Sean Patrick Judge goes solo in Will Eno's existential comedy, Thom Pain (based on nothing), a finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize. Judge, managing director of Nova Arts Project, plays Thom Pain, a man in a suit with a mission to entertain, confuse, and tell shreds of a story about his life. Eno was named the Samuel Beckett of the Jon Stewart generation by The New York Times. Judge dishes on the Nova's production opening this week: Photo by Sarah White: Sean Patrick Judge

29-95: Thom Pain, as in Thomas Paine?

Sean Patrick Judge: Eno set out to write about Thomas Paine but went a completely different direction.

29-95: This is a one-man show and you are the one man. Feeling any pressure?

SPJ: I am feeling a little bit of pressure, it's been a long time since I have done a one-man show. It was in college and I sort of forgot about it. This is different though, because I engage the audience directly.

29-95: You were terrific as Jim Lehrer in The Catastrophic Theatre's production of The Strangerer. I can't even watch Lehrer anymore, I wanna say, “give it up Jim, Judge does you better.” Are you drawing from your experience in playing the straight man in this show?

SPJ: Yes, in that the Lehrer character was absolutely in the world of reality; even when the most surreal things were happening to him, he never broke out of playing it straight.

29-95: How did Eno's play end up on your radar?

Matt [Huff, the director] had seen the play in Atlanta and asked me if I would be interested in being in it regardless of who was producing it. I am sad to say that I wasn't aware of Eno's work.

29-95: There's a strange rhythm to the play. Thom Pain takes us into these dark ideas, then starts talking about shopping, pulling us back with idle chit chat. It's a little unsettling.

SPJ: The back and forth changes are a challenge. As an actor, I want to know my motivation. But lucky for us, Will Eno has been in complete contact with us. He's been very open to telling us the thoughts behind his ideas. All people are complex and can be of two minds at the same time.

29-95: There's a bit of stand-up comic feel to the piece, but more of the caustic kind, like comedians who were not always funny, and who are from more theatrical traditions. Do you agree?

SPJ: I do, though it's funny you should say that because we have been working against that because Eno wants us to come from a place of real experience.

29-95: A comic does that.

SPJ: True, but a comic doesn't necessary believe there is a reality to it. Last night I was watching an old of Real Time with Bill Maher. He says jokes are lies. Thom believes and experiences all of the things he talks about.

29-95: The play is pretty funny, especially the missing punchline jokes.

SPJ: Sure, but he doesn't think he's being funny. He's deadly serious.

29-95: Is it really based on nothing?

JPJ: Well, yes, I think it is based on nothing in particular.

Nova Arts Project presents Will Eno's Thom Pain (based on nothing), June 19-July 3, 8 p.m. at DiverseWorks. General admission $15, students/senior $10. Pay what you can 2 p.m. July 4. Call 800-595-4849 or visit www.novaartsproject.com for tickets.