'Wakey, Wakey' production covers life, death, and everything in between

Fusion Theatre opens its 2025 theater season with “Wakey, Wakey,” bringing the story of life, its meanings and connections to the stage.

The play follows Guy, on the verge of death, who is asking the existential question, “Why are we here?” and looking back at his life in a monologue style show that has only one other character.

Robb Anthony Sisneros, show director, said the play’s two characters are Guy (John San Nicolas) and Lisa (Alicia Lueras Maldonado).

To Sisneros, the message of the show is about the journey of life, not the end of it.

“I don’t look at it as being a message or a show of doom and death,” Sisneros said. “It is a clear message of life and connections and how it is better for us to be able to connect in saying hello than saying goodbye.”

The show was written by William Eno and debuted in 2017 in New York City.

Sisneros said the team’s production will overlap with the original play, but he tries not to make it a duplicate.

“When I approach a script, I tend to not want to do a lot of investigating on past productions, because then it doesn’t allow the team to sort of live outside of that shadow,” Sisneros said. “And it’s easier to create a new artistic vision with the same script and telling the same story.”

He said he enjoyed the script because it was not a “rehashing of what we’ve seen in other plays” and audience members can learn something new.

“It allows them the opportunity to be able to experience it without walking out thinking, well, I saw this 10, 12, 15, 20 years ago with other actors in a different setting,” Sisneros said. “And this allows them to just experience the moment and take that with them.”

Fusion’s 2025 fall season is titled “PROFOUND,” and will include two more shows: “One Flea Spare” and “1st Street Cabaret.”

Sisneros, who has been involved with the theater for years, including acting in its first production, said “Wakey, Wakey” was chosen as the season opener in part to honor people involved with Fusion’s start and growth who have died recently.

“So it’s a celebration of life, not just as a general message, but it’s a general part and opener to this season that is sort of dedicated to these individuals,” he said.