. Their chemistry is immediate and authentic. Their timing is sharp, their exchanges are energetic, and they fully commit to the play’s unpredictable world. Whether delivering rapid-fire dialogue or leaning into moments of physical comedy, they maintain an infectious sense of play that keeps the audience engaged throughout the production.

The production’s design complements its imagination beautifully. The black box theater is transformed with furniture covered in cardboard, creating a simple yet effective visual landscape that reinforces the show’s handmade, anything-is-possible spirit.

piss.jpeg (Working Title) offers an entertaining evening of inventive theater. For audiences looking to embrace the unexpected, laugh freely, and spend seventy minutes inside a world where logic happily takes a back seat, this production is well worth the trip.

piss. jpeg (Working Title)                                                                                                            

Written and Performed by Justin Jager and Michael Gardiner
Directed by Daniel Yaiullo                                                                                                                  

Part of the Manifestival
Through August 9, 2026
Paradise Factory Theater: 64 East 4th Street, NYC

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pissjpg-working-title-tickets-1978207365482

Cover photo:  Justin Jager (left) and Michael Gardiner (right) 
Photo credit: courtesy of the Manifestival