For Love or Money

The onset of the pandemic forces a successful 76-year-old businessman to examine his choices in life, what he thinks he has achieved, and what he feels he has lost. Why did he so fervently quest for money and security at the expense of his own happiness and the trampling of his artistic soul? Join writer/performer Mitch Feinstein on this autobiographical journey that invites all of us to consider: Can we learn lessons and make changes, or is it too late? 

“I’m honored to receive this award for the world premiere of my solo show in March,” Mitch says, “and I look forward to taking this next opportunity to edit my script, use what I learned from this first performance, and put it on its feet again. I continue to work on this piece with my director Jessica Lynn and the wonderfully supportive Soaring Solo community. I am grateful to be part of such a vibrant and creative group.” 

About creating this piece, Mitch says, “At the beginning of the pandemic, I felt a complete loss of control,” Mitch says. “The crashing of the economy brought to my present consciousness deep-seated fears that have besieged me all of my life.” Like many during the extended shelter-in-place order, he found an online class to help soothe his anxieties. He chose a daily meditation and writing class with Jessica Lynn Johnson, founder and CEO of Soaring Solo Studios, in which Jessica guides and directs her students in the creation of their one-person shows. 

The workshop’s daily writing prompts helped Mitch coalesce the pieces of his lived story. “This is my honest attempt to understand and explain the choices I made in my life and perhaps provide guideposts for myself and others to acceptance and peace,” Mitch says. 

“For Love or Money” recorded live performance streams via Vimeo on June 18, 2021, at 7pm; 90 minutes, no intermission. Tickets: $15.99. Presented by Whitefire Theatre. Link to purchase tickets: www.tickettailor.com/events/whitefiretheatre/524187 

Mitch Feinstein always dreamed of being an artist, a writer, a professor, or an actor but his creative path was interrupted early on by forces in him that sought wealth and security. Finally at age 60, when his business career ended, he chose to study acting and was accepted to the Strasberg Institute. For five years Mitch was lucky to be able to study under Hedy Sontag, a preeminent “Strasbergian,” and he became a member of the Strasberg acting ensemble, The Group at Strasberg. Memorable roles included Sorin in Chekhov’s The Seagull as well as The Landlord in Gogol’s The Lower Depths. Mitch continues to study acting with Martha Gehman of Zak Barnett studios and he has had several roles on stage with Theatre Palisades, including most recently, Mr. Hammerschmidt in “Parfumerie.”