Canary in a Gold Mine
In Person and Private Online Screenings for Institutions, Universities and Groups Available:
Streaming + Follow up Panel Options | Contact us>
Reviews & Press
"Very funny . . . Mirin is a performer with energy to burn." – nytheatre.com
Locked down during COVID and desperate to make theatre, Piti Theatre’s Jonathan Mirin turns the camera on . . . himself, telling the story of the mysterious symptoms his life and production partner Godeliève began experiencing a decade ago. Increasingly unable to leave the house and take care of their new baby, the couple contends with the growing likelihood that her illness is environmental – and inescapable. Godeliève‘s severe neurological symptoms are triggered by exposure to the wireless radiation that the rest of society is passionately embracing to connect devices and upload cat videos. As her electro-hypersensitivity (EHS), (a.k.a. “microwave sickness.”) worsened, Mirin found himself compelled to become a public health advocate, activist & petitioner in a landmark legal case against the FCC.
From the Chat:
" . . . so incredibly done!! So funny and captivating, while sharing all the serious info!"
"Thank you this was awesome"
"I'm crying!!!!!"
"Jonathan [is] an elegant host - personable and entertaining but also engaging . . . An excellent way to treat the topic, finely balanced between palatable and disturbing."
– Chris Rohmann, The Valley Advocate
"Canary in a Gold Mine" is a major contribution. My hats off to Jonathan and the creative team who created this piece of art that has major impacts of importance to all of us."
– David Carpenter, MD, University of Albany School of Public Health
"Watching Jonathan Mirin's intimate monologue about how he comes to accept and cope with his wife's experience of electro-hypersensitivity (EHS) really connected me directly to the issue."
- Gail M. Burns, Berkshire On Stage
Jonathan's previous solos 28 FEET and Riding the Wave.com have toured nationally and internationally to critical acclaim.
The performance can be combined with:
- a talkback with Jonathan and/or experts in the field designed to encourage collective reflection on the themes of the show
- a storytelling workshop led by Jonathan designed to help environmental illness sufferers, medical professionals, caregivers, journalists and others craft more impactful presentations for politicians, the media, the telecom industry, and your community.
Goals for this performance...
Feel
Create a safe space for the audience to experience emotions around environmental illness that have not been fully expressed or understood.
Engage
Increase community engagement and advocacy: the show will help put a human face on what can feel like a dizzying array of statistics and diagnoses.
Promote
Generate media coverage: Journalists have consistently addressed issues like EMF and pesticides through the lens of Piti Theatre performances. Piti's work has been featured in the New York Times, The Boston Globe, The International Herald Tribune, The San Jose Mercury News and many regional and local publications, TV stations, blogs, etc.
Schedule
The Pre-COVID Stage Version . . .
"Truly insightful! Jonathan introduces a crucial conversation . . . A welcome comedic relief . . . " - Nichola Lake, Boulder
"I had never heard of wireless causing health effects and this show was a great introduction to the issue. I'm going to look into ways to protect myself." - Rhonda W., Greenfield, MA
"Canary in the Gold Mine raises significant health concerns which most of us may be unaware of as we rush headlong into a 5G world. Jonathan Mirin is an engaging performer who addresses these issues while keeping his audience entertained." - John Peet, Regina, Canada
Canandian Fringe Festivals
Regina International Fringe Theatre Festival
Regina, Saskatchewan
July 10–July 14, 2019
Calgary Fringe Festival
Calgary, Alberta
August 2–August 10, 2019
Hosting a Streaming or Screening
The performance is currently available to be scheduled for streaming events internationally. Captions and subtitling available.
If you have any questions about the production, contact us using the form below or call 001 - 508 - 439–2069.
Thank you Sponsors!
Reviews & Reactions to previous solos 28 FEET and Riding the Wave.com
“Mirin manages to find comedy in his struggle as he bounces between 20 different characters during this celebrated hourlong production.”
– Boston Magazine, “7 Events Worth Your Time This Month”
“There’s nothing funny about chronic illness….yet a little bit of laughter might just be a dose of the best medicine. Operating within the boundaries defined by those two sentiments is Jonathan Mirin, armed with his poignant and very funny one-man show.”
– Jon Potter, Brattleboro Reformer
"Very funny . . . Mirin is a performer with energy to burn."
— nytheatre.com
“Mirin manages to make the story universal, not just his own…a warm and winning chronicle about self-knowledge, growth, and the complex quest for health.”
– Jules Becker, The Jewish Advocate
On Jonathan's Workshops
“I particularly enjoyed the work on body language, details and ways we can adjust a story for an audience.”
– Dan Bahls, Staff Attorney, Community Legal Aid, Springfield, Massachusetts
“Extremely useful – [made me] think about organizational dynamics in new ways.”
- Joan Whitaker, Director, Action for Boston Community Development Health Services
“Jonathan brings a rare combination of gifts: theater arts, meditation, organization behavior, and just plain common sense . . . [he] has written plays and scenarios dramatically illuminating organizational issues.”
- Barry Oshry, Chief Theoretical Officer, Power and Systems
About Jonathan Mirin
Jonathan Mirin’s plays have been performed in New York, regionally and internationally.
His performance in Riding the Wave.com was nominated for a 2004 and 2008 Independent Reviewers of New England for Best Solo Performance, Small Company.
His solo performance about growing up with Crohn's disease, 28 FEET, was widely acclaimed by audiences and critics.
In 2014, he launched Piti Theatre's Bee Week program, promoting pollinator health and wireless reduction efforts in communities around New England.
Jonathan has integrated his theatre background with training and consulting work for The Central Park Conservancy, Power & Systems, European Organization Design Forum, the New York City Public Schools, World Education, and other organizations.