The following is an interview with Christi Pedigo regarding the launch of the production, Bunny the Elf LIVE!, at the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Pedigo about the inspiration behind the production, the creative process of preparing for a one-woman show, what she hopes that audiences will take away from the show, how you can purchase tickets, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: The production, Bunny the Elf LIVE!, will be appearing at the Hollywood Fringe Festival this summer. For our readers who may be unfamiliar with the show, how would you describe its premise?
Christi Pedigo: Well, it’s gonna be Christmas in June! Bunny is a Musical Theatre Nerd whose parents force her to give up her dreams and get a real job in the real world, and she ends up as a Christmas Elf at a toy store. It’s a really sweet coming-of-age story about finding where one’s talents, or lack thereof, fit in the world.
BD: As the writer and solo performer of the show, what inspired the creation of this project?
CP: I saw David Sedaris’ SantaLand Diaries and I thought to myself, “Wow, Bunny would give this guy a run for his money!” So, I went home and wrote the solo show in one week!
BD: What can you tell us about your creative process in bringing Bunny the Elf to life?
CP: I created Bunny in 2014 for my YouTube Channel in the Vlog style series “Hire Me” about a clueless and sheltered girl trying to get her first job. My husband Jeremy Travis suggested that for Christmas, I should give Bunny a job as an elf, because I had actually worked as an elf at FAO Schwarz in NYC on 5th Ave and was always telling funny stories about it. That’s how Bunny the Elf was born!
BD: What do you hope that audiences will take away from the show?
CP: I hope they enjoy Bunny’s journey and they feel inspired to never give up. Even if you don’t get to be what you always thought you would be, even if you don’t feel like you fit in or belong, just keep being you and you will find your place in the world.
BD: What makes the Hollywood Fringe Festival the best venue for Bunny the Elf?
CP: The Hollywood Fringe Festival has been like a Producer’s Bootcamp! The informative workshops, town halls, and meet ups have taught me so much about producing and creating my own show. I am super grateful to the Fringe Staff and Veterans who are so helpful, kind, and just genuinely great humans! I’m hoping that the Fringe Festival will be a springboard to launch Bunny into the next phase, whether it’s a tour, TV/Film, Netflix, or Off Broadway… I’m not picky!
BD: The show will be appearing at the Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre from June 9-29, 2019. Are there any future plans to perform the show at other venues?
CP: Yes! Bunny the Elf LIVE! is already booked at Stages Theatre in Fullerton, CA, on Nov. 30th and Dec. 4th at 4:30 p.m. I’m hoping to have more venues booked after the festival.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects that you would care to share with our readers?
CP: Oh, yes! I recently had a guest star role in an award winning web series, Just the Tip, about a group of a actors that will be released on YouTube soon. I have my own production company and recently filmed a funny series with my friend called Are We Rolling? which is a spoof about the self-tape audition process. And I have a Mommy character on my YouTube Channel that I am hoping to turn into more than just a short web series. I also have a Bunny TV series ready to go, and I’m working on a feature script about Bunny. Whew!
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell readers who want to learn more about and purchase tickets for Bunny the Elf LIVE!?
CP: Tickets for Bunny the Elf LIVE! on 6/9, 6/20, and 6/29 are at hff19.org/5705. You can follow me on my Christi Pedigo Facebook page, Instagram (@pedigoblue), and Twitter (@christipedigo) for the latest. And definitely check out my Christi Pedigo YouTube Channel or search for me on Amazon Prime Video for some fun videos! Thank you!
