Given a choice between possible stage fright and the kind of fear that comes with looking down from a great height Kevin Flynn is more inclined towards the former.
He is comfortable enough taking on that former while being familiar with the latter. Call it a family thing.
Flynn, a polymath actor, comedian, producer, writer and researcher into his Irish American roots, is taking to the stage for one night in New York at the end of this month of October. His one man performance is entitled "Fear of Heights."
This has nothing to do with the altitude of the stage; rather it focuses on a famous photograph depicting iron workers having their lunch bestride an iron girder below which there is, well, a void.
"Fear of Heights" is described as the story of an Irish-American kid who took a different career path from his father and grandfather, who were both New York City ironworkers.
His grandfather, Paddy Flynn, was memorialized in the iconic Charles C. Ebbets photograph, “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper."
He is the gentleman sitting on the far right of a beam high above the Manhattan skyline.
Kevin was naturally expected to be among the third generation of Flynn men to be a Brooklyn ironworker; however, Kevin had a different plan. And that plan has entailed standing up on a solid surface as opposed to sitting on an iron beam.
As one publicity release put it: "Kevin Flynn’s heartwarming and hilarious story of an Irish American kid’s phobias, family life and the meaning of success. Flynn’s grandfather, a tough, Irish steelworker, may have been unafraid to perch precariously on a steel beam high above the New York skyline — but young Kevin finds himself dreaming of the bright lights of Hollywood instead. "
The bright lights have been directed at Flynn in more than one movie.
Again, as per Flynn's online profile: "Kevin Flynn is an award winning actor, writer, producer, host, and comedian. Kevin can be seen in “The Heartbreak Kid” with Ben Stiller; in “Me, Myself and Irene” with Jim Carrey; in “Osmosis Jones” with Bill Murray; and as Charlotte’s Boyfriend in HBO’s “Sex and the City”. His character, Bram Walker, was voted one of the most popular boyfriends in the series. Kevin recently completed a role in the movie “The World's Greatest Beer Run” with Russell Crowe and Zac Efron. While constantly acting and performing standup around the country, Kevin also works as a host and entertainer in the sports world. Flynn has covered World Cup Soccer for Fox Sports, ESPN, and ABC. Kevin was the host of The Discovery Channel’s Go For It, an extreme outdoor adventure show where he swam with sharks, jumped out of airplanes, and scaled dangerous peaks.
"In 'Fear Of Heights' Flynn examines the American experience through the lens of his Irish immigrant family. Flynn’s father and grandfather were both steelworkers, which inspired the title of the show. The show explores themes such as what it means to be a man, and how one generation measures success relative to their forebears."
The "Lunch Atop a Skyscraper" photo was taken on September 20, 1932. The ironworkers are sitting on a steel beam of the RCA Building, 850 feet above the ground during the construction of Rockefeller Center in Manhattan. Suffice it to say it qualifies handily as a "don't try this at home" thing.
Lunch Atop A Skyscraper
Flynn told the Echo in a zoom interview from his home in Los Angeles: “I’m truly looking forward to bringing Fear of Heights to New York City for the first time.
"The story in many ways is about New York itself, about the immigrant experience and the contributions that generations have made to help build this city and its county.
"It’s also my way of acknowledging the gifts of being a second-generation American, and offering thanks to those who came before me.”
"Fear of Heights," written and performed by Kevin Flynn is being staged for one night on Tuesday, October 27, 7 p.m. at Theatre Row and is specifically part of the festival lineup at 410 West 42nd Street in Manhattan. Ticket availability from the United Solo Theatre Festival Official Website, https://theatrerow.ludus.com/ or the Theatre Row Box Office Listing.
