Pre-show Audio:
NOBODY’S BETTER, (We don't care if you're a woman, a dog, a cat or a...)
Featuring:
You Were A Mistake, 2015
Healer, A Wounded Mythology, 2019
You Pretend Not To Know That I Am Watching You, 2017
Post-show Audio:
QUIVERING
Featuring:
Untitled #5, 2017
Untitled, 2016
On Cats and Dogs and Other Family Revelations
written and performed by Ella Veres
part of the 2024 New York City Fringe Festival
April 3-21 at 14Y Theater
The performance will run one hour.
Each show is a different iteration, repeat attendance is advised.
A compilation of the entire stories
is available in autographed booklet format
that you can purchase for $15 cash,
or through zelle: ellaveres@gmail.com or venmo: @ellaveres or at our brand-new bookstore: vermilllion.com
On Cats and Dogs and Other Family Revelations wraps big ideas in focused stories about Ella’s pets, offering glimpses of her human family and life in her place of birth, Transylvania, Romania using her dog and cat as reference points.
The cast features Ella Veres and her companion dog, Pandele, who said she's in it not for fame, but to pay her vet bills. Rosamunda, her cat, was asked to perform but declined. She’d rather lounge under the sofa than be in the limelight.
This production was enriched by the:
Pre/Post show Soundscapes by Lauren Covey
Portrait of Pandele by Tanya Nickolan
Signature coat Magic Cat paintings in collaboration with Angela Rogers
Bios:
Ella Veres is an independent performer and writer who has been active in the New York City cultural community since 2001. Her work has been presented at the Immigrant Theater Festival, Galapagos Art Space, Manhattan Theater Source, IWAS, The Field, Theater for the New City, The Moth, Stage Left, Bowery Poetry Club, Chashama, and her present incubator, Fountain House Gallery. For several years she focused on her visual art, but in 2022, serendipity made her act in Stories From My Mother at the Theater for the New City, and thus reminded her how lovely it is to be in front of a live audience. Her current solo storytelling show, On Cats and Dogs and Other Family Revelations, was shaped during her 2023 Fountain House Gallery summer residency on Governors Island and in Adam Wade’s Magnet Theater Solo Workshop.
@vermilion.nyc www.ellaveres.com
John Lance Harrison is a light designer and a Broadway stage electrician, harried by people asking him constantly for comps for Broadway show. He’s an avid supporter of indie performers.
@lancewerkz www.lancewerkz.com
Lauren Covey is a multidisciplinary artist with an MFA in Sound Art from Columbia University. Covey combines her artistic practice with her background as a peer counselor in the mental health field, recognizing the significance of sound in maintaining mental well-being. She is currently working on her 'Sonic Portraits of New York' project that uses sound as a therapeutic tool to support marginalized communities affected by mental illnesses and incarceration.
Angela Rogers is an artist who has exhibited for many years at the Outsider Art Fair and has shown at venues including Andrew Edlin Gallery, Gallery at HAI, and Art on A Gallery. Angela has been a reader of Tarot cards for over 40 years, which has informed her work.
She created several original Tarot decks and a feminist comic book titled No One Likes a Woman. She is a performer and co-founder of the bands Lone Vein and Ash Negative. Angela’s paintings have been featured in films such as Steven Soderbergh’s Side Effects, and What Maisie Knew. She takes commissions for coat paintings. @angelajrogers
Tanya Nickolan is a Brooklyn-born artist. She studied at School of Visual Arts and at LaGuardia Community College, which awarded her an AS degree in Fine Arts. She works primarily in the mediums of pen and ink, pencil, watercolor, acrylic, and oil. Fascinated by faces, Tanya often focuses on portraiture, and also makes pieces in styles including abstract, still life, and collage. She'll gladly make your pet portrait. @tanyanickol
Buy our autographed story collection
Audience Kind Feedback:
Ella’s one-woman and one-dog show provides a fantastical journey through stories and wishes from the past, present, and future. One can easily be transported to her family’s garden in Romania, padding alongside of her and her father’s guard-dog-turned-lap dog, to the bustling chaos of Central Park in search of her missing cat. Her vibrant storytelling employs beautiful prose, lyricism, and humor to navigate a poignant narrative of what is lost and found in a life well lived.
-Rachel Weisman, Fountain House Gallery Director
Yesterday, at the Y theater on East 14th Street, I was amazed by the depth, intelligence, wisdom and insight in Ella Veres’ play, “On Cats and Dogs and Other Revelations,” an hour-long monologue put on by Ella, and her dog, Pandele. The play was full of laugh out loud humor, but also had points that were very moving. At one point, she talks about the death of her first cat, who she said she brought to the bathtub, and held her as the lights went out in her eyes. I was reminded of a cat I had when I was a boy that ran away, and who’s death I thought of at that moment, which I never saw. Tears came to my eyes for the first time, thinking of that loyal pet and the unconditional love she gave me. A little later in the monologue, Ella talks about her second cat, and how she brought it to the park for a walk, ending up in the harness getting tangled in some bushes, and the cat fleeing. Ella questioned the cat’s motives, asking out loud, “Why, why did you leave? I loved you, I fed you?!” She answers her question in the cat’s mind, retorting, “You neutered me, you made me your slave!”
Ella Veres’ play is full of these moments of insight that feel very intimate, but very privileged, as if you’re in the company of a very rare and special friend, who’s granted you privy to an hour of her personal stories and gems of humorous wisdom.
-Bryan Clampitt, indie theater supporter
I had the pleasure of attending "On Cats and Dogs and Other Family Revelations," a captivating solo performance by Ella Veres, a member of Fountain House's Communications Unit.
Ella, accompanied by her loyal pet, Pandele, delivered an impressive one-hour performance. Her storytelling transported the audience to her past in Romania, offering insights into her family dynamics. Ella's stories also shed light on life in Communist Romania, providing a fascinating glimpse into history.
The stories about Pandele added warmth and humor to the performance. Ella's journey of adopting Pandele in Romania and bringing her to New York City was particularly moving.
Overall, the show was a deeply intimate and passionate experience, akin to having a heartfelt conversation with a close friend. It left me with a profound appreciation for Ella's talent as a storyteller and her ability to forge connections through her art.
-Beka Kavtaradze, social practitioner Fountain House
Made me cry, made me laugh. My own cat gets me out of tight spots. When I'm anxious I hug her and I'm better.
-Jennifer Rosen
I was shocked that people still do their business outside in Transylvania. Must be awful for breathing. After hearing these stories about pets I'm inspired to have my own show about my cats.
-Louise Kavallo, artist and educator
I enjoyed the way the stories flowed one after the other.
-Bernadette Corcoran, artist
My sister and I really liked your show. We were deeply moved (my sister was moved to tears but she appreciated it so much.)
I could really relate as I am a cat person as well.
Thank you so much for the beautiful experience.
-Liz Roberts, artist
It made me laugh and cry! The story of Rosamunda and the cat before her who died I liked a lot, and it made me miss my cats that live in California with my parents. I also laughed really hard when you were explaining that naming your dog Pandele was like if you named him de Blasio or Trump. It was also very intriguing to learn more about Transylvania; my mom lived in Romania for close to a year right after Ceausescu died while she was working as a nurse and I know very little about her time there.
-Amanda Sabin, Development Specialist, Fountain House
You are magnificent and magnetic!
I am enamored. Ella, the magical storyteller, and her riveting stories…. Your courage to get up on stage and talk for an hour!
-Alyson Vega, artist
It was a beautifully grounded show, merely you in a fun get-up seated with your dog, talking about stories of your past. You captivated the audience. You presented with ease, speaking frankly but never ignoring the emotionality of what ranged from very dark to sweet and delightfully humorous. Your build-up to talk about your dog Pandela was natural and unforced, and appropriately poised and timed, and Pandela's presence with you, seated calmly for most of the show breathing happily with her mouth open in front of the audience and stage lights, was like receiving dog-therapy visually. You engaged with the audience authentically and the division between you and the audience was dissipated, especially evident in your encouragement to have the whole audience come down after the show to take a group photo, and most people did. Nicely done.
-Andrew Meisner, writer
Ella what stood out to me the most and what I particularly loved about your life in Transylvania.
I loved to hear people laugh at times, you included your pet and love for animals, and about how cats came into your life through your son but helped you too.
Also that you have PTSD and telling this is how you cope.
I liked to hear about your father and the dog.
It reminded me a lot of my home when I was young.
I like the stories a lot, even though they were sad too, it was really human. Eg like the jealous neighbor & then she died.
And about your mother. None of it was superficial!
And it was more interesting that you brought us into another era about your country, way of life there, the struggle it was to be raised in a big family. Eg Bath time :)
I like that you went out of your way to include other people online and understand that access is important. That if you push a trolley, maybe it’s because of an animal being sick, not “for fun”, that’s not what you do, so it puts people in your perspective.
That's some of what I loved about it and most of all you had the courage to do it too.
Was fun, I’d definitely want to attend again!
-Fiona Heeran, artist at large
beautiful ella
the monologue sounded
like a song
the monologue was poetic.
if you say some poems that would be sweet
love xoxo
-sammi, poet
Real good pleasant and humorous stories told very well.
-Matthew Belle, indie performer supporter
Ella, your show was great–all the stories, cats, dogs, family, Transylvania.
-Deirdre Carney, PhD and indie theater supporter
Hi Ella! I was able to watch the stream. I was sitting with my very old cat (he is 23 years old on Tuesday) and I think it was bittersweet to hear these stories while with him.
Congratulations! You are such a gifted storyteller.
-Ruvani (Ruvi) Perumal
Senior Director, Communications and Marketing, Fountain House
Excellent performance. It was very enjoyable. Pandelie didn't upstage you. You both were great. Keep up the good work.
-Douglas Walker, actor
Congratulations on such a wonderful show. I’m so glad I was able to watch it virtually. I hope the experience was magical for you.
-Tara Sue, artist and entrepreneur
Loved it so much!!!
-Mary Crowley, Fountain House Executive Vice-President
That was a beautiful show!
I love dogs but have never had pets. I envy your stories.
Your pet connections, even the dog with the dragging back legs, strong memories of a "Family". One can get such a bond with an animal. You strongly project an image of a woman who has a strong animal connection, and I can see how such events could enliven my life.
-Stephen Weber, indie performer supporter
What stayed with me was how comfortable you were on stage, as if you were just talking to us as if we could be anywhere. Also the Romanian history of communism as you experienced it. The relationship you developed with the German Shepherd and the heartbreak to leave him. This gift you gave your father. You were wonderful and I was so engaged and just waiting for more and more of your story. Congratulations!!!!
-Lisa Swerdlow, Social Practitioner Fountain House
'On Cats and Dogs and Other Family Revelations' by Ella Veres is worth your time seeing. It's a tender chronicle. Heartwarming, then twisted fate of loss. The trials of Romania as a child interwoven by the pets. The Cats and Dogs… will enchant you and leave you thinking. Her stories are tapestries of love of oneself and love emitted to the cats and the dog. Wistful and triumphant. Ms. Veres is a veteran to the downtown performance art scene, her bio reads like a who's who of impressive spaces she's performed at. Go!
-Lance Harrison, IATSE Local One Broadway Technicians
Ella’s (aka Vermillion) show was a joy. The love for her sweet cats and dogs was expressed poetically, intimately and full of humor. I gained respect for cat ladies. Bravo Ella!
-Karen Gourmandy, Artist, Fountain House Studio Director
Great show… Full of heart and soul.
-Issa Ibrahim, artist and author of The Hospital Always Wins
Friends living outside of NYC or homebound? Love pets? Love stories? Love to laugh?
I HIGHLY recommend streaming this show written and performed by Ella Veres…you will not be disappointed!
A master storyteller, Ella seamlessly weaves funny, poignant, and heartwarming (yes sometimes bringing a little tear) stories of relationships between pets and their humans, between pets themselves, and how they skillfully bridge humans to each other, teaching us to find the love deep in our hearts.
Ella captures it all and shares it intimately with her audience.
-Heidi Russell, Fine Art Photographer
Founder and Director of International Women Artists Salon
Thank you for a wonderful evening. You created such a lovely rapport with the audience. It was so moving, sad, funny at different points throughout the hour.
-Beth Stubenbord, LCSW
Senior Director of Programming and Housing, Fountain House
It was a beautiful and stirring show, Ella. It moved me very much.
-Becky Wilkening, Fountain House Gallery and Studio Coordinator
What a great way to return to the theater post-COVID!
I am so grateful that you encouraged me to attend the show. It warmed my heart. You were a natural, and your storytelling evoked great memories of so many themes: belonging, community, family, aging, humor, personal conviction, adventure and, of course, "Pandele".
-Cheryl Savage, Fountain House Executive Assistant
Ella Veres likes to talk. It’s a casual, laid back, reflective kind of sharing. Just sitting comfortably on an ottoman in front of an audience. When she is telling dog stories, her devoted Pantele is by her side, being caressed by her stroking hand. On another night when she is telling cat stories, there is no cat with her… They are stories of other cats that have crossed her path. And that is at the heart of it… The humorous, gripping, painful, odd, weird, stories that weave through Transylvania, her birthplace, to Harlem. From all the places and people and animals in between. And you can tell the effect that these stories are having, by watching the reaction of the audience. A “theater” completely enthralled, and shocked, and amazed. Laughing out loud to the poetic ease of Ella’s Romanian tinged English, her second (or third) language. And did I say that Ella’s self-designed and handmade “costumes” are in fact her daily attire?
This is an experience, not to be missed.
-Wendy Snyder, indie performer supporter
OMG, I loved the show! I vividly imagined every single scene you described. Your dad stood out the most to me. Even though some scenes were dark, I still felt the love you had towards your father. I like the whole Pufi and Pandele saga. From when your dad first introduced Pufi, to your current dog Pandele. That whole latter part of the performance was epic.
-Sam, Wall Street Budget Analyst
Ella Veres's show is delightful – by turns hilarious and moving. Her down-to-earth style fosters a strong connection with the audience as she weaves a narrative about her much-loved animal companions and her recollections of family life in Romania. Unusual and heartfelt. See it!
-Camille Tibaldeo, Fountain House Gallery Communications Advisor
I loved your stories, and loved your kiddo joining you on stage! He is adorable!!
-Andrew Cortes, Stage Whisper Podcast