Performance Artist Sara Juli Bets Her Bottom Dollar in “The Money Conversation”
If someone offered you $1, would you take it? What about $10? $100? $1000? Too good to be true? Here’s the catch: If you walk away with the money, you’ll have to live with yourself knowing that you’re walking away with someone else’s life savings. Still worth it?
New York-based performance artist, Sara Juli challenges audience members with these questions and many more in “The Money Conversation,” playing at the Napa Valley Opera House Tuesday July 29th at 8pm.
In her tour-de-force, one-woman show, Juli confronts her worst fear: losing all her money. Over the course of the evening, Juli will give away her life savings of $5000 to various members of the audience. She figures, “If you risk losing everything, you stand to gain so much more in return”. Sometimes she will hand over the money directly, and other times, the audience members will have to fish through her pockets (or toes) for it. The money is real, and so is the possibility of walking away with it. No one will know but you. Will you pocket the cash, or give it back?
Juli premiered the show in 2006 after performing several “test runs” where she gave away $1000 at a time. At some performances, she gets it all back (via anonymous “give back boxes” at the back of the theater), and at others she doesn’t. She’s learned to accept either possibility. Sometimes, however, the audience surprises her by reciprocating her generosity and giving back more than they’ve taken collectively. The show is a nervy exploration of trust, permission, desire, honor and sympathy. And it’s paid off - if not in money, then in acclaim. Juli has received rave reviews from audiences and newspapers across the country, including The New York Times, The New York Post and The New Yorker.
Don’t be fooled, though, the show is far from a one-stunt pony. At its core, Juli’s work is deeply personal – it was inspired by the dreaded “money conversation” she had with her then-fiancé when planning their financial future. But as she creates a dialogue with the audience each night, her inquiry becomes universal. By examining her own relationship to money, she dares each of us to re-assess ours. How you react to her physical antics and her probing questions will reveal how you view and value money in your life.
A trained dancer, choreographer, actor and anthropologist, Juli commands the stage with her physicality as she interacts with her money and with the audience. Her comedic timing recalls Lucille Ball, while the poignant subject matter gives the show dramatic weight.
Don’t miss this rich and thought provoking work by the young and multi-talented Sara Juli. The Money Conversation plays one-night only at the Napa Valley Opera House. Saturday July 29th 8pm
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