Punkass Pastry - The Bakery
Since 2016, Punkass Pastry has been a pop-up bakery in the Chicagoland area. Click our News link here to see how we’ve been raising funds and appearing at fundraising events for non-profit organizations and people in need. Adapting to new life during and after the pandemic, we had to take a hiatus from preparing food, so we have been exploring new ways to do good things.
We are excited to announce an original creative endeavor for Page and Stage. A hopeful story about a group of friends coming together to open a Peace Museum, despite the challenges of those resisting a progressive society.
Punkass Pastry - The Graphic Novel
We are drawing our story, set in present-day Chicago, featuring contemporary themes - inclusion, diversity, peace. Our message is “Keep moving forward, think good thoughts, and make it a good day.”
In 2024, look for “Punkass Pastry - The Graphic Novel” to be published by Outskirts Press.
Punkass Pastry - The Play
Dear Hopeful, Happy People:
Punkass Pastry - the play - is a story of a neighborhood Peace Museum which shares a message of inclusion and empowerment for all. Punkass Pastry was to be staged as a story within an immersive experience. Guests enter “The Peace Museum,” and while browsing exhibits, they would be served complimentary treats and beverages by Punkass Pastry bakery volunteers of all ages and be inspired by guest speakers and musical performances. Lights blink, guests take their seats, and our production begins. Peace Out!!!
In the play, Arny, is told The Peace Museum is his life’s work. When it is assaulted, he is troubled. Rather than bury his heart under the museum’s remains, Arny’s vision widens. He and his friends encourage the world to create their own sacred peace centers, large and small, wherever their hearts roam.
Punkass Pastry was written by John Jay 5 months before the 2021 insurrection. In this case, and to the shock of our team, life imitated art. Though our upcoming production of Punkass Pastry at The Den Theatre was promoted as a “Love Letter to Peace Makers and Tree Huggers,” all do not share enthusiasm for our story.
Since Punkass Pastry was written, the “acceptance” of the insurrection continues to fan the flames of those out to purify the world. With each new disturbing incident, the weight of responsibility grows. The risk of our little play being perceived as instigation to battle is very real. Instead of this project being part of our lives’ work, should violence occur, it would instead be a thorn in our side. A painful decision had to be made. Quietly, we pulled our performances. Make love, not war.
Never give up! Much is happening behind the scenes as we move forward with our vision of equality, kindness, and love for all. We are developing the Punkass Pastry story to be more accessible than we ever imagined. 2024 here we come!
Valentine’s weekend 2021, we began workshopping our story for the stage. This is a process that relies heavily on the talent and generous spirit of our amazing actors - Joe Bushell, Luci Choe, Cisco Lopez, Liz Norton, Zachary Owen, Medina Perine, Faiz Siddique, and Dane Valerio.
Have a peek at scenes from our first virtual reading. Our story and video clips include sensitive matters which are common in today’s diverse society.
