Tag Archives: evolutionary psychology

Baba Brinkman and the science of dating (Ingenious Nature show previews in New York)

I have mentioned Baba Brinkman before in the context of his Rap Guide to Evolution which is performed live and is available on CD. Tonight (Friday, Nov. 23, 2012), he previews a new show in New York, Ingenious Nature (from Baba’s Nov. 20, 2012 posting on his website),

INGENIOUS NATURE is a new off-Broadway show set to premiere on Friday at the Soho Playhouse. In the show I go on a series of dates with women I meet through OK Cupid (a dating website), while using evolutionary psychology as a roadmap to help understand the conflicts of interest and personality-clashes that ensue. Will I find a match worthy of parental investment? I date a creationist and explore the “behavioural immune system” theory of social conservatism, and a new-age yoga instructor teaches me about the seven chakras, which turn out to have a loose correlate in the psych lit as well. Putting theory into practice is wild ride when it comes to the science of mating.

Jamie Simmonds produced all the music for the show, and is also featured prominently in it as a character, performing virtuoso live turntablism to provide a distinctive sound and mood for each scene, as well as driving the storytelling ahead with comments and scratch quotes. Add a design team that includes Jason Boyd on lights (Q: “Can you make the theatre look like a Mobb Deep concert?” A: “Sure, I lit Mobb Deep’s last concert, so that shouldn’t be too hard”) and Erik Pearson (Canterbury Tales Remixed) on video projections, and you end up with something pretty spectacular.

There is a special deal (from Brinkman’s posting),

Darren Lee Cole, the artistic director of the Soho Playhouse, is directing the production with aplomb, and keeping me in check. Here’s an e-blast Darren just sent out, which includes a couple of awesome (limited time only) discount ticket deals for the show. If you will be in NYC between now and January 6th

Here you go

Single tickets normally $45 for $25 using code SOHO!

Or

Subscribe to the Soho Playhouse season: 3 tickets for $99

Break a leg, Baba!